Our Next American Sports Idol is ...
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Monday I watched both Williams sisters lose at Wimbledon, a week after Andy Roddick bowed out. It leaves as the only American quarterfinalist gentlemen's 10th seed Mardy Fish, a 29-year-old doubles specialist who will hardly threatening Rafael Nadal's throne.
We heard a buzz for years about Donald Young as American tennis' Tiger Woods, but he has all but fizzled after only climbing as high as No. 73 in the world.
Got me to thinking about another recent event: the NBA Draft. A record 23 percent (14 of 60 players) of those drafted were born outside the United States. Four of the top seven were foreigners, leaving Big East Conference Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough undrafted.
As we approach America's birthday next week, the future of American sports stars may be at its cellar. Sorry, but the trend of sports is anti-American.
In the NBA Germany's Dirk Nowitzki just trumped LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, although Derrick Rose might be a pretty good red, white and blue role model for years to come. Ricky Rubio, howevrer, is on his way.
In Major League Baseball Josh Hamilton is the reigning AL MVP, but Canada's Joey Votto, the Cardinals' Albert Pujols and Toronto slugger Jose Bautista grab their share of the headlines. One of the brightest American stars -- Buster Posey -- just had his season end via injury.
In the NHL, neither Sidney Crosby nor Alex Ovechkin is ours, though Bruins' goalie Tim Thomas put on a pretty good Stanley Cup show.
In track it's all Ussain Bolt.
In golf the last five majors have been won by Europeans including rising Irish star Rory McIlroy while Tiger Woods' career is in jeopardy. Americans in the top 10: Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Matt Kuchar.
In cycling, the next American Tour de France challenger is ... who knows?
In boxing the top five heavyweight fighters are non-Americans with Chris Arreola at No. 6. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is popular, if he ever climbs in the ring again.
Even in MMA Brazil's Anderson Silva is considered the best pound-for-pound fighter, though Jon "Bones" Jones gives us hope.
In soccer there was a time we were titillated by 14-year-old Freddy Adu. But as I watched some Gold Cup last week it was still Landon Donovan (29) and Clint Dempsey (28).
At least the NFL will always be ours. Right, Tamba Hali?
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