Taking Back the Investing Game

Ah, summertime. The perfect reflection point for a fellow like me whose passions include baseball and investing.

Balloting has begun for the All-Star Game, that midseason classic offering every fan the chance to gaze optimistically toward the second half of the season, no matter how lousy the hometown team's record is.

Likewise, Wall Street throttles back to a civilized pace before making what investors hope will be a strong second-half run. ...