Photograph by Walter Iooss Jr.

"But what Pittsburgh likes most about both of these guys is that they are champions, most valuable players in their respective sports. And largely because of them, bumper stickers and billboards all over town now boast that Pittsburgh is 'The City of Champions.' So it is."

Text by Ron Fimrite
Issue Date: December 24, 1979

In 1979 Willie "Pops" Stargell led the Pittsburgh Pirates back from a three games to one deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in a seven-game World Series. Stargell, a first baseman, was named MVP of the Series, in which he had 12 hits, including three homers. The personable Stargell also set the tone in the Pirates clubhouse, which adopted the disco anthem We Are Family as its theme song.

Earlier in the year, quarterback Terry Bradshaw earned his third Super Bowl ring, piloting the Steelers past the Dallas Cowboys 35-31 with his four touchdown passes. Bradshaw passed for a career-high 3,724 yards and 26 touchdowns in the regular season, leading the Steelers to their eighth straight playoff appearance. Bradshaw also took home Super Bowl MVP and NFL Player of the Year honors.