PITTSBURGH -- What would Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary be without a celebration of sports?

This weekend, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center will welcome the "Parade of Champions," featuring 50 of the city's greatest sports heroes.

But the main attraction at the museum in the Strip District will speak volumes without uttering a single word.

While championship coaches, players and teams may come and go, the trophies are forever. Starting Friday, the museum invites Pittsburgh to see the city's symbols of success.

"It's more than just the trophies, it's what they remind us of," said museum director Anne Madarasz. "These are kind of shared memories for us in the city."

Most visitors may be surprised to learn that the trophies are far from perfect.

The Steelers' Super Bowl IX trophy, which they won 33 years ago, is beginning to come apart. The large football at the top of the trophy is beginning to dismantle from the base.

The Pirates' 1971 World Series trophy is also not in championship condition. The Galbreath family, who owned the team back then, still owns the trophy.

"They would bring it out for weddings, and people would get it down off the shelves and put it next to them and handle it and take their pictures, and every party, it would come out, so it's had some fun and love and excitement in its own life," said Madarasz.

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