Dykstra: All In on Intel
Lenny Dykstra
03/14/07 - 08:50 AM EDT
How would you like to own a company that has $10 billion in cash and does $35 billion in revenue? Sound good? It sure sounds good to me. Oh, I almost forgot: The company is also No. 1 in the world at what they do.
Sometimes things can be so obvious they are confusing. That is my feeling about the price of
Intel(INTC Quote) stock. When it comes to technology, Intel and
Cisco(CSCO Quote) have been the dominant players for years, and guess what?
They still are.
And when it comes to counting chips, Intel has the largest stack at the table, by far. So, playing from this position of strength, I am going all in with Intel, the world's largest semiconductor chipmaker.
Shares have been hurt by weaker-than-expected sales and lackluster forecasts, but semiconductor inventory levels should begin clearing out by the middle of this year. Also, all chipmakers have been hurt by a shift in the wireless handset market toward lower-end phones. However, another shift will occur later this year, as the consumer returns to the new, high-tech handsets, thereby improving growth.
Intel has unequivocally reaffirmed its dominant position as the world's largest semiconductor chipmaker. It is well known for its dominant market share in microprocessors for personal computers. Although the PC processor is a mainstay, Intel has expanded its product lines to serve the networking and communications markets. The company's mission is to be the preeminent supplier of silicon chips and platform products to the worldwide digital economy, and Intel has taken apart
Advanced Micro Devices(AMD Quote).
Intel has been playing in the big leagues for a long time, and it will always be the biggest and the best, period. I am going to buy 10 July 15 calls (NQGC) at $4.50 or better, which is equal to 1,000 shares of Intel's common stock. This is one of the safest plays I have written about. Lock and load!
Now let's talk sports.
The game of baseball was supposedly invented by Abner Doubleday in a cow pasture in 1839 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Over the years it evolved into America 's pastime. There has always been a Rockwellian quality to baseball. Baseball was played by real men who honored and respected the traditions of the game. While their off-field antics were not always exemplary (witness Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth), the code they played by was universal and unquestioned.
Today we often dub stars "throwback players" or "players from another era" in an effort to compliment their style of play. Sadly, baseball lost one of those players last week, and I lost a mentor for whom I had the utmost respect.
John Vukovich was a third baseman, a third-base coach, a bench coach, a husband, a father and a friend. Above all, "Vuk," as we knew him, was a real man. He epitomized the way baseball was intended to be played. He conducted himself in a manner befitting the code that had its origins in that cow pasture in Cooperstown.
Vuk was fiercely loyal, trustworthy, and had an uncanny ability to read people. He could readily detect purveyors of the commodity that invariably permeates the cow pasture, and his distaste for such was undeniable. Nonetheless, if you were able to earn his trust, he became an invaluable resource with tremendous insight and unlimited knowledge.
My initial encounter with Vuk certainly did not engender a warm feeling. On the contrary, it was more like frostbite. I was a rookie with the Mets and he was a coach with the Cubs. I attempted to strike up a conversation with him, but was met with a frigid shoulder. I was initially miffed at his snub.
However, I later came to realize the reasons for it. Vuk was old school, which dictated that you did not give opposing players the time of day. Quite frankly, until I was fortunate enough to understand him, I was intimidated by Vuk.
During my tenure in Philly, Vuk was the bench coach, an incredibly important position in baseball. The bench coach is responsible for the lineup, positioning players, keeping track of who is available, orchestrating double switches and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of all the opposing players.
Additionally, Vuk was responsible for running spring training. Characteristically, the coach who runs spring training is hand-picked by the manager based on his capabilities, and perhaps more importantly, his dependability.
As a member of the Phillies, I came to know Vuk in an entirely different way, as one of his players. Vuk, the man, put the pro in professional. He was punctual, prepared and always looked impeccable in his uniform.
He was a phenomenal teacher, who encouraged you when you were hot, and had suggestions based on your previous successes when you were not. Gradually, I earned my way into the inner circle, where I learned that Vuk had a tremendous sense of humor.
Vuk taught me many things, not the least of which was that baseball is serious business. As such, the stakes are extremely high. Therefore, trusting anybody is difficult, at best. I can honestly say that Vuk was the only guy in uniform that I ever confided in, for which I will be eternally grateful. Vuk did not seek accolades; he was satisfied to just do his job and live his life his way.
Vuk, valiant and veritable, unique and unwavering, knowing and knowledgeable, was quite simply, a man. Undoubtedly, Abner Doubleday would be proud of the way Vuk represented the game. I am proud to have known him. The lessons he taught me have been, and will continue to be, passed on to my sons. Vuk, thanks for the man you were, and the man you will always be! The Players Club will embrace your ideals and do our best to protect our inner circle.
Life is a journey. Vuk, my ride has been greatly enhanced by knowing you.
