Chicago Cubs or Cleveland Indians-Go World Series!

Game three of World Series 2016 starts shortly. So far it's been a pretty good series. A real toss up in terms of who is going to win the World Series Trophy.

I have been rooting for the Cubs since they knocked the SF Giants out. I'm for the Cubs, but I was surprised to see and hear how many baseball fans are rooting for Cleveland here in California. I consider myself to be a baseball fan, but I am not as familiar with American League (AL) teams as I should be. As a fan who regularly watches and often goes to Giants games the National League (NL) is way more familiar. Cleveland making it to the World Series and winning the first game was a poignant reminder to myself that I need to pay more attention to the AL. I go to Oakland Athletics games so there is no excuse as a fan for not being knowledgable of all teams.

How about yourself? Do you only know your own team and league? Or maybe you just know your team and don't care to know much about other teams. There is nothing wrong with that. My own preference is to learn and know as much as possible about all teams. That will include more study on the AL in 2017.

I am not against either the Cubs or the Indians. It has been a long time since either team has gone this far so let's root, root, root for the World Series.

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Why is U.S. Labor Participation Rate so Low?

The official unemployment rate in the United States is below 5%. If these numbers are a true reflection of the economy why have wages not gone up significantly? If the unemployment rate is an accurate account of how the U.S. economy is doing, why is the labor participation rate so low? The latest statistic from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the participation rate in September 2016 at 62.9%. In September 2006 the participation rage was 66.1%.

This post is for all the people, especially younger and older workers who don't believe the unemployment rate is a very good indicator of job availability. It's no secret the unemployment rate does not take into account those who have given up looking for work. Millions of workers lost their jobs during the great recession. After their unemployment benefits ran out many gave up looking for jobs. They don't count as being unemployed.

The unemployment rate is not a great way to measure the economy. The rate does not reflect what is really happening in the economy. Here are a few reasons why:

• The unemployment rate does not include workers of all ages who would like to work, but have become so discouraged they stopped looking.  
• The number of new applications for unemployment is cited as a major factor in how the labor sector is doing. These reports don't take into account workers laid off who don't qualify for unemployment. You have to work for a certain period of time to qualify. There are lots of other factors that disqualify those who have lost their jobs.
• The unemployment rate does not factor in older workers who would like to work. Many of these workers were pushed out of jobs in favor of younger workers. There is a reason nearly half the workforce at age 62 years are choosing to take social security early. They were pushed out of the workforce and can't find new employment. Surprise, surprise they don't count as unemployed!
• The unemployment rate does not reflect the millions of millenials working part-time who would like full-time employment. It does not count under-employed workers of all ages working in jobs not using their skills or education.

The labor participation rate is a better statistic on how healthy the labor force is doing. No statistic tells the whole story. In today's economy the unemployment rate going down is celebrated like a World Series win. The main problem is millions of potential workers don't count and nobody talks about it. The labor participation has declined every year since 2008 and nobody talks about it. You would think Republicans would jump on this talking point, but most politicians think the American public would not understand this statistic because we the electorate are too stupid. So politicians talk about something simple. The unemployment rate.

The next time you see headlines on the news about how the unemployment rate has dropped or fewer than expected workers have filed for unemployment think about the millions of younger underemployed workers living in their parents basements or the older workers shunned by HR departments in companies large and small and remember they don't count in either statistic.  

Next time: Many politicians talk about how important it is to get GDP up to 3,4, 5, 6 %. Do these same public officials even know what GDP is?

Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians came out with their Ace Corey Kluber and shutdown the Cubs. This is a great way for the Indians to get the series started. Should the Cubs panic? Absolutely Not. Chicago was down 2-1 vs the Dodgers and that worked out well. The first game in a seven game series is important, but it doesn't define a series. When you lose a game 6-0 and the opposing pitcher looks as sharp as Kluber, the best thing to do is tip your cap. Cliche, I know but so true. Tip your cap and prepare for game two.

As a San Francisco Giants fan, I hope this series goes seven games. That means more baseball and one station spending less time on elections. Oh my gosh, please play right up until November 2nd, regardless of the weather. Thank goodness for the NFL, NBA, NHL which are either beginning play or in the middle of their seasons.

As a baseball fan, I am happy to see both of these teams in the World Series. The fans in Cleveland and Chicago have waited a long, long time for these moments and two thumbs up for both teams.

Go Cubs! Go Indians!

Capital Public Radio Hosts-Logical People Living Longer Should Work Longer

It's a common conclusion and seems like a logical solution to the Social Security funding issue. People are living longer so have them work longer!  I heard this on Capitol Public radio this morning during a short discussion on funding Social Security. Both hosts concluded it was logical since people are living longer they should be able to work longer. I am not picking on Capital Public radio. I listen to them daily and love all their programming.  It's pretty common for anyone with a desk job to suggest, hey we are living longer so work longer.

These innocent and naive conclusions disregard the following:

1. The general conclusion usually comes from people that are sitting at desks or have a job in public office where the only physical issues will be eye strain from looking at their computers all day. What about the plumber that has arthritis in his wrists? The 60 year old maid who has to be on her feet all day? The janitor at your local school? The retail person who is on their feet all day?


2. It's great that employers like Capital Public radio appreciate their older reporters and want to keep them employed. This is not the norm. Many employers, I would actually suggest most employers prefer younger workers and push older workers out the door as soon as it is possible. It starts slowly with some job responsibilities taken away and given to younger workers and progresses into being left out of decision making and important meetings. Eventually older workers get the message and leave.


3. Try to find a job after you are fifty-plus and then suggest upping the age to be eligible for Social Security. Many workers find themselves unemployed through no fault of their own. Sometimes it's a downturn in the economy. Most of the time it is #2.  Most employers don't like older workers. Of course, there are some organizations that really appreciate the experience, education, great work ethic and team work that workers over fifty bring to the table. Those employers should be commended with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, these employers are not the norm.

I was disappointed to hear Capital Public Radio hosts jump to this naive general conclusion. The snappy conclusion does not consider real World work conditions for many older Americans.

San Francisco Giants Season has Closure but Not a Closer

I waited a couple days to write my last SF Giants post for 2016. The season was an up and down and sideways kind of year. The team played some great baseball and struggled at times. The offense scored a lot of runs at times and in other stretches offense was as scarce as rain in California. The starting pitching was the most consistent part of the teams play for most of the season.

At the very end not being able to close out games became the main issue of 2016. In the general baseball scheme of things if you are able to get an insurance run late and lead by two runs in the ninth inning, it should "almost" be a given that victory is yours. That was not the case for the 2016 SF Giants team. The bullpen blew more saves than any other MLB club. There is no getting to the World Series without a solid closer and reliable setup guys.

The guys in Orange and Black have dedicated fans like myself who are already looking forward to the 2017 season. The front office for the Giants will need to address the weaknesses of the team even if it means adding to the payroll. October of 2017 depends on making continual improvements with bold moves in the off season.

The season is over and the SF Giants team has many solid players that will return. With a few tweaks the 2017 team will be very competitive and fans have a lot of great games to look forward to next season. And that is the beauty of baseball. There is always next year.

Go Giants!!!

San Francisco Giants Stay Alive for a Game Four

The San Francisco Giants won in the 13th inning last night against the Chicago Cubs after Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik hit back to back doubles. It was a baseball game that hardcore fans really love. The final score Giants 6, Cubs 5.

Of course, Giants fans everywhere would have preferred to see Sergio Romo end it in the ninth inning with the Orange and Black leading 5-3.  Extra innings on your home turf can end disastrously. It just was not meant to be. The home run by Chris Bryant who most likely will win MVP tied the game at 5-5.

Both teams battled into the 13th inning and it was the Giants who were able to send runs across the plate to end the game. It could have gone either way. The guys in Orange and Black live to play at least one more game. The Cubs still lead the series 2-1. I'm thinking it is like being down 3-2 in a seven game series. In both scenarios you have to win two in a row to take the series.

Take a look at highlights of the game on the SF Giants web site by clicking HERE.

Game four takes place in San Francisco tonight at 5:30 PST.  Right hander John Lackey will battle lefty Matt Moore with the season on the line for the Giants.

Go Matt Moore! Go Giants!!!

The Good Guys in Orange and Black are Against the Wall

I have not posted since the SF Giants headed to New York to play the Wild Card game. That game turned out very well for the Giants. In fact the club has looked very good over the last five games. Why are they down 0-2? The Chicago Cubs have played better.

Baseball is not a complicated. The Chicago Cubs have played better, just a little better in game one of the series and significantly better last night in game two.

It's never ideal to be down in a series. Giants fans can take a smidgen of consolation knowing that in 2014 they were in the same position and came back to win three in a row. Will this happen again? The odds say no. Fans don't care about odds. True fans think their team is in it until the 27th out of the final game.

Here is a link to watch Gregor Blanco's hit that drove in the Giants first run last night. To watch the video courtesy of MLB.com click HERE.

Jake Arrieta goes against Madison Bumgarner in San Francisco, Monday night at 6:30 PST.

Go Bumgarner! Go Giants!!!

Giants Fans Ready for Third Part of Season!

The first half of the 2016 MLB season for the Giants was terrific. The second half was not what anyone wearing Orange and Black hoped for, until the last game! Bumpy rides are expected over the course of 162 games. Now the focus is on one game in New York.

The SF Giants play in New York on Wednesday. All teams going into the playoffs have the same 0-0 record. Anything can happen and that is why Giants fans everywhere are excited.

Matt Moore did a terrific job on Sunday. He was masterful over the Dodgers. Sergio Romo came in for the ninth and closed out the game.  The Giants offense continued from the day before and this is exactly what the team needed to get into the playoffs. They needed a sweep of the Dodgers and they "made" it happen.

Here is the MLB.com video of close by Romo. Click HERE to view and see all other SF Giants videos. Ty Blach and Madison Bumgarner and the Giants offense made huge contributions to make the New York game on Wednesday a reality. The last series of the year was the biggest and best.

Madison Bumgarner and Noah Syndergaard get to start the Wild Card game Wednesday at 5:00 PST.

Go Madison Bumgarner! Go Giants!!!

SF Giants Bats Alive! at Right Time!!!

The San Francisco Giants bats came to life at the right time in the 6th inning against the LA Dodgers. What perfect timing! Love it! Seven runs in one inning, oh my gosh!

Here is the MLB.com video of the display of hitting including Madison Bumgarner getting into the action. MLB.com video just click HERE.

The Giants and Dodgers are back in action at 1:05 PST today. On the mound for the Giants is Ty Blach vs Clayton Kershaw.

Go Ty Blach! Go Giants!!!