Ranking The Best Mascots In Pittsburgh Sports
By Matt Gajtka
2. Iceburgh
Before we get into any particulars on the No. 2 mascot in Pittsburgh sports, let’s take a moment to praise the on-the-nose nickname of the local pro hockey team.
Original Penguins general manager Jack Riley was said to hate the name, which was the brainchild of owner’s wife Carol McGregor, but it fit quite well for a franchise that competed in a building affectionately known as “The Igloo” for 42 seasons.
Actual live flightless fowl have made appearances at Penguins games over the years, but Iceburgh didn’t make his debut until 1992. Really, it would’ve been tough to go wrong with this one.
April 27, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Iceburgh the Pittsburgh Penguins mascot dances with a fan during a time out against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Although his bug-like eyes are probably Iceburgh’s most prominent feature, I’d be lying if I said his star turn in the Oscar-snubbed “Sudden Death” didn’t influence his ranking here. Quite simply, squaring off with Jean Claude Van Damme is something most mascots only dream of, even if it didn’t end well.
1. Pirate Parrot
The Pittsburgh mascot champion doesn’t have the Iceburgh’s IMDB page or his punny name, but the big green bird more than makes up for it in the charisma department.
Born in 1979 in response to the cross-state Phillie Phanatic, the idea for the Parrot was derived from the Robert Louis Stevenson novel Treasure Island, which made an avian companion a must for all self-respecting buccaneers. The Parrot’s good name was sullied a bit by the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials, but we all know America loves a good comeback story.
Sep 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates mascot interacts with San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Admittedly, the Parrot benefits from the languid pace of baseball, giving him more time to commune with the fans than the other mascots on this list. But even so, his Muppet-like appeal is evident even in the smallest of interactions, whether it be with youngsters, opposing players or the Pirates themselves.
As we’ve seen over the years, the Parrot’s comedic stylings are accessible to the masses. He may owe his existence to classic literature, but the Parrot is not above dancing, slapstick or prop comedy.
In my mind there’s no debate on who rules the Pittsburgh Mascot Hierarchy, but you may disagree. How would you shuffle this deck of wild cards?