I touched on this in a post eight days ago. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has decided in its infinite wisdom that it will charge four dollars, plus tax in Missouri, for its Sunday paper. Yep, you heard me right, four bucks for a paper that is a shadow of what it was in its prime.
The paper which is published by Lee Enterprises is four bucks if you buy it at a convenience store. (Notice I didn't say newsstand? Those things no longer exist in Saint Louis). But, the thing that's interesting is the Post charges those who subscribe to it a buck. You say really, but that's not right.
I agree, but Lee Enterprises is automatically removing money from the bank accounts of those who subscribe to their paper.
If you don't want to pay the four bucks, do what many people in Saint Louis are doing. Just go online and answer some stupid question and you can read the paper for free. It's a dumb business practice to give the paper away for free on the Internet, but charge those who don't have a computer or access to the Internet four bucks for the Sunday rag.
December 31, 2017
December 25, 2017
Merry Christmas!
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace". - Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends!
The tree at my home this Christmas
December 23, 2017
Just Saying Hello
Greetings from a chilly Midwest part of the United States. It has been in the low 30's and we finally got some snow today. I know, I know, it's no excuse for failing to write for the past 30 days.
I will write as time permits but just want to let you know I am alive and doing fine. Some of the topics I will write about are the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's 33% increase in the price of it's Sunday paper and the resurgence of the Mizzou basketball program under coach Cuonzo Martin. The Tigers lost tonight to Illinois but the team's future is bright. M-I-Z!
I will write as time permits but just want to let you know I am alive and doing fine. Some of the topics I will write about are the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's 33% increase in the price of it's Sunday paper and the resurgence of the Mizzou basketball program under coach Cuonzo Martin. The Tigers lost tonight to Illinois but the team's future is bright. M-I-Z!
November 18, 2017
Let's Go Bowling
I'm going to keep this short and to the point. My beloved Mizzou Tigers are now 6-5 and bowl eligible. Sure if you are a fan of Alabama or Ohio State or Oklahoma you are used to this. But, the Tigers have been struggling for the past few years and are now bowl eligible after beating Vanderbilt 45-17 this evening.
But, what makes it even sweeter to me as a Mizzou alum and long time season ticket holder is the Tigers turnaround of their season. The Tigers started 1-5 with a couple of disappointing losses. But they have now run off five straight wins over the likes of Florida, Tennessee and now Vanderbilt on the road. (The win over Vandy is Mizzou's first road win in the SEC since coach Barry Odom took over at the start of last year).
Like I said, I'm going to keep this short, but I am very proud of my Alma Mater. M-I-Z!!!
But, what makes it even sweeter to me as a Mizzou alum and long time season ticket holder is the Tigers turnaround of their season. The Tigers started 1-5 with a couple of disappointing losses. But they have now run off five straight wins over the likes of Florida, Tennessee and now Vanderbilt on the road. (The win over Vandy is Mizzou's first road win in the SEC since coach Barry Odom took over at the start of last year).
Like I said, I'm going to keep this short, but I am very proud of my Alma Mater. M-I-Z!!!
October 30, 2017
The Games are Too Long
I am a fan of Major League Baseball and a fan of NCAA Football. Each sport shares the same problem. The games are too long and getting longer.
I've watched as much of the MLB post-season as I can, but I just don't have four hours a night to invest in a baseball game. Last night's Game Five in Houston will go down as a classic, but because I was tired I could not stay awake and went to bed in the eighth inning. When I watched the highlights this morning I saw what all the shouting was about. The game which started at 7:10 p.m. where I live, didn't finish until after 12:30 a.m. Sure, it lasted ten innings but the time to play it was way too long. Baseball needs to cut back on the amount of commercials between innings and keep the batters in the box and the pitchers on the mound. That will go a long way to speeding things up. But, something else that will help is having the umpires call pitches as the strike zone is defined in the rule book.
The NCAA is now apparently owned by ABC / ESPN. That TV network keeps adding commercials to each TV timeout it imposes on the game. Again, if the NCAA would cut back on the number of commercials allowed in its breaks and make the teams stay on the field when play is stopped, the games would not last three hours and 45 minutes on average. I love college football, but the length of the games has me thinking about not renewing my tickets next year.
I've watched as much of the MLB post-season as I can, but I just don't have four hours a night to invest in a baseball game. Last night's Game Five in Houston will go down as a classic, but because I was tired I could not stay awake and went to bed in the eighth inning. When I watched the highlights this morning I saw what all the shouting was about. The game which started at 7:10 p.m. where I live, didn't finish until after 12:30 a.m. Sure, it lasted ten innings but the time to play it was way too long. Baseball needs to cut back on the amount of commercials between innings and keep the batters in the box and the pitchers on the mound. That will go a long way to speeding things up. But, something else that will help is having the umpires call pitches as the strike zone is defined in the rule book.
The NCAA is now apparently owned by ABC / ESPN. That TV network keeps adding commercials to each TV timeout it imposes on the game. Again, if the NCAA would cut back on the number of commercials allowed in its breaks and make the teams stay on the field when play is stopped, the games would not last three hours and 45 minutes on average. I love college football, but the length of the games has me thinking about not renewing my tickets next year.
September 21, 2017
Retirement
I have officially retired from the rat race and working with selfish immature people. I wold have kept working but the age discrimination against older employees where I worked for 21 years was just too much to put up with. I told my manager several months ago I was retiring and was met with little more than..."good luck."
I am enjoying myself, my blood pressure is down and I am getting to watch the kids play sports after school for the first time in my life. Life is good and I don't miss the "PC" work place. And to make it official I received my first Social Security check yesterday.
Today has been a good day. I played 18 holes of golf this morning and am meeting friends for dinner. Life is good!
I am enjoying myself, my blood pressure is down and I am getting to watch the kids play sports after school for the first time in my life. Life is good and I don't miss the "PC" work place. And to make it official I received my first Social Security check yesterday.
Today has been a good day. I played 18 holes of golf this morning and am meeting friends for dinner. Life is good!
August 07, 2017
2017 Hall of Fame - Football
Over the weekend the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio inducted seven new members into the ranks of its membership. Those inducted were Morten Anderson, Terrell Davis, Kenny Easley, Jerry Jones, Jason Taylor, LaDainian Tomlinson and Kurt Warner.
During the past 30 years I saw all of them play. Briefly each of them was unique in their own way in which they dominated the game.
-Anderson impressed me with the longevity of his career. He played for five teams over 25 years and was named to the NFL All Decade Teams of the '80 and 90's. He scored 2,544 points over that 25 year career.
-Terrell Davis spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos and when he was in the backfield with John Elway the Broncos were a force with which to be reckoned. When the Broncos won Super Bowl 32 Davis was named the MVP as he scored the winning touchdown with less than two minutes left to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-24.
-Kenny Easley played at Safety for the Seattle Seahawks from the early to mid 80's I only saw him on television since the Seahawks were still in the AFC at that time and the team I followed at Busch Stadium II, was the old St. Louis Cardinals before their move to Phoenix. I remember Easley as quick and a hard hitter. What surprised me was how long it took him to get to the Hall of Fame.
-Jerry Jones, who bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 and still owns them today, was never one of my favorites. When he fired longtime Dallas legend Tom Landry I thought Jones was an ego maniac more interested in promoting himself than helping the Cowboys win. What I didn't know at the time was he would hire his friend Jimmy Johnson and with Johnson's sills the Cowboys would win three Super Bowls in the mid '90s. Jones also should be recognized for building a one billion dollar stadium with private funding.
-Jason Taylor was a quick strong defensive end whom I mainly remember from the Miami Dolphins. I never saw him play in person in St. Louis even when he played for the Redskins. Taylor made six pro bowls and was a first year inductee into the Hall of Fame.
-LaDainian Tomlinson to me was the face of the San Diego Chargers. I remember watching him play in college for TCU and knew he would be good in the pros. And he was. In 2006 Tomlinson rushed for 28 touchdowns and scored three more on pass receptions. Tomlinson was named to the All Decade team by the NFL for the 2000's. It's a shame he never got to play in a Super Bowl.
-Kurt Warner as a member of the St. Louis Rams became one of my favorite players and I count myself fortunate to have seen him play many a game for the Rams in their Super Bowl seasons of 1999 and 2001. To be honest I never thought St. Louis would win a Super Bowl after they lost the Cardinals in 1987. But, little did we know at that time a young man by the name of Warner would lead them to victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl 34. You've probably heard the story of rising from grocery store stock clerk to pro quarterback so I won't re-visit that, but if a Hollywood screen writer had written it, the story would have been dismissed as unbelievable. Warner quarterbacked "The Greatest Show on Turf" and with his talented offensive teammates, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt along with the coaching of Dick Vermeil and "Mad Mike" Martz, those teams re-wrote the offensive record books. Warner, became a role model in St. Louis and he lived his Christian faith and gave back and continues to give to the St. Louis community today while living in Arizona.
The induction ceremony on Saturday night lasted four and a half hours and the speeches were long. I am not going to include videos for all seven of the inductees. But, because Warner is one of my favorites players I am including the link to his speech. The NFL Hall of Fame does not permit the video to be embedded into this blog so here again is the link to watch it on YouTube. It lasts about a half hour but I loved every minute of it. I hope you enjoy it as well.
During the past 30 years I saw all of them play. Briefly each of them was unique in their own way in which they dominated the game.
-Anderson impressed me with the longevity of his career. He played for five teams over 25 years and was named to the NFL All Decade Teams of the '80 and 90's. He scored 2,544 points over that 25 year career.
-Terrell Davis spent his entire career with the Denver Broncos and when he was in the backfield with John Elway the Broncos were a force with which to be reckoned. When the Broncos won Super Bowl 32 Davis was named the MVP as he scored the winning touchdown with less than two minutes left to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-24.
-Kenny Easley played at Safety for the Seattle Seahawks from the early to mid 80's I only saw him on television since the Seahawks were still in the AFC at that time and the team I followed at Busch Stadium II, was the old St. Louis Cardinals before their move to Phoenix. I remember Easley as quick and a hard hitter. What surprised me was how long it took him to get to the Hall of Fame.
-Jerry Jones, who bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 and still owns them today, was never one of my favorites. When he fired longtime Dallas legend Tom Landry I thought Jones was an ego maniac more interested in promoting himself than helping the Cowboys win. What I didn't know at the time was he would hire his friend Jimmy Johnson and with Johnson's sills the Cowboys would win three Super Bowls in the mid '90s. Jones also should be recognized for building a one billion dollar stadium with private funding.
-Jason Taylor was a quick strong defensive end whom I mainly remember from the Miami Dolphins. I never saw him play in person in St. Louis even when he played for the Redskins. Taylor made six pro bowls and was a first year inductee into the Hall of Fame.
-LaDainian Tomlinson to me was the face of the San Diego Chargers. I remember watching him play in college for TCU and knew he would be good in the pros. And he was. In 2006 Tomlinson rushed for 28 touchdowns and scored three more on pass receptions. Tomlinson was named to the All Decade team by the NFL for the 2000's. It's a shame he never got to play in a Super Bowl.
-Kurt Warner as a member of the St. Louis Rams became one of my favorite players and I count myself fortunate to have seen him play many a game for the Rams in their Super Bowl seasons of 1999 and 2001. To be honest I never thought St. Louis would win a Super Bowl after they lost the Cardinals in 1987. But, little did we know at that time a young man by the name of Warner would lead them to victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl 34. You've probably heard the story of rising from grocery store stock clerk to pro quarterback so I won't re-visit that, but if a Hollywood screen writer had written it, the story would have been dismissed as unbelievable. Warner quarterbacked "The Greatest Show on Turf" and with his talented offensive teammates, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt along with the coaching of Dick Vermeil and "Mad Mike" Martz, those teams re-wrote the offensive record books. Warner, became a role model in St. Louis and he lived his Christian faith and gave back and continues to give to the St. Louis community today while living in Arizona.
The induction ceremony on Saturday night lasted four and a half hours and the speeches were long. I am not going to include videos for all seven of the inductees. But, because Warner is one of my favorites players I am including the link to his speech. The NFL Hall of Fame does not permit the video to be embedded into this blog so here again is the link to watch it on YouTube. It lasts about a half hour but I loved every minute of it. I hope you enjoy it as well.
 |
| Photo courtesy of azcardinals.com |
2017 Hall of Fame - Baseball
Congratulations to the newest inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. John Schuerholz, Bud Selig, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez are the newest members of the Hall. I was fortunate to have seen this class play in person or see the game they had touched.
I saw several Schuerholz teams in person namely the 1985 Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves of the 1990s. As a St. Louis Cardinal fan I was disappointed in 1985 when the Royals came back from a three to one World Series game deficit to beat the Cardinals. I lived in Central Missouri at the time and the Royals were my favorite American League team and I had seen them play five or six games that season at Kauffman Stadium. But, when the Royals beat the Cards, especially in game six, it was a tough day.
I also saw Schuerholz teams that knocked the Cardinals out of the playoffs on several occasions in the late 90s. The thing I remember about those Braves teams was the pitching of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. All three of them are now enshrined in the Hall at Cooperstown.
I was never a fan of Bud Selig but ultimately he does belong in the Hall of Fame because of the labor peace that existed after the strike of 1994. He told those in attendance at his induction speech that was the toughest fall he has ever had. I am still critical of Selig for letting the greed of owners and players cancel something that neither World War One or Two could terminate. Selig will also be remembered and have to bear the responsibility for presiding over the games PED scandals of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Jeff Bagwell was always a thorn in the side of the Cardinals. It seemed as if each time the Houston Astros had runners in scoring position, Bagwell was coming to the plate at Busch Stadium. There was a period in the mid 2000's when the Cards and Astros were rivals and seemed to run into each other each post season. And one of the reasons the Astros were there was because of Bagwell.
I consider myself fortunate to have seen Tim Raines play against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium II on many occasions when the Montreal Expos came to town. Having watched Lou Brock in his prime I always enjoyed seeing the role that speed played in manufacturing runs. Raines was one of the best having stole over 800 bases in his career and having a success rate of stealing over 84 percent. He was a switch hitter and had power from both sides of the plate. I know because I saw him homer off Cardinal pitchers from both sides of the plate when he played against the Redbirds.
Ivan Rodriguez was one of the best catchers I ever got to see play in person. I did not see him as often as Raines and Bagwell because he played most of his career in the American League. But, there was one afternoon in 1996 when I was travelling and in Milwaukee. The Brewers played a day game at old Milwaukee County Stadium against the Texas Rangers and Rodriguez in early July. Let's just say "Pudge" owned the day. He homered in the first inning on a blast into the left field stands and then came back and homered again in the sixth inning and drove in three more runs in what turned into a blowout. To top it off Rodriguez also threw out a would be Milwaukee base thief and showed off that marvelous cannon of an arm that he owned. That day made me a fan of Rodriguez for the rest of his career.
I saw several Schuerholz teams in person namely the 1985 Kansas City Royals and the Atlanta Braves of the 1990s. As a St. Louis Cardinal fan I was disappointed in 1985 when the Royals came back from a three to one World Series game deficit to beat the Cardinals. I lived in Central Missouri at the time and the Royals were my favorite American League team and I had seen them play five or six games that season at Kauffman Stadium. But, when the Royals beat the Cards, especially in game six, it was a tough day.
I also saw Schuerholz teams that knocked the Cardinals out of the playoffs on several occasions in the late 90s. The thing I remember about those Braves teams was the pitching of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. All three of them are now enshrined in the Hall at Cooperstown.
I was never a fan of Bud Selig but ultimately he does belong in the Hall of Fame because of the labor peace that existed after the strike of 1994. He told those in attendance at his induction speech that was the toughest fall he has ever had. I am still critical of Selig for letting the greed of owners and players cancel something that neither World War One or Two could terminate. Selig will also be remembered and have to bear the responsibility for presiding over the games PED scandals of the late 90s and early 2000s.
July 20, 2017
This Team is Brain Dead
Last Friday night I wrote how poorly the 2017 version of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team is playing. After I wrote that the 'Birds" won three out of four and got my hopes up for a possible pennant run. Because St. Louis plays in the weakest division in baseball, I thought in the back of my mind they still have a chance.
But, after watching them get to within a game of .500 the Cardinals have lost two straight to a mediocre New York Mets team. Last night the Mets won 7-3 after a poor start from Cardinal right hander Mike Leake. Leake gave up seven runs in two innings.
The trip to New York could have finished on a bright note but mis-management and lack of focus cost the Birds the final game of the series. The Mets won 3-2 today after the Cards had taken a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning on a Tommy Pham home run.
I don't know why, but for some reason Cardinal manager Mike Matheny sent left-hander Brett Cecil to the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. Cecil was promptly lit up by Met's pinch hitter Wilmer Flores, who jacked his 17th HR of the year to tie the game. Cecil is OK against left-handers but I have no idea what Matheny was thinking. Hopefully, it was the upcoming left-handed hitters in the Mets lineup that prompted the move.
Then in the bottom of the ninth the Mets put runners on the corners against Cardinal setup man Trevor Rosenthal with two outs. Rosenthal gave up a sharply hit ground ball to Jose Reyes that Cards first basemen Matt Carpenter fielded on one hop. But, Rosenthal didn't get off the mound right away and with no one on the base Reyes beat Carpenter to the bag. The Mets scored, the Cardinals lost and go three games under. So, much for my new found enthusiasm.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the team and it's not going to get any better until management gets rid of the attitudes and players going through the motions. At this point the Cardinals should be sellers at the trading deadline. This team has no chance of winning even in a weak division.
Tomorrow it gets even tougher as the team opens a three game series against the Cubs in Chicago. If you haven't noticed the Cubs are unbeaten since the All Star break. They will probably remain unbeaten through the weekend.
But, after watching them get to within a game of .500 the Cardinals have lost two straight to a mediocre New York Mets team. Last night the Mets won 7-3 after a poor start from Cardinal right hander Mike Leake. Leake gave up seven runs in two innings.
The trip to New York could have finished on a bright note but mis-management and lack of focus cost the Birds the final game of the series. The Mets won 3-2 today after the Cards had taken a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning on a Tommy Pham home run.
I don't know why, but for some reason Cardinal manager Mike Matheny sent left-hander Brett Cecil to the mound to start the bottom of the eighth. Cecil was promptly lit up by Met's pinch hitter Wilmer Flores, who jacked his 17th HR of the year to tie the game. Cecil is OK against left-handers but I have no idea what Matheny was thinking. Hopefully, it was the upcoming left-handed hitters in the Mets lineup that prompted the move.
Then in the bottom of the ninth the Mets put runners on the corners against Cardinal setup man Trevor Rosenthal with two outs. Rosenthal gave up a sharply hit ground ball to Jose Reyes that Cards first basemen Matt Carpenter fielded on one hop. But, Rosenthal didn't get off the mound right away and with no one on the base Reyes beat Carpenter to the bag. The Mets scored, the Cardinals lost and go three games under. So, much for my new found enthusiasm.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the team and it's not going to get any better until management gets rid of the attitudes and players going through the motions. At this point the Cardinals should be sellers at the trading deadline. This team has no chance of winning even in a weak division.
Tomorrow it gets even tougher as the team opens a three game series against the Cubs in Chicago. If you haven't noticed the Cubs are unbeaten since the All Star break. They will probably remain unbeaten through the weekend.
July 14, 2017
Another Chance and the Same Old Result
My beloved Saint Louis Cardinals started the second half of their season tonight in Pittsburgh. I have been excited all week because they were only five and a half games back of the first place Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals ended the first half of the season strong and were just two games under .500.
But, the optimism was misplaced. The Cardinals closer, Seung-Hwan Oh, couldn't get out of the ninth inning and the Birds lost 5-2 on a walk off homer by the Bucs Josh Bell.
The Cards bullpen is a huge problem as is the defense. Cardinal fans have given the bullpen the following names because they are terrible. Closer Oh has become "Oh-No". Set up man Trevor Rosenthal is "Blows 'Em All" and 7th inning specialist Matt Bowman is "Blowman".
I fear it is going to be a long second half of the season.
But, the optimism was misplaced. The Cardinals closer, Seung-Hwan Oh, couldn't get out of the ninth inning and the Birds lost 5-2 on a walk off homer by the Bucs Josh Bell.
The Cards bullpen is a huge problem as is the defense. Cardinal fans have given the bullpen the following names because they are terrible. Closer Oh has become "Oh-No". Set up man Trevor Rosenthal is "Blows 'Em All" and 7th inning specialist Matt Bowman is "Blowman".
I fear it is going to be a long second half of the season.
July 04, 2017
I am Blessed - Happy Birthday USA!
I originally posted this article three years ago and it is still as true today as it was then. The nation may be even more divided with the media constantly criticizing Donald Trump and showing continued bias against this administration that was legally elected by the American public last November. This nation has a lot of problems and maybe the media can focus on those problems and what our elected leaders are doing to try to solve them. I pray this will happen soon. In the interim I still am proud to live in the United States of America and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. So, without additional delay, here is the article I wrote on Independence Day 2014.
"I am blessed to live in the United States of America. It is still the richest and most powerful nation in the world. But more importantly I am allowed to express myself and to criticize our leaders as I see fit due to the Bill of Rights of this great nation.
Today marks the 241st birthday of the United States of America. It is one of the longest running democracies in the world. This has been accomplished through the sacrifice of thousands going back to the Revolution against the British to today with our troops deployed in Afghanistan and other Middle East hot-spots. These brave men and women paid the ultimate price for our enduring freedom. I have no good way of sufficiently expressing my gratitude to them and to those who have served in conflicts such as World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Today I say thank you to all of our armed forces past and present. Because of you I am able to live in what I truly believe is the greatest nation on Earth.
Happy Birthday America! Long may you stand"!
"I am blessed to live in the United States of America. It is still the richest and most powerful nation in the world. But more importantly I am allowed to express myself and to criticize our leaders as I see fit due to the Bill of Rights of this great nation.
Today marks the 241st birthday of the United States of America. It is one of the longest running democracies in the world. This has been accomplished through the sacrifice of thousands going back to the Revolution against the British to today with our troops deployed in Afghanistan and other Middle East hot-spots. These brave men and women paid the ultimate price for our enduring freedom. I have no good way of sufficiently expressing my gratitude to them and to those who have served in conflicts such as World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Today I say thank you to all of our armed forces past and present. Because of you I am able to live in what I truly believe is the greatest nation on Earth.
Happy Birthday America! Long may you stand"!
June 23, 2017
One of the Worst Teams Ever
If you read this blog regularly you know I've had a life long love affair with the St. Louis Cardinals. Well, this may be the worst iteration of the Cardinals I've seen in my 64 years.
The team is selfish, and lacks motivation. The defense leaves a lot to be desired. Why you ask? The outfielders miss cutoff men and throw to the wrong bases. The infielders miss the cutoff throws from the outfielders and fail to hustle. And the bullpen is terrible. Both setup man Trevor Rosenthal and closer Seung Hwan Oh have failed repeatedly.
The team is selfish, and lacks motivation. The defense leaves a lot to be desired. Why you ask? The outfielders miss cutoff men and throw to the wrong bases. The infielders miss the cutoff throws from the outfielders and fail to hustle. And the bullpen is terrible. Both setup man Trevor Rosenthal and closer Seung Hwan Oh have failed repeatedly.
I have watched the Cardinals since I was nine years old and this team, to this point, is among the worst I've ever seen.
May 01, 2017
Happy May Day!
I hope you are doing well. And, like I say all the time I can't believe it's (fill in the blank month here) May already. So a Happy May Day to you!
With one month in the books for the 2017 Major League Baseball season I am not overly impressed with my favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals. If this team is going to do anything this year the bullpen is going to have to get a lot better. Yesterday, the Cardinals blew a 4-0 lead to the Cincinnati Reds and lost 5-4 because the bullpen failed to hold the lead and then save it. And if this team fails to make the playoffs I will look back to this game as a reason they didn't make it. I hope I am wrong but I think at this point the Cardinals are mediocre at best. The club started 3-9 and at the end of the month its record had improved to 12-12, meaning it had won 9 of its last 12 games. But the wins were over the likes of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Toronto. When the "Birds" played good teams like the Yankees and Nationals in April, they got their butts kicked. Again, and I hope I am wrong, this team and its pitching appear to be the epitome of mediocrity.
With one month in the books for the 2017 Major League Baseball season I am not overly impressed with my favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals. If this team is going to do anything this year the bullpen is going to have to get a lot better. Yesterday, the Cardinals blew a 4-0 lead to the Cincinnati Reds and lost 5-4 because the bullpen failed to hold the lead and then save it. And if this team fails to make the playoffs I will look back to this game as a reason they didn't make it. I hope I am wrong but I think at this point the Cardinals are mediocre at best. The club started 3-9 and at the end of the month its record had improved to 12-12, meaning it had won 9 of its last 12 games. But the wins were over the likes of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Toronto. When the "Birds" played good teams like the Yankees and Nationals in April, they got their butts kicked. Again, and I hope I am wrong, this team and its pitching appear to be the epitome of mediocrity.
April 16, 2017
He is Risen!
Happy Easter to all of my family and friends. In response to the title of this post, the traditional reply is "He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!"
May the joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's resurrection fill you with peace and joy in the knowledge that Christ's overcoming the cross and death now means we will live forever! Alleluia!
May the joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's resurrection fill you with peace and joy in the knowledge that Christ's overcoming the cross and death now means we will live forever! Alleluia!
March 24, 2017
Quick Thoughts in Late March
Greetings friends, my life seems to get busier the older I get. So, here are some quick thoughts on what is happening in my world.
-I was angered to see Mizzou head coach Kim Anderson get fired by my Alma Mater; Missouri. Anderson showed improvement as he was asked and the team is clean. By, that I mean no recruiting or NCAA violations and the players are graduating. Cuonzo Martin has had success at Southwest Missouri State, Tennessee and California. But, I don't think he is the guy to take Mizzou to a Final Four. Time will tell. I just hope Missouri doesn't get in that rut of firing and hiring coaches every three to five years. Mizzou tried that in football for 25 years and it didn't work very well.
-I voted for Donald Trump. Actually I voted against Hilary Clinton. But, the more Trump governs as President of this country the more frustrated I become. Trump just doesn't seem to know when to shut the hell up. Maybe he will mature the longer he is president of the USA.
-The St. Louis Blues are like a Pogo stick. They are up and down. They win four or five in a row and then go on a six game losing streak. But, beware NHL teams. They have the players to take this team deep into the playoffs if not win the Stanley Cup.
Finally, I have no clue who will win the NCAA tournament. Of the remaining teams it could be one of about five in the tournament. If I were to pick a team at this point I would go with Kansas. You know I'm a Missouri Tiger fan, but Kansas is playing as well if not better than any other team still alive in the big dance. If Kansas doesn't win it beware the Tarheels.
-I was angered to see Mizzou head coach Kim Anderson get fired by my Alma Mater; Missouri. Anderson showed improvement as he was asked and the team is clean. By, that I mean no recruiting or NCAA violations and the players are graduating. Cuonzo Martin has had success at Southwest Missouri State, Tennessee and California. But, I don't think he is the guy to take Mizzou to a Final Four. Time will tell. I just hope Missouri doesn't get in that rut of firing and hiring coaches every three to five years. Mizzou tried that in football for 25 years and it didn't work very well.
-I voted for Donald Trump. Actually I voted against Hilary Clinton. But, the more Trump governs as President of this country the more frustrated I become. Trump just doesn't seem to know when to shut the hell up. Maybe he will mature the longer he is president of the USA.
-The St. Louis Blues are like a Pogo stick. They are up and down. They win four or five in a row and then go on a six game losing streak. But, beware NHL teams. They have the players to take this team deep into the playoffs if not win the Stanley Cup.
Finally, I have no clue who will win the NCAA tournament. Of the remaining teams it could be one of about five in the tournament. If I were to pick a team at this point I would go with Kansas. You know I'm a Missouri Tiger fan, but Kansas is playing as well if not better than any other team still alive in the big dance. If Kansas doesn't win it beware the Tarheels.
February 04, 2017
Happy Days are Here Again!
It's been two months since my beloved Missouri Tigers had won a basketball game. But, today they took on our neighbors to the south and beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 83-78!
It's been a miserable year for the Tigers. With the win today they improve to 6-16. My guess is they won't get to ten wins this year. But, a win is a win. And beating Arkansas makes it even sweeter. The Razorbacks have been designated Mizzou's rival in the SEC. (Maybe the SEC sees it that way, In my mind the lowlife Kansas Jayhawks will always be Missouri's arch rival. It's just too bad the gutless chicken-hawks refuse to schedule Mizzou).
And I'm happy for Missouri head coach Kim Anderson. Anderson has busted his butt since being hired three years ago to resuscitate a program that had been left in the dumpster. I hope the powers that be in the Missouri athletic department honor his contract and give Coach Anderson another year to turn it around.
It's been a miserable year for the Tigers. With the win today they improve to 6-16. My guess is they won't get to ten wins this year. But, a win is a win. And beating Arkansas makes it even sweeter. The Razorbacks have been designated Mizzou's rival in the SEC. (Maybe the SEC sees it that way, In my mind the lowlife Kansas Jayhawks will always be Missouri's arch rival. It's just too bad the gutless chicken-hawks refuse to schedule Mizzou).
And I'm happy for Missouri head coach Kim Anderson. Anderson has busted his butt since being hired three years ago to resuscitate a program that had been left in the dumpster. I hope the powers that be in the Missouri athletic department honor his contract and give Coach Anderson another year to turn it around.
January 22, 2017
Hail to the Chief
Congratulations to the new President of the United States of America Donald Trump! Trump was sworn in on Friday and those who didn't vote for him continue to whine about him not being duly elected. As a citizen of the United States of America I really wish they would grow up and quit their whining.
I have family members and friends who say "Oh, he didn't get the most votes in the election". They are correct. But the last time I checked the Electoral College has decided the winner of the presidency in every election since this country started. If the Electoral College is such a bad idea why haven't the whiners gotten off their butts and tried to change the US Constitution? A question that needs to be asked of the "whiners" is why didn't they go to the polls in November like they did when Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and 2012? Analysts have repeatedly cited the failure of minorities and Democrats to go to the polls in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. It's pretty simple. If minorities and Democrats had voted for Hillary Clinton at the same rate they did Mr. Obama, Ms. Clinton would be President. But, she's not because her advisers didn't campaign in key counties and didn't get out the vote where they should have.
People in the "rust belt" (those states I mentioned above) are fed up with the economy and with the federal government. Many have lost their jobs and their standard of living is worse than it was eight years ago. I do not blame Mr. Obama for that. In fact, I think he did a great job of running this nation. Like many others the blame needs to go to Congress. Many voters wouldn't vote against their congressional representatives but did apparently blame the Democrats in Congress for problems that were never resolved. My thought is many of those voted against Hillary Clinton or just didn't vote as a protest of the feckless legislative branch of the federal government.
Finally, there are some national media biased against the Trump administration because he has called them out on their policies. As a former journalist I have to say some reporters I know are among the laziest people on earth. They are either unwilling to challenge Mr. Trump's opponents or else just don't understand why US citizens are angry.
This morning I heard one of the most biased interviews on NPR disguised as journalism. I have no idea why these individuals were allowed to rant and complain about the Trump presidency for more than eleven minutes. The name of the piece was: "Examining Obama's Legacy on Race Relations and What to Expect from Trump". One individual on the panel, a "journalist' by the name of Debra Dickerson, spouted hatred of whites and at one point stated "Whites had better wake up". Apparently she is of the belief that we are on the verge of a civil war and cited skirmishes in the 1800's along the Missouri - Kansas border. I respect Ms. Dickerson's right to write what she wants. But, NPR shame on you for giving this racist a forum on public radio stations under the guise of journalism.
It will be interesting to see how some national media treat our 45th president and if as Trump states they are trying to de-legitimize his presidency.
I have family members and friends who say "Oh, he didn't get the most votes in the election". They are correct. But the last time I checked the Electoral College has decided the winner of the presidency in every election since this country started. If the Electoral College is such a bad idea why haven't the whiners gotten off their butts and tried to change the US Constitution? A question that needs to be asked of the "whiners" is why didn't they go to the polls in November like they did when Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and 2012? Analysts have repeatedly cited the failure of minorities and Democrats to go to the polls in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. It's pretty simple. If minorities and Democrats had voted for Hillary Clinton at the same rate they did Mr. Obama, Ms. Clinton would be President. But, she's not because her advisers didn't campaign in key counties and didn't get out the vote where they should have.
People in the "rust belt" (those states I mentioned above) are fed up with the economy and with the federal government. Many have lost their jobs and their standard of living is worse than it was eight years ago. I do not blame Mr. Obama for that. In fact, I think he did a great job of running this nation. Like many others the blame needs to go to Congress. Many voters wouldn't vote against their congressional representatives but did apparently blame the Democrats in Congress for problems that were never resolved. My thought is many of those voted against Hillary Clinton or just didn't vote as a protest of the feckless legislative branch of the federal government.
Finally, there are some national media biased against the Trump administration because he has called them out on their policies. As a former journalist I have to say some reporters I know are among the laziest people on earth. They are either unwilling to challenge Mr. Trump's opponents or else just don't understand why US citizens are angry.
This morning I heard one of the most biased interviews on NPR disguised as journalism. I have no idea why these individuals were allowed to rant and complain about the Trump presidency for more than eleven minutes. The name of the piece was: "Examining Obama's Legacy on Race Relations and What to Expect from Trump". One individual on the panel, a "journalist' by the name of Debra Dickerson, spouted hatred of whites and at one point stated "Whites had better wake up". Apparently she is of the belief that we are on the verge of a civil war and cited skirmishes in the 1800's along the Missouri - Kansas border. I respect Ms. Dickerson's right to write what she wants. But, NPR shame on you for giving this racist a forum on public radio stations under the guise of journalism.
It will be interesting to see how some national media treat our 45th president and if as Trump states they are trying to de-legitimize his presidency.
January 03, 2017
Happy New Year...Even If it's a Few Days Late
I am writing this on January 3rd because frankly I was too busy to write it on January first. I didn't see the New Year in and fell asleep in front of this computer, where I am writing now, about 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
I have enjoyed the New Year thus far because I have not yet gone back to work. That will happen tomorrow and may I say with tongue firmly planted in cheek I can hardly wait to get back to the office and working with a bunch of "unique" individuals.
I guess the most fun I have had in the first three days of 2017 was watching the St. Louis Blues beat up on the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL's "Winter Classic" played yesterday at Busch Stadium. The Hawks scored first, but the Blues came back with four unanswered goals to win the game 4-1. I didn't score tickets to the game but enjoyed it with family and friends in front of my television. The Blues were the better team yesterday, but the Blackhawks are still ahead of the Blues in the division standings.
I also took joy in watching my newly adopted Green Bay Packers beat up on the Detroit Lions on New Year's night. I will write when I get some time about what the Packers front office did for me this past summer so that they are now my favorite NFL team since the Rams bolted St. Louis for Los Angeles. And let me thank my friends L&J for a great day watching NFL Sunday Ticket while feeding me dinner. You guys rock!
One thing about being on vacation is the chance to stay up late each night and to sleep in each morning. I have enjoyed a number of fine craft beers in the past two weeks, some that have made me sleep like a baby. But, now it is time to return to reality. So, with reality in mind let me wish you a Happy and Healthy 2017! May it be your best year yet and may you find it happy, health and prosperous! Happy New Year and "Go Pack Go"!
I have enjoyed the New Year thus far because I have not yet gone back to work. That will happen tomorrow and may I say with tongue firmly planted in cheek I can hardly wait to get back to the office and working with a bunch of "unique" individuals.
I guess the most fun I have had in the first three days of 2017 was watching the St. Louis Blues beat up on the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL's "Winter Classic" played yesterday at Busch Stadium. The Hawks scored first, but the Blues came back with four unanswered goals to win the game 4-1. I didn't score tickets to the game but enjoyed it with family and friends in front of my television. The Blues were the better team yesterday, but the Blackhawks are still ahead of the Blues in the division standings.
I also took joy in watching my newly adopted Green Bay Packers beat up on the Detroit Lions on New Year's night. I will write when I get some time about what the Packers front office did for me this past summer so that they are now my favorite NFL team since the Rams bolted St. Louis for Los Angeles. And let me thank my friends L&J for a great day watching NFL Sunday Ticket while feeding me dinner. You guys rock!
One thing about being on vacation is the chance to stay up late each night and to sleep in each morning. I have enjoyed a number of fine craft beers in the past two weeks, some that have made me sleep like a baby. But, now it is time to return to reality. So, with reality in mind let me wish you a Happy and Healthy 2017! May it be your best year yet and may you find it happy, health and prosperous! Happy New Year and "Go Pack Go"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)