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Three Rivers Stadium
Stadium of Champions
Aerial view of Three Rivers Stadium, circa 2000
Location 300 Stadium Circle
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 (now demolished)
Opened July 16, 1970
Closed December 16, 2000
Demolished February 11, 2001
Owner City of Pittsburgh
Operator SMG
Surface Tartanturf (1970-1982)
AstroTurf (1983-2000)
Construction cost $55 million
Architect Deeter Ritchy Sipple, Michael Baker, Jr. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. SMG, formerly known as Spectacor Management Group is a worldwide property management group that specializes in managing publicly owned facilities headquartered in Philadelphia Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) AstroTurf is a brand of Artificial turf. Though the term is a Registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been and Osborn Engineering
Tenants Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) (1970-2000)
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) (1970-2000)
University of Pittsburgh (NCAA) (2000)
Pittsburgh Maulers (USFL) (1984)
Capacity 47,971 (baseball)
59,000 (football)
Field dimensions Left Field - 340 ft (1970), 335 ft (1975)
Left-Center - 385 ft (1970), 375 ft (1975)
Center Field - 410 ft (1970), 400 ft (1975)
Right-Center - 385 ft (1970), 375 ft (1975)
Right Field - 340 ft (1970), 335 ft (1975)
Backstop - 60 ft

Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose sports stadium and event facility located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 through 2000. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a non-sectarian coeducational independent state-related, "public" research University The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Pittsburgh Maulers were a team which competed in the 1984 season of the United States Football League Their most prominent player was running back Mike Rozier For the proposed "New USFL" see United States Football League (2010. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) A modern stadium (plural stadiums or stadia in English is a place or venue for (mostly outdoor Sports Concerts or other events consisting Artistic Gymnastics World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Men's all-around champion Eizo Kenmotsu, Japan Athletics For an extensive coverage see 2000 in athletics (track and field Marathon International

The stadium's name was derived from the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, where they formed the Ohio River, the "Golden Triangle". The Monongahela River (məˌnɒŋɡəˈheɪlə also known locally as the Mon /ˈmɒn/ is a River on the Allegheny Plateau in North-Central The Allegheny River is a principal Tributary of the Ohio River and is located in the Eastern United States. The Ohio River is the largest Tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. The stadium was located on the north side of the confluence. Confluence, in Geography, describes the meeting of two or more Bodies of water.

Design

The stadium's design was nearly circular, attempting to facilitate use by the Pirates and Steelers with equal accommodation. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, as was the case with other cities in which this so-called "cookie cutter stadium" approach was employed (Washington, New York, Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Oakland, San Diego, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia), the fundamentally different shapes of the playing fields made the stadium inadequate to the needs of either sport. Multi-purpose stadiums are a type of Stadium designed for use by multiple teams playing Baseball, American football, soccer, and in some Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium, better known as RFK Stadium or RFK, is a professional sports Stadium in Washington D William A Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea (ʃeɪ̪ is a Stadium located in the New York City borough For the aeronautical use see Astrodome (aviation Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, sometimes shortened to "Fulton County Stadium" was a multi-use ( Baseball, football, Soccer, Rock concert Busch Memorial Stadium, or Busch Stadium was the home of the St Qualcomm Stadium (aka " The Q " " The Murph " formerly known as San Diego Stadium and Jack Murphy Stadium Riverfront Stadium, later known as Cinergy Field, (2002 was the home of the Cincinnati Reds National League Baseball team and the Philadelphia Veterans Stadium (informally called "The Vet") was a professional sports facility located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Even by "cookie cutter" standards, the upper deck at Three Rivers (known to regular stadium-goers as "Peanut Heaven") was exceptionally high, making for steep climbs by event attendees and adding to its cavernous feel. By the 1990s, the use of multiple low-bid contractors in its construction began to show, as parts of the concrete began to turn differing shades of brown.

History

In 1958, the Pirates sold Forbes Field to the University of Pittsburgh, who wanted the land for expanded graduate facilities. Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Forbes Field was a Baseball park in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania from 1909 to 1971 The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a non-sectarian coeducational independent state-related, "public" research University A graduate school or ("grad school" is a school that awards advanced degrees such as doctoral degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned Pitt then leased Forbes back to the Pirates until a new multipurpose stadium could be built. The Steelers opted to play at Pitt Stadium in the meantime. Pitt Stadium was a stadium in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania that hosted football, Track and field, and other events starting

A site on the North Side had been chosen earlier in the year, but it took until April 25, 1968 to finally break ground. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Three Rivers Stadium opened on July 16, 1970, and was home to the Pirates, Steelers and the USFL Maulers, as well as to concerts, monster truck rallies, professional wrestling shows, Billy Graham-type revivals, high school football playoffs, and other events. Events 622 - The beginning of the Islamic calendar. 1054 - Three Roman legates fractured relations between the Western and Artistic Gymnastics World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Men's all-around champion Eizo Kenmotsu, Japan For the proposed "New USFL" see United States Football League (2010. Pittsburgh Maulers were a team which competed in the 1984 season of the United States Football League Their most prominent player was running back Mike Rozier A concert is a live Performance, usually of Music, before an Audience. A monster truck is an Automobile, typically styled after Pickup trucks modified or purposely built with extremely large Wheels and suspension. Professional wrestling, or pro wrestling, is a non-competitive professional Sport, where all matches are scripted by the promotion's booking staff William Franklin Graham Jr KBE (born November 7 1918 better known as Billy Graham, is an evangelist and an Evangelical Christian In all, Three Rivers Stadium hosted over 5,000 events in its 30 years of existence, but it was seen as an outdated facility in the "luxury box" and "signature stadium" era of the 21st century.

The Honus Wagner Statue outside Gate C
The Honus Wagner Statue outside Gate C

The stadium did have its moments of glory and drama, mostly in its first decade of existence. Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner (ˈhɑnəs ˈwæɡnɚ February 24 1874 &ndash December 6 1955) nicknamed " The Flying Dutchman The Pirates won the 1971 and 1979 World Series while playing here, upsetting the favored Baltimore Orioles in both series. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1971 World Series featured the first night game in World Series history (Game 4). Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. A night game is a sporting event that takes place completely or partially after the local sunset Roberto Clemente ended his career while playing here, garnering 3,000 hits before his death in a plane crash while transporting earthquake relief supplies in December 1972. Roberto Clemente Walker (August 18 1934 &ndash December 31 1972 was a professional baseball player and a Major League Baseball Right fielder. An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates Seismic waves Earthquakes are recorded with a Seismometer Slugger Willie Stargell established himself as a fan favorite. Wilver Dornell "Willie" Stargell ( March 6, 1940 &ndash April 9, 2001) nicknamed " Pops " in the later years of The Pirates also made the playoffs during 1990-1991-1992, only to be defeated by the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati Ohio, USA Since then, the competitive disproportions of the big-contract era in baseball has made it extremely difficult for small market teams like the Pirates to be competitive. Three Rivers also hosted the 1974 and 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Games. Artistic Gymnastics World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Men's all-around champion Shigeru Kasamatsu, Japan Athletics For an extensive coverage see 1994 in athletics (track and field Track February 20 &mdash The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League Pirate pitcher Ken Brett was the winning pitcher (and only Pirate) in the 1974 game. Kenneth Alven ("Kemer" Brett ( September 18, 1948 - November 18, 2003) was a Major League Baseball pitcher and On October 1, 2000, the Pirates held their last game ever at Three Rivers Stadium against the Chicago Cubs when they lost 10-9. The Chicago Cubs are a Professional Baseball franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. The Pirates threw a celebration after the game when the team moved home plate to PNC Park while it was under construction. PNC Park is a Baseball park located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Both Superstation WGN and FSN Pittsburgh were among the networks that televised the last game ever at Three Rivers. WGN America (formerly known as "Superstation WGN" or "WGN Superstation" is a Chicago -based American Superstation for WGN-TV, owned FSN Pittsburgh (sometimes referred to as Fox Sports Pittsburgh) is a cable channel controlled by Fox Sports Net.

The Steelers enjoyed their greatest era while playing at Three Rivers, culminating in four championship trophies in six years during the 1970s with wins in Super Bowl IX, Super Bowl X, Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. Super Bowl IX was an American football game played on January 12, 1975 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans Louisiana to decide Super Bowl X was an American football game played on January 18, 1976 at the Orange Bowl in Miami Florida to decide the Super Bowl XIII was an American football game played on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami Florida to decide the National Super Bowl XIV was an American football game played on January 20 1980 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena California to decide the National Football No NFL team has since replicated or bettered the feat of winning four Super Bowls in six years. The Steelers, coached by Chuck Noll, featured quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running back Franco Harris, receiver Lynn Swann, and defender "Mean" Joe Greene, who anchored the "Steel Curtain. Charles Henry Noll (born January 5 1932) is a former professional American football player and coach most notably the head coach of the Pittsburgh Quarterback ( QB) is a position in American and Canadian football. Terry Paxton Bradshaw (born September 2 1948 is a former American football Quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League A running back ( RB) is the position of a player on an American or Canadian football team who usually lines up in the offensive backfield. Franco Harris (born March 7 1950 is a former American football player best known for his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former professional football player and sports broadcaster In Association football (soccer a defender is a player who tries to prevent the other team from scoring Charles Edward Greene, known as "Mean Joe" Greene, (born September 24, 1946) is a former all-pro American football Defensive tackle The Steel Curtain was the nickname given to the front four of the famous defensive line of the American football team Pittsburgh Steelers during their " The "Immaculate Reception" occurred here, in a 1972 AFC playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. The Immaculate Reception is the nickname given to one of the most famous plays in the history of American football. The American Football Conference ( AFC) is one of the two conferences of the National Football League (NFL The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. In the 1990s the Steelers, coached by Bill Cowher, again made the Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXX), only to lose to the Dallas Cowboys. William Laird Cowher (born May 8, 1957) is a former American football coach and player Super Bowl XXX was an American football game played on January 28, 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe Arizona to decide the The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National One of the biggest upsets in NFL history (as well as one the worst losses in club history) occurred on January 15, 1995, when the San Diego Chargers scored a late-game goal line stand and upset the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, 17-13, despite a then-AFC Championship Game Record 347 passing yards by quarterback Neil O'Donnell. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego California. The American Football Conference Championship Game, otherwise known as AFC Championship Game, is one of the two Semi-final matches of the National Football League Neil Kennedy O'Donnell (born July 3, 1966 in Morristown, New Jersey) is a former American football Quarterback A year later, on January 14, 1996, the franchise clinched its fifth conference title with a 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game, surviving a last-second Hail Mary pass attempt by the Colts' Jim Harbaugh that just barely fell incomplete. Events 1129 - Formal approval of the Order of the Templar at the Council of Troyes. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis Indiana. A Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary play in American football is a Forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh (born December 23, 1963 in Toledo Ohio) is the American football head coach for the Stanford Cardinal The stadium would go on to host one more conference title game, on January 11, 1998, as the Steelers fell, 24-21, to John Elway and the eventual Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) John Albert Elway Jr (born June 28, 1960) is a retired Hall of Fame American football Quarterback. The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. As it turned out, it was the last NFL playoff game ever played at Three Rivers Stadium.

For the 2000 football season, Three Rivers Stadium was the interim home for the Pittsburgh Panthers football team, after Pitt Stadium shut down in 1999. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly referred to as the Pitt Panthers are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Penn State and their storied coach Joe Paterno visited Three Rivers during this season, with Pitt winning 12-0 in the last game to date between these old rivals. The Penn State Nittany Lions are the athletic teams of Pennsylvania State University. Joseph Vincent Paterno (born December 21, 1926, in Brooklyn New York) nicknamed JoePa, is the head coach of Pennsylvania State University's The stadium officially shut down for good following the Steelers' 24-3 win over the Washington Redskins on Saturday, December 16, 2000. The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team based in the Washington D Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. Prior to the start of the game, the Steelers honored all of their greatest players to ever play at Three Rivers Stadium. The last game ever was broadcast by FOX. Eight weeks later on the early morning of Sunday, February 11, 2001, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Pirates moved into a baseball-specific facility, PNC Park, situated to the east of the old stadium site, along the north bank of the Allegheny River. PNC Park is a Baseball park located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The Allegheny River is a principal Tributary of the Ohio River and is located in the Eastern United States. Later that year, the Steelers, along with the University of Pittsburgh football team, moved into football-specific Heinz Field, built right next to the old stadium site to the west, along the north bank of the Ohio River. Heinz Field is an American football Stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Ohio River is the largest Tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. The "Gate D" sign to the stadium, near Heinz Field, is what is left of Three Rivers Stadium. Fans were allowed to take home Three Rivers Stadium's seats and turf, among other things after the implosion in 2001. The UPMC Sportsworks Center contains seats from Three Rivers Stadium. On November 26, 2007, an historical plaque was dedicated by the "Gate D" area in honor of Three Rivers Stadium. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Bold indicates won by the Pirates, Steelers, and Pitt. History First played in 1895 the game has historically been one of the more intense rivalries in the Eastern United States. The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly referred to as the Pitt Panthers are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh. West Virginia University is a Coeducational public Research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.

External links

Preceded by
Forbes Field		 Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
1970 – 2000		 Succeeded by
PNC Park
Preceded by
Pitt Stadium		 Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers
1970 – 2000		 Succeeded by
Heinz Field
Preceded by
Pitt Stadium		 Home of the University of Pittsburgh
2000		 Succeeded by
Heinz Field
Preceded by
Royal Stadium
Oriole Park at Camden Yards		 Host of the All-Star Game
1974
1994		 Succeeded by
Milwaukee County Stadium
The Ballpark in Arlington

Forbes Field was a Baseball park in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania from 1909 to 1971 The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PNC Park is a Baseball park located in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Pitt Stadium was a stadium in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania that hosted football, Track and field, and other events starting Heinz Field is an American football Stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pitt Stadium was a stadium in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania that hosted football, Track and field, and other events starting The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a non-sectarian coeducational independent state-related, "public" research University Heinz Field is an American football Stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ewing M Kauffman Stadium (ˈkɔfmən formerly Royals Stadium) is a Major League Baseball Stadium located in Kansas City Missouri, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a ballpark located in Baltimore Maryland, which was completed in 1992 to replace the aging Memorial Stadium. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League Milwaukee County Stadium (or just County Stadium in context was a ballpark in Milwaukee Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000 Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is a ballpark in Arlington Texas, located between Dallas and Fort Worth Texas.
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