As historian of science Stanley Jaki spent his life documenting, the pagan world view was one of endless cycles, of oscillations, of rise and fall, golden ages of glory, bronze ages of decline, iron and stone ages of despair, with no genuine permanent progress.

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Not that Mr. Lee should be confused with Mr. Exuberance, but if he leads the Rangers to World Series glory in uncharted fashion his star as a corporate endorser will rise exponentially in much the same way that Cole Hamels experienced a hike in his star after leading the Phillies to a World Championship in 2008.

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