“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Those are the words of Thomas Paine, the 18th century American political activist and philosopher.

Certainly, recent events from divisive Supreme Court decisions to the snarl of cancellations that make booking a flight more torture than travel to shortages of everything from peanut butter to baby formula are trying.

But previously, fans of the Black and Gold could look to Pittsburgh sports teams for a diversion from real life, a chance to study batting orders and football depth charts and revel in the artistry that is Sidney Crosby on ice.

Sadly, this year even those minor enjoyments are being denied to the faithful sports fans in 2022.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently 15 games under .500 and were recently thumped by the Central Division-leading Milwaukee Brewers 19 to 2. The Buccos are in yet another rebuilding phase and highlights such as Bryan Reynolds’ recent three-home run game can’t disguise the fact that this is a team full of guys named Joe who were out of playoff contention before Memorial Day.

It used to be sports fans could look forward to the opening of Steelers’ training camp, this year on July 26 and back at Saint Vincent College, as a chance to forget about the woeful Pirates and look forward to a winning football campaign. But uncertainty and carping are souring even this usually hopeful event.

Because this is the first year since 2004 that Ben Roethlisberger won’t be taking snaps under center. Big Ben limped off the field and out of the league at the end of the 2021 season. Free-agent signing Mitch Trubisky, first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett and forgotten man Mason Rudolph will vie for a chance to become quarterback and try to compete in the AFC North against Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and whoever the heck Cleveland suits up.

Sports talk shows are already speculating how many games Trubisky will start before Pickett takes his place. Callers and hosts moan the offensive line hasn’t been improved, Mike Tomlin has become stagnant as head coach and Matt Canada’s offense will never work in the NFL.

And the Pittsburgh Penguins are have their own set of problems. Longtime stalwarts Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin are due to hit free agency. The Penguins front office has been silent about its attempts, if any, to sign one or both players. Their ages and salary cap considerations loom large in any decision. They both could be gone when their free agency starts July 13.

That would leave Sid “No Longer a Kid” Crosby who turns 35 Aug. 7 alone to start the NHL season on Oct. 11. Another run for the Stanley Cup seems unlikely in this scenario.

Paine also wrote, “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

Pittsburgh sports fans are about to live this maximum to its fullest.

— EF