Decisions, decisions.

This past Sunday, did anyone have to make the choice between watching the Pittsburgh Pirates extra-inning affair against the St. Louis Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts?

In the previous 19 years, this wouldn’t be a question so much as an identity thing. The Steelers have enjoyed enormous success since the 1992 season — Bill Cowher’s first season — while the Pirates, starting the following spring of 1993 have sputtered through losing season after losing season.

Welcome to 2012.

While I’d be curious to see the ratings for both games in the Pittsburgh-area market, I would think a lot more people stuck around to watch the end of the Bucs-Cards game than see the beginning of the Steelers game.

I could be wrong. In fact, I probably am.

Still, a baseball game going into the 19th inning with a division rival and a stronghold of a wild-card spot at stake would seem more important than a meaningless exhibition game, you would think, but the Steelers still dominate the Pittsburgh market.

And they should. Winning breeds confidence, as well as a strong following, and the Steelers have always enjoyed that. In the past 20 years, the Pirates seemed to be just a small springtime entertainment until training camp talk began in June and training camp itself in July.

The Pirates’ performance on Sunday was a bit maddening and let a few golden opportunities slip by, including taking a 3-2 lead in the 17th inning, only to see that disappear.

But, the Pirates continue to persevere this year. After stumbling a bit since the All-Star break, the Pirates are 19-18 after Monday night’s loss at San Diego, including taking a much-needed series from the Cardinals. A loss would have tied the Cardinals with the Pirates and Atlanta Braves atop the wild-card standings with only to spots available.

Sunday’s win gave the Pirates not so much breathing room — there is still six weeks remaining in the regular season — but the win makes the trip out to the West Coast a little bit more relaxing — and a lot more fun.

Just as Pedro Alvarez hit a solo home run and Andrew McCutchen a two-run single in the top of the 19th, the Steelers game was just about to begin.

The Pirates game lasted 6 hours, 7 minutes which made fans that chose to stick with the Bucs miss about half of the first quarter of the Steelers game.

In this day and age, catching that later online or on the news is no big deal.

The same could be said about the Pirates game, but it was a lot more exciting.

I would think that would count for more, but this is still Steelers Country. Fans are everywhere.

Either way, you had to make a decision. But wasn’t it great to even have that luxury?

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.