Sports fans in the NY area can attest that the story of Derek Jeter approaching 3,000 hits is grabbing a disproportionate share of airtime these days. As is often the case with milestones, there is a general anxiety that accompanies this path (which often grows as the athlete gets closer). I can understand this anxiety for records for which there is a time or game limit (such as Maris’s 61st, McGwire’s 62nd and Bonds’ 71st home runs).
But I wonder why the phenomenon also exists for milestones that are virtually guaranteed. The only reason that I could come up with is people’s morbid fears. There is a tiny, tiny probability that the athlete will have a catastrophic injury, get murdered or go down in a fiery plane crash. I think it’s the miniscule probability that such an unfortunate event might occur that lies deep within the collective minds of fans and gets magnified prior to the reaching of the milestone.
Like, general public anxiety? I don’t think there is any authentic anxiety, is there? I think there’s just sports media making a story out of the fact that there might soon be a story, or the fact that it’s taken two more days than it might have taken for there to be a story.
Jeter back from DL only a few hits shy of 3,000; Jeter gets one hit, leaving him two shy of 3,000; Jeter goes 0 for 5 with three short groundouts to second; leaving him two shy of 3,000; bla bla bla – that’s an opportunity for ten stories where there’s really only one if you’re being reasonable about it. Ten for the price of one, that’s like a sports media how-to.
I don’t think there’s anxiety regading the accomplishment, as nearly everyone thinks Jeter will reach the milestone. Rather, there may be individual anxiety for folks who want to witness this bit of (manufactured) history: “Will he reach 3000 at a home game, will it occur on the day I’m at the ballpark, will I be able to see it live on TV, what kind of hit will it be (game winner, HR, generous scorer decision),” etc. But that’s closer to anticipation.
Why do kids get anxious about Christmas, even though it’s guaranteed to come around eventually? You don’t think it’s because of the minute chance of the world exploding, do you?
It’s not quite the same feeling. There are numerous presents, surprises, family gatherings around Christmas time. Plus, you’re talking about kids and not adults.
When the milestone is achieved, the feeling is usually expressed using the word ‘relief’ or ‘I’m glad it’s finally over’ or something similar. Larry David recently appeared on the Michael Kinsley show and parodied this phenomenon (talking about the hype around Jeter specifically). I wish I could find the clip.
It’s because the milestone causes you to overthink rather than just do what you’re trained to do. Sure, #3000 is just like #2435, but the hype attached to it makes you hesitate, try too hard, etc. So you do get there eventually, it’s just a more agonizing process.
Sportswriters give you a hard time if you get stalled out. You’ve hit 587 home runs in your career, and now it takes you all year to hit 13 more, and it’s “Mays is a choker.”