ESPN Ranks Pirates, Pens & Steelers High In Annual 'Ultimate Standings'
ESPN has released their annual ranking of every team in all four major professional sports leagues.
ESPN talked to the fans to compile the list. Some of the key factors included, player likability, affordability, winning teams, etc.
The top team in this year's "Ultimate Standings" is the San Antonio Spurs.
So, where do Pittsburgh's teams rank on the list?
Coming in at No. 8 overall were the Pirates!
Not only were the Pirates the highest ranked team from the 'Burgh, they were the top-ranked team in all of baseball!
Here's what ESPN had to say about the Pirates:
"From the Pirates' gorgeous waterfront ballpark to their suddenly energized fan base, you could argue that the love affair between Pittsburgh and its baseball franchise is at its all-time peak. And in fact, the Pirates are the only team in our rankings to have moved up every year since 2010 -- from 82nd all the way to eighth, the top-ranked baseball team this year."
Next on the list? The Steelers at No. 30 overall. Within the NFL, the Steelers ranked eighth overall.
For some reason, Baltimore was ranked fourth overall among NFL teams, which leads us to question the validity of this entire thing.
Anyway, here's what ESPN had to say about the Steelers:
"The Steelers are never far from the top in these rankings -- in the 13 years of these rankings, they've never ranked lower than 38, which was last year -- thanks to the stability (and perennial high rankings) the Rooney family provides, as well as a storied championship history that seems possible to grow in any given year (their title track has placed in the top 10 every year since 2007). The team jumped eight spots in this year's rankings and enters 2015-16 with high expectations after an 11-win season in 2014."
That only leaves the Penguins from our fair city, who ranked just behind the Steelers at No. 31 overall.
Like the Steelers, the Penguins ranked eighth overall among NHL teams. If you're wondering, the Flyers were ranked No. 81 overall and were No. 25 in the NHL. Take THAT!
Anyway, here's what ESPN had to say about the Penguins:
"Just two years ago, the Penguins were standing at a tall No. 7 in our overall rankings. It's a mark of just how high fans' expectations are that, after a ninth straight playoff appearance (a first-round loss to the Rangers in a season in which the roster was crippled by injuries), they fell another six spots to No. 31 overall. Don't cry, Pittsburgh: There's always 2009."
With every ranking list like this, there has to be a big loser. So, which team has the distinction of coming in dead last in ESPN's rankings?
The Toronto Maple Leafs.
It's ok Toronto, we still love you.
Other notables from the overall rankings:
- No. 12 – St. Louis Cardinals
- No. 55 - Washington Capitals
- No. 109 – Cleveland Browns
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