Something cool that a lot of people don’t realize about Pittsburgh is that many of our greatest sports stars were immigrants. People in Pittsburgh are always proud to be “from here”, but our beloved sports stars have “come here” from other nations and brought us fans so many moments of joy. This installment of the America Loves Countdowns® series looks at the ten greatest international Pittsburgh sports stars.
Jason Bay (birthplace: Canada)
In 2004, Bay became the first Canadian to win the NL Rookie of the Year award after a stellar season with the Pirates. He went on to produce several more stellar seasons, including the 2006 season which saw him start the All-Star Game in PNC Park. Eventually, Pirates management realized that players like Bay would possibly lead to some sort of winning, so they shrewdly traded him away to the Red Sox.
Larry Murphy (birthplace: Canada)
The Ontario-born Hall of Fame defenseman played for the Penguins during their dynasty years in the early 1990′s and was an integral part of their two Stanley Cup titles. He ran point brilliantly on the power play and was a great offensive defenseman. The Pens traded Chris Dahlquist and Jim Johnson in order to acquire Murphy from the Northstars in December of 1990. Pittsburgh would defeat Minnesota in the Cup Finals six months later. I think it is safe to say who got the best of that deal.
Evgeni Malkin (birthplace: Russia)
When the Penguins lost the draft lottery in 2004, it meant they had to “settle” for Malkin over Alexander Ovechkin. Pens fans soon realized that Malkin was in no way a consolation prize. He led the team to a Stanley Cup title as playoff MVP. Unlike other names on this list though, it took a lot just to get him to Pittsburgh. The team basically had to smuggle him out of Russia in 2007.
Gary Anderson (birthplace: South Africa)
Arguably the single best clutch player in Steelers history, Anderson rarely ever missed when called upon. He was unfortunate enough to play during the only “lean” years the franchise has had in the past four decades, but when the Mark Malone / Bubby Brister led offenses couldn’t drive deep into opposing territory, Anderson provided the points. He retired as the league’s all-time leading scorer and an all-time Pittsburgh great.
Ron Francis (birthplace: Canada)
In 1991, the biggest trade in Penguins history brought Francis to Pittsburgh from Hartford, and it subsequently produced two Stanley Cups. Francis was a consummate leader on the ice. He was also a great defensive forward and goal scorer. He became the first player ever to win the Selke and Lady Byng trophies in the same season. It was no surprise that Francis was elected as a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2007.
Ernie Stautner (birthplace: Germany)
Despite being massively undersized for a defensive lineman, Stautner became one of the best defenders ever and a first ballot Hall of Famer. He was unfortunate though to always be on the short end of the stick when it came to the Steelers. In his 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, he never once played for a winner. Then after football, he became an assistant coach on Tom Landry’s Dallas teams which lost two Super Bowls to the Steelers.
Jaromir Jagr (birthplace: Czech Republic)
While he could be surly at times, no one can ever deny that Jagr was one of the most talented hockey players the team has ever had. Between 1981 and 2001, only three different NHL players won the Art Ross Trophy (given to the player who leads the league in scoring): Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky, and Jagr. He also won league MVP in 1999, and was instrumental in the Penguins run of 11 consecutive playoff seasons.
Sidney Crosby (birthplace: Canada)
The Penguins had little hope for the future and were on the brink of financial ruin when a ping pong ball intervened one night in July of 2005. Sidney Crosby has lived up to every high standard set for him, and then some. He is an amazing hockey player who carries himself with the utmost respect and class (which is more than we can say for some other current Pittsburgh stars). Here’s hoping that he will be here for a long time.
Roberto Clemente (birthplace: Puerto Rico)
Arguably the greatest player ever to put on a Pirates uniform, Clemente could do it all. He won 12 Gold Gloves, played in 12 All-Star games, won the NL MVP in 1966, won the World Series MVP in 1971, and won four batting titles. He was a great ballplayer who died heroically trying to get help to earthquake victims. His special place in the hearts of Pittsburghers is forever secure.
Mario Lemieux (birthplace: Canada)
Sure, Mario was a great player. Sure, he may have been the greatest ever. But he has done so much more for Pittsburgh than any other athlete has ever done for his city. He is the sole reason professional hockey exists in Pittsburgh. The Penguins would have been long gone on two separate occasions had it not been for Lemieux’s presence. And this was from a guy who couldn’t even speak English when he got here.