Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
June 26, 2011 marked the 37th birthday of Derek Jeter. On this occasion, sports writer Michael Sokolove relentlessly dissected Jeter’s recent rapid decline as a player from his glory days a decade ago. July 4, 2011 marks the 235th anniversary of American independence. In its own way, that day in this anxious year marks a decline in power and influence of a nation that to the rest of the world appears to be past its prime as well.
In one sense, this glum comparison looks to be far fetched. All individuals undergo a cycle of growth and decay that no one can alter or halt. In contrast, nations can be viewed as perpetually young with the youthful and vigorous replacing the old and cautious as the latter group retires or dies off. The decline of a great nation thus depends in large measure on its conscious collective choices, not on some internal, ticking clock. If individual declines are inevitable, national declines need not be.
Still, there are some disturbing parallels between great athletes and great nations, as I explain further in my column for the Hoover Institution's Defining Ideas.
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Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
The shortstop to watch right now is Jose Reyes, as everyone knows.
If the US is Jeter, then what nation is Reyes?
Perhaps we shouldn't look at Jeter as the US - Maybe we should see all of major league baseball as the US.
While one leader within MLB (US) is declining (Jeter / Obama) as are his (skills / policies), we need only look to the new leader (Reyes / ?)
May '11
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
Both Jeter and America need to what Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens did and start taking steroi ..errrrr injecting B-12 shots and drinking flaxseed oil.
Jul '10
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
I can never remember the difference between baseball and football. It's baseball where hunky guys in tight pants slap each other on the butt after a good play, right? Or is that football?
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
Communist heathen!
May '10
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
All nations are like individuals in that they cannot escape the consequences of past choices and events. Nations are not "pepertually young" because, like persons, they are shaped by experience. Like France or Russia, America will endure as a people / culture / nation for centuries yet to come. But our government is already old. Governments reflect, rather than define, nations.
May '10
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
Tommy De Seno
Communist heathen!
George Carlin can clarify the distinction for you.
Sep '10
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
Derek Jeter is a light hitting shortstop with limited range defensively. A huge amount of his individual fame is due to the success of his team. Jeter is more analogous to a once great European nation. The writing is indisputably on the wall.
The United States is like Albert Pujols. The best in the game, having accumulated all time great numbers, but recently showing major chinks in the armor. With the injury, and the uncertain contract situation, I don't think anyone knows where Albert's career will go from here.
Nov '10
Re: Is America's Decline as Evident as the Hitch in Derek Jeter's Swing?
Leave it to the NYT to disparage one of the greatest and most valiant players in the history of the game.
Ursula?