Happy Labor Day 2018!

Today the United States of America recognizes the hard working men and women who have helped build this nation into what it is today.  Much of the credit for advancements and improvements in the lives of many Americans go to labor unions and guilds.

Health insurance, the 40 hour work week, paid vacations and most benefits from employers are the results of labor taking a stand against management.  In 2018 America it seems as if the divide between top management and the rank and file worker is more divided than ever.  So, with that in mind thank labor for stopping some of the more inane proposals from ownership and top management.  Sure, there have been abuses from big labor, as well as management, but those have usually been corrected when rank and file union members have stood for what is right.

This year the state in which I live (Missouri) went to the polls in August and overwhelmingly rejected "Right to Work" legislation that had been approved by the state's Republican controlled legislature.  Management claimed right to work would make it easier to attract new companies to the state.  But, labor countered with right to work would mean lost wages for workers in Missouri.

It's kind of strange how history repeats itself because Missourians overwhelmingly rejected right to work legislation 40 years ago when I was just starting out in the work force.  But, politicians have short memories and deep pockets so the issue was again put on the ballot.  Hopefully, the most recent vote will put right to work back on the shelf for many, many years.

I hope wherever you are and whatever you are doing today you celebrate labor and have a happy, safe and blessed Labor Day!

Congratulations Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Traditionally I have posted congratulations to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.  While my interest in professional football is not what it once was the men inducted into this year's class worked as hard as anyone who has ever played to earn their spot in Canton, Ohio.

I count myself fortunate to have seen some of these guys play in person and the rest on television.  So, without further ado, congratulations to:contributor Bobby Beathard, linebacker Robert Brazile, safety Brian Dawkins, guard Jerry Kramer, linebacker Ray Lewis, wide receiver Randy Moss, wide receiver Terrell Owens, and linebacker Brian Urlacher.

It took a longtime for Kramer and Brazile to get to Canton, but the honor is well deserved for each of these men.  Congratulations class of 2018!

Congratulations to Baseball's Newest Hall of Famers

This is a little late, but better late than never.  Congratulations to the Class of 2018 who were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY the weekend of July 28 - 29.

I count myself fortunate to have seen all six of this year's inductees play in person. Chipper Jones of the Braves, Vladimir Guerrero of the Expos, Jim Thome of the Indians and Trevor Hoffman of the Padres all played against my beloved Cardinals and I was fortunate to be able to see all of them on several occasions at Busch Stadium II or Busch Stadium III in St. Louis.  I saw Jack Morris and Alan Trammell of the Tigers on a road trip to visit friends when we took in a game against the Angels in May of 1984 at old Tiger Stadium located at the corner of Michigan & Trumbull  I was also lucky enough to see Morris pitch and Trammell play shortstop against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufmann Stadium on different occasions during the 80s.  All six of these men are deserving of the honor to be called Hall of Famers.

Two more men joined the Hall this year not as players but as those who describe the action of baseball.  The winner of the J. G. Taylor Spink Writer's Award is Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal.  Joining Ocker was this year's Ford C. Frick Broadcaster's Award winner Bob Costas.  I have had the chance to listen to Costas frequently since he worked for KMOX radio in my home town.  Costas went on to bigger and better things working for NBC and the MLB network calling baseball, football, basketball, hockey and the Olympics.  Congratulations to Ocker and Costas!

Random Thoughts at Baseball's All-Star Break

My beloved Cardinals baseball team has fired Mike Matheny as its manager and now starts the second half of the season with interim manager Mike Schildt.  I'm not sure I would have made the change to Schildt now.  If the Cards are serious they would have named a new permanent manager immediately.  My choice would have been former infielder Jose Oquendo who reportedly relates well to Latin players and young players.  But, the Cardinals went interim instead.  Perhaps Oquendo doesn't want the job or the Cardinals have something else planned.  I am skeptical the team will get back into the National League Central division race this season.

-The MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night epitomized everything wrong with the professional game.  Just like regular season games, batters were swinging for the fences in each at bat and striking out at a record pace.  While the home run is an exciting part of the game its pursuit results in a lack of action on the field.  Wake up MLB.  As far as the All-Star Game, thank God we won't have to deal with it for another year.

-Finally, if you put a gun to my head and ask who will be in the World Series this year, I will say the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Dodgers have struggled at times, but in my opinion they are the best of a mediocre National League.  Ultimately I expect the Dodgers' pitching to put them into the series.  I also think the Red Sox are much better than any team that would face them in the World Series.  The Bosox pitching, hitting, defense and speed will carry them to their second world title in the last six years.

Happy 242nd Birthday USA!

Today marks the 242 anniversary of the United States of America.  This my where I live and I am proud to be a citizen of this great land.  Yes, we have our problems and with any nation we have our disagreements and arguments over how we should be headed and how we should be treating our citizens.  But, I can think of no other place I would rather live.  I originally posted the article below several years ago.  It still holds true today.  Happy 4th of July America!


"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 242nd 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"!