As I predicted, the Giants lost. That should not be a surprise because the Rangers is a good team and would never fold even down 0-2. The good news for the Rangers is their big guns (Hamilton and Cruz) started hitting. Plus, this Feliz guy is good at 99MPH, wow!. The not-very-good-news is 3 of the 4 runs was scored by a home-run by Moreland, their # 9 hitter. That is not what the Rangers want to count on. Without that home-run, the could have lost.
From the Giants perspective, just one bad inning. The good news is they score the last 2 runs of the game and had little more (just a little) momentum going into game 4.
Now, the game in Texas, DH is in used, which favor offense and benefit to the Rangers. The Giants' Pat Burrell still not hitting and look terrible at the plate. Pablo Sandoval looked like what he did all year, which isn't very good and simply chopping at the balls. Boche has done a great job managing, I am hoping to see some adjustment in these 2 spots.
Game 4 will be a true test because at the end the series would either be 3-1 or 2-2. I expect a great game tomorrow.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
California has a couple interest races for governor with Jerry Brown vs. Meg Whitman, and for Senator Barbara Boxer vs. Carly Fiorina.
I would consider my political stand as a moderate Democrat. But for the governor's race, I voted (via absentee) for Meg Whitman. I am sorry Mr. Brown, you were a governor once and the record was so-so. You were the mayor of Oakland, and the record was so-so. Maybe because of my Silicon Valley gene, a good CEO like Meg Whitman is appealing to me. After-all, California has become very business unfriendly and someone with a business background would be helpful. A career business person is more appealing than a career politician to me.
Now, on the other race, I can say the same about Barbara Boxer (career politician) and Carly Fiorina (career business person). There is one BIG different, however, Meg Whitman is a SUCCESSFUL CEO, yet Carly Fiorina is a FAILED CEO. Mrs. Whitman helped built eBay from small startup to a multi-billion dollar business. Yet, Mrs. Fiorina took a highly successful and respected company in HP and nearly destroyed it.
So, in this election, I voted for the Republican Meg Whitman for governor and for the Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer. Although the polls show Brown is winning and Fiorina might win. Well, what do I know?
I would consider my political stand as a moderate Democrat. But for the governor's race, I voted (via absentee) for Meg Whitman. I am sorry Mr. Brown, you were a governor once and the record was so-so. You were the mayor of Oakland, and the record was so-so. Maybe because of my Silicon Valley gene, a good CEO like Meg Whitman is appealing to me. After-all, California has become very business unfriendly and someone with a business background would be helpful. A career business person is more appealing than a career politician to me.
Now, on the other race, I can say the same about Barbara Boxer (career politician) and Carly Fiorina (career business person). There is one BIG different, however, Meg Whitman is a SUCCESSFUL CEO, yet Carly Fiorina is a FAILED CEO. Mrs. Whitman helped built eBay from small startup to a multi-billion dollar business. Yet, Mrs. Fiorina took a highly successful and respected company in HP and nearly destroyed it.
So, in this election, I voted for the Republican Meg Whitman for governor and for the Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer. Although the polls show Brown is winning and Fiorina might win. Well, what do I know?
Friday, October 29, 2010
Can Harvick ever win the championship
Despite all the World Series excitement, there is another close contest of the Nascar Sprint Cup Championship going down to the last 4 races of the season. Effectively speaking, there are only 3 drivers have a good shoot at the Championship; Jimmie Johnson, #48, the 4-time defending champion, Denny Hamlin, #11, and Kevin Harvick, #29.
Here, I am going to talk about Kevin Harvick and why he will not win and probably will never win until he grows up. He is a 11 year veteran, but yet is immature like an rookies. For example,
1. Remember how he took out Joey Logano, the shouting match afterward (those are all understandable giving the heat of the moment), then Joel mentioned Kevin's wife (that was immature and over the line), but then Kevin jabbed at Joel and on and on. Remember, you have an 11 year veteran and a 2nd year kid. Instead, you have 2 kids, not an adult and a kid.
2. Remember Cliff Bowyer won at Dover, then failed the post-race inspection. No, I am not going to comment whether the inspection was fair or not. After Denny Hamlin made comments accusing RCR, Harvick hit Hamlin during practice. I understand he is upset. But Mr. Harvick, why bring the attention and distraction to yourself as you go into the Chase.
3. Just 2 weeks ago, opening complain about this crew. And they probably weren't the best and a change did happen eventually. But it definitely didn't win any friends.
4. Last week, he and Jeff Burton, a teammate, started a fight in the middle of the race by banging on each other, then complain to the press. Wow. Right in the middle of a championship fight.
Can you imagine the Giants and Rangers to start a flight among themselves rather than the opponent. His immaturity makes it ever so difficult to really win it all while under pressure. Until he grows up, it is hard to see that right now.
Here, I am going to talk about Kevin Harvick and why he will not win and probably will never win until he grows up. He is a 11 year veteran, but yet is immature like an rookies. For example,
1. Remember how he took out Joey Logano, the shouting match afterward (those are all understandable giving the heat of the moment), then Joel mentioned Kevin's wife (that was immature and over the line), but then Kevin jabbed at Joel and on and on. Remember, you have an 11 year veteran and a 2nd year kid. Instead, you have 2 kids, not an adult and a kid.
2. Remember Cliff Bowyer won at Dover, then failed the post-race inspection. No, I am not going to comment whether the inspection was fair or not. After Denny Hamlin made comments accusing RCR, Harvick hit Hamlin during practice. I understand he is upset. But Mr. Harvick, why bring the attention and distraction to yourself as you go into the Chase.
3. Just 2 weeks ago, opening complain about this crew. And they probably weren't the best and a change did happen eventually. But it definitely didn't win any friends.
4. Last week, he and Jeff Burton, a teammate, started a fight in the middle of the race by banging on each other, then complain to the press. Wow. Right in the middle of a championship fight.
Can you imagine the Giants and Rangers to start a flight among themselves rather than the opponent. His immaturity makes it ever so difficult to really win it all while under pressure. Until he grows up, it is hard to see that right now.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Mr. Jim Cramer
Early on, I was never much of a Jim Cramer fan because he is such a loud-mouth and crazy, even though I watch him on the Kudlow & Cramer. Then, I ever made fun of him when he made some bad calls.
Then, this summer, while attending TDAmeritade investor workshop, Jim Cramer's name came up as one of the all-time top investors. I have my doubt but decided to watch his Mad Money show and read this book.
For the past 3 months, I watched his show every day and finally understand what make Mr. Cramer special. He recommends good solid stocks which have STARTED the run up. If you are looking to follow Cramer and get 200% or 300% gain, forget it. But for 20%-30%, even 60%-70% run (I'll take that).
Consider his C.A.N.D.I.E.S recommendations:
CMG - from $88 to $210 YTD up 139%
AAPL - from $210 to $305 YTD up 45%
NFLX - from $55 to $175 YTD up 218%
DECK - from $34 to $54 YTD up 59%
ISRG - from $303 to $262 YTD down 14%
ESRX - from $43 to $48 YTD up 11%
CRM - from $73 to $115 YTD up 69%
That is only YTD in 2010. I don't know about you but those are pretty good picks. All investors will get it wrong sometime, Cramer is human too. As Cramer suggests, we can't simply follow his advise blindly, we need to do our homework as well (I guess that is his ways to minimize criticism).
But in any case, you need to have you own investment styles and preference. No matter what any advisor say, you got to evaluate based on your own belief before investing.
All in all, my view of Jim Cramer has changed 180 degree. I used ridicule him but now I respect him. If you are like me, skepticism is good but it is OK to change your view sometime.
Then, this summer, while attending TDAmeritade investor workshop, Jim Cramer's name came up as one of the all-time top investors. I have my doubt but decided to watch his Mad Money show and read this book.
For the past 3 months, I watched his show every day and finally understand what make Mr. Cramer special. He recommends good solid stocks which have STARTED the run up. If you are looking to follow Cramer and get 200% or 300% gain, forget it. But for 20%-30%, even 60%-70% run (I'll take that).
Consider his C.A.N.D.I.E.S recommendations:
CMG - from $88 to $210 YTD up 139%
AAPL - from $210 to $305 YTD up 45%
NFLX - from $55 to $175 YTD up 218%
DECK - from $34 to $54 YTD up 59%
ISRG - from $303 to $262 YTD down 14%
ESRX - from $43 to $48 YTD up 11%
CRM - from $73 to $115 YTD up 69%
That is only YTD in 2010. I don't know about you but those are pretty good picks. All investors will get it wrong sometime, Cramer is human too. As Cramer suggests, we can't simply follow his advise blindly, we need to do our homework as well (I guess that is his ways to minimize criticism).
But in any case, you need to have you own investment styles and preference. No matter what any advisor say, you got to evaluate based on your own belief before investing.
All in all, my view of Jim Cramer has changed 180 degree. I used ridicule him but now I respect him. If you are like me, skepticism is good but it is OK to change your view sometime.
Go Giants!!
Did I say Giants in 6? It looks more likely that it will happen. The Rangers will win 2 of 3 in Texas and the Giants can finish it off in game 6 in AT&T Park. Yea.
Now, looking back to game 1. Obviously, it was great to see the Giants broke out of their hitting slump by scoring 11 runs, but do it against Cliff Lee, who all the experts say is absolutely un-hittable. Naaaa! The best news coming out of game 1 was obviously the victory. The second best news was they beat the unbeatable Cliff Lee. The third best news was they scored 11 runs. But the bad news that I didn't like was the Giants reliever gave up 3 runs in the ninth which I thought shift the momentum to the Rangers.
But tonight, game 2 was much different than I expected. One, I thought it might rain, it didn't. Two, I thought the game could be sloppy if it rains and windy, no it didn't. A great pitching dual until the Giants broke it open in the eighth. That 7 runs in the eighth can really send a message. Not just the Giants pitches beat Lee, Wilson, and the bullpens also. Now, the Rangers can think out this 0-9 lost in game 2 and 0-2 in the series as they fly home and think it through for an extra day. The momentum is clearly on the Giants side.
Clearly, this is the time to test the team's character. The Rangers can fold and lose in 4, which I doubt it would happen. After-all, they came back and beat the Rays and Yankees. My prediction, game 3 to Rangers, game 4 to Giants, game 5 to Rangers, and game 6 to Giants!
Now, looking back to game 1. Obviously, it was great to see the Giants broke out of their hitting slump by scoring 11 runs, but do it against Cliff Lee, who all the experts say is absolutely un-hittable. Naaaa! The best news coming out of game 1 was obviously the victory. The second best news was they beat the unbeatable Cliff Lee. The third best news was they scored 11 runs. But the bad news that I didn't like was the Giants reliever gave up 3 runs in the ninth which I thought shift the momentum to the Rangers.
But tonight, game 2 was much different than I expected. One, I thought it might rain, it didn't. Two, I thought the game could be sloppy if it rains and windy, no it didn't. A great pitching dual until the Giants broke it open in the eighth. That 7 runs in the eighth can really send a message. Not just the Giants pitches beat Lee, Wilson, and the bullpens also. Now, the Rangers can think out this 0-9 lost in game 2 and 0-2 in the series as they fly home and think it through for an extra day. The momentum is clearly on the Giants side.
Clearly, this is the time to test the team's character. The Rangers can fold and lose in 4, which I doubt it would happen. After-all, they came back and beat the Rays and Yankees. My prediction, game 3 to Rangers, game 4 to Giants, game 5 to Rangers, and game 6 to Giants!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Blog renewed - Go Giants
This blog started right after Super Bowl Sunday in 2008. I know ... I have been lazy. But today is the San Francisco Giants' match to their first World Series Championship since moving to San Francisco. I admit it is a bit premature but that is what fans do.
Serious speaking, the Texas Rangers would have to be the favorite again, but don't worry the Giants has always been the underdog all years. Assuming the pitching match-up of
Lee vs. Lincecum, then Wilson vs. Cain, Lewis vs. Sanchez, Hunter vs. Bumgarner, the edge goes to the Giants. As for hitting, no doubt the edge goes to the Rangers. As we all know, pitching wins Championship.
My prediction: another series of exciting, nail-biting, torturing 1-run games. And Giants will win in 6. Go Giants!!!!!!
Serious speaking, the Texas Rangers would have to be the favorite again, but don't worry the Giants has always been the underdog all years. Assuming the pitching match-up of
Lee vs. Lincecum, then Wilson vs. Cain, Lewis vs. Sanchez, Hunter vs. Bumgarner, the edge goes to the Giants. As for hitting, no doubt the edge goes to the Rangers. As we all know, pitching wins Championship.
My prediction: another series of exciting, nail-biting, torturing 1-run games. And Giants will win in 6. Go Giants!!!!!!
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