Raff's Brain #29: Riffin' w Raff feat. Tad DeHaven, Pittsburgh Sports Love, Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, and Cubbies!

Riffin' with Raff is the interview steam of Raff's Brain podcast. In today's episode, Rob interviews his friend and former colleague, Tad DeHaven, about their shared love of Pittsburgh sports!

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SUMMARY:
In this episode of Raff’s Brain, host Rob Raffety welcomes his friend and longtime listener, Tad DeHaven, from Western Pennsylvania. They share an engaging conversation about Pittsburgh sports, their childhood connections to Pittsburgh teams, and the city’s unique sports history. Tad recounts growing up in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with family ties to Pittsburgh sports, particularly the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. They discuss their shared passion for Penguins hockey and favorite players, from Mario Lemieux to Sidney Crosby. Moving beyond sports, Rob and Tad reflect on their nostalgia for pre-digital era media and the unbreakable connection Pittsburgh fans feel to their teams. They also explore the bittersweet reality of cheering for teams with rich histories but uncertain futures.

The episode concludes with Tad’s optimistic predictions for which Pittsburgh team might win the city’s next championship. Rob and Tad reflect on their memories, shared sports triumphs, and lifelong dedication to “the black and gold.”

OUTLINE:

1. Introduction
   • Rob introduces the episode and Tad DeHaven.
   • Tad expresses his long-time support as a fan and shares his excitement to be on the show.
2. Background on Raff’s Brain
   • Rob reflects on the podcast’s multiple iterations, detailing its evolution over the years.
3. Pittsburgh Sports Beginnings
   • Tad shares his Pittsburgh sports origins, including growing up in Altoona and developing loyalty to Pittsburgh teams.
   • Rob and Tad reminisce about formative sports memories, discussing the role Pittsburgh teams played in their childhoods.
4. Penguins Hockey Fandom
   • They discuss the golden era of Penguins hockey, including Lemieux’s drafting, early playoff memories, and the team’s transformation.
   • Rob and Tad compare the Penguins’ journey to the struggles of other NHL teams, like the Sabres.
5. Discussing Pittsburgh’s Championship Legacy
   • The duo celebrates Pittsburgh’s sports achievements, especially the Penguins’ Stanley Cup wins and the city’s “City of Champions” status.
6. Predicting Pittsburgh’s Next Championship Team
   • Tad assesses each team’s chances: the Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers.
   • Rob and Tad debate the Steelers’ current trajectory and Tad’s optimism for the team’s future under new management.
7. Sports Nostalgia and Lifelong Loyalty
   • They reflect on the challenges and rewards of being lifelong Pittsburgh sports fans.
   • The episode ends on a nostalgic note, with Rob and Tad recognizing their fortune to have experienced so many incredible Pittsburgh sports memories.