“Spring training is the original fantasy league.

Under the friendly skies of Florida and Arizona, the road to October seems unimpeded. No one has lost a game that mattered since November, and, for most teams, September. And no matter how many times those peaceful days are invalidated by the chill of April, the optimism keeps bubbling up.

Those who write about spring training need a serious Geiger counter to find actual news. There are injuries, signings, the occasional tantrum, but most spring days are spent watching people who will never get to a major league game without a ticket competing against others in the same boat.”