How important are the sports franchises to a region such as Western Pennsylvania?

Is there anything more people relate to than our professional sports teams in this region? Our college alliances are split among Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia University. We have 11 high school football programs in Butler County alone. And we have no NBA team to consider.

But we have our Pirates, Penguins and Steelers organizations to identify with as being not just our teams, but designed in the image of the area. That would be proud, hardworking, committed and loyal.

Suddenly, we are being tested as to whether it is only about winning — or is being a Pittsburgh sports fan an inheritance to keep forever? Is it like a marriage; through thick and thin, for richer or poorer, in sickness or injured reserve?

The Penguins can’t beat anyone but themselves. The Steelers are getting excited about a high draft pick instead of the playoffs. And the Pirates ... well, they belong to Bob Nutting, so enough said.

Has anyone ever envied Buffalo fans, Browns followers or Bengals enthusiasts? Have we collectively we reached the bottom of the pickle barrel with no polka playing to dance to this time?

The Penguins season is still very young. We don’t have to listen to Pirate jokes for another four months, and often finishing with less than four wins in an NFL season does lead to a turnaround for bad teams, but not always quickly.

Meanwhile, we can debate whether the Penguins should have kept the big three, whether Mike Tomlin is no longer the great football mind we thought he was, and we can hope that Major League Baseball adds a requirement that owners must at least want to win to qualify to own a team.

Otherwise, we are stuck collectively beneath the Mendoza-line for now. Better times are sure to come, because other than the Pirates, you can’t stay this bad forever.

—RV