It is the dead of winter and there is a foot of snow on the ground. This is the best time for Pittsburgh Pirates fans.
For fans in small market cities with professional sports teams, the off-season is a time for hope.
With little chance for parity in Major League Baseball, the Pirates and their fans have virtually no hope for World Series glory. That corner of Utopia is reserved for wealthy franchises in large cities. Of course, good management and good fortune play roles.
The White Sox and the Cubs of Chicago - both dedicated to mediocrity - seem to be unaffected by the general availability of cash. And the Red Sox of Boston; well, it appears that no amount of money can break the "Curse of the Bambino."
With such franchises as the Pirates, only unthinkably good fortune can deliver division titles.
The science of evaluating young ballplayers is so inexact - especially in a free agent draft system that involves hundreds and hundreds of players - a 10th round pick is as likely to make it big in the majors as a first round choice.
The system though which wealthy teams snap up high-priced, established stars is much more dependable.
Given that, Pirates fans, during the season, are left to enjoy occasional wins, nostalgic PNC Park and the chance to watch superstars - from other cities.
In February and March, though, during spring training, the Pirates begin every day tied for first place (of course they also are tied for last).
During spring training, fans can keep their collective eye on overachieving rookies and the annual collection of bargain basement, free agent acquisitions.
In Februaries past, fans envisioned Derek Bell as an all-star, imagined Dale Berra hitting like his dad, and convinced themselves that Sammy Khalifa was the next Ozzie Smith.
Come regular season, though, Bell proved to be washed up, Berra was more interested in pharmaceuticals than fastballs, and Khalifa, well, nuts comes to mind.
The most serious of Pirates fans realize that to finish at .500 would be a major accomplishment, a reason for celebration. Time will tell, though, whether that will occur. Even more so, time will tell if fans are willing to pay hefty ticket, parking and concession prices to view mediocrity.
Baseball needs a hard salary cap to rescue small market teams. The NFL flourishes amid parity. Franchises with the best management, best coaching and best draft strategies succeed. And the end result is just "too-oo-oo" sweet.
The baseball players union is too strong and uncooperative, and the owners are too hard-headed to really effect positive change, though. And PNC Park, with all its glory and luxury boxes, cannot generate sufficient cash for the Pirates to increase the payroll to $100 million.
As a result, the Yankees and Braves will continue to succeed at baseball's highest level.
And Pirates fans can enjoy off-season wrangling and dream their way through spring training. At this very moment, in fact, Randall Simon is tied with Sammy Sosa for the league lead in homers. That situation may not endure through September, but it's sure nice to hope.
