2015 MLB Team Preview: New York Yankees

Derek Jeter? Nope. Hiroki Kuroda? Nope. Alex Rodriguez? Ugh…yes.

The Yankees will have issues this season with age, but they do have some young players to help keep them competitive. It will be interesting how GM Brian Cashman deals with the older players going forward. They are on the hook for a lot of money. I doubt they will get much in return for some of their high-priced veterans.

The AL East is expected to be very competitive. Toronto and Boston were very active this offseason with trades and free agent signings. Can the Yankees keep up with them?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the New York Yankees.

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Sports Crush: WWE Diva – Paige (Again!)

The last time we profiled Paige, she was in the WWE’s developmental territory NXT. She has since won the Divas Championship in her RAW debut and has become one of the most popular Divas. She also stars on E!’s ‘Total Divas’ program with The Bella Twins, Eva Marie, Natalya and many others.

We’ve written a handful of ‘Sports Crush’ posts since we launched AmericasWhiteBoy.com. We have spotlighted WWE Divas Lana, Summer Rae & A.J. Lee. The response was so great, we decided to profile Paige for a second time.

Paige (her real name Saraya-Jade Bevis) has been wrestling since she was 13. She comes from a wrestling family. She was known as Britani Knight in the U.K. before she came into the WWE in 2011. She is only 22 years old and her future is bright. She should be a mainstay in the WWE for a long time.

Once you see Paige, you’ll know why we’re crushing on her. We’ve added some photos and a very special .GIF for you to enjoy. Continue reading →

2015 MLB Team Preview: New York Mets

The Mets have been the butt of many jokes the last decade. Their owner got hammered in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme and their name right’s owner on their ballpark was one of the architects of the 2008 financial collapse. It’s about time for something to go right in New York.

I actually have a crush on the New York Mets this season. I have been known to fall in love with prospects, especially pitchers, but there’s a lot to like on the Mets. Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler showed promise in 2014 and Matt Harvey is set to return from Tommy John surgery. They also have pitcher Noah Syndergaard waiting in Triple-A for a call-up.

The Mets even have defense on their side. Juan Lagares is possibly the most underrated defensive outfielder in the Majors. They also still have David Wright manning the hot corner. Opposing teams will have a low BABIP against the Mets this season.

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the New York Mets.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have one of the best farm systems in baseball. It took a blow with Miguel Sano needing Tommy John surgery last season, but he’s already impressing everyone at Spring Training.

The Twins are only expected to win around 70 games this season, but if a few of their young players catch fire, they could make some noise.

The AL Central is top-heavy with Detroit looking like a lock to win the division. Chicago and Kansas City made a lot of moves this offseason and Cleveland brings back their entire core group of players. Can Minnesota squeeze their way into that group in the standings?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Minnesota Twins.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

On paper, the Milwaukee Brewers have one of the most talented starting lineups in the National League. Unfortunately, they are thin on depth. It could be a long season if something unforeseen happens.

Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura are two of the best defensive players in the National League. Their bats aren’t too shabby either. They should both be All-Stars in 2015.

Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse anchor a starting rotation that is a bit top-heavy. Mike Fiers was hot at the end of the year, but he hasn’t been able to put together an entire season. The back of the rotation could have trouble.

Khris Davis struck out in nearly 25% of his at-bats in 2014. Will he be more patient this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Milwaukee Brewers.

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Sweetbob’s Hipster Music Playlist: March 2015

I’ve been drowning in MLB team previews and fantasy baseball position rankings, so I thoroughly enjoyed making this month’s Hipster Music Playlist. It is filled with new bands and some that might be familiar to you.

I always keep an ear out for new music. I love discovering new bands/songs, it’s a habit from my days as a music journalist. Even though this is mostly a sports blog, I still add quite a bit of music and pop culture content.

I have been called a hipster on more than one occasion. I like indie music more than any other genre of music. Don’t get me wrong, I can rock out to Richard Marx or Ace of Base (depending on the amount of alcohol in my system).

These songs may not be able to melt the snow in your area, but I think you will enjoy them.

Here are 15 new indie songs I’m currently listening to. Your ears will thank you for listening!

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Miami Marlins

Watch out, guys. The Miami Marlins opened their checkbooks this offseason. This happens once a decade, so enjoy it while it lasts.

Miami paid Giancarlo Stanton to a big contract and traded for some legit talent. They didn’t acquire washed-up players. They acquired guys like Dee Gordon and Mat Latos. Players who are just now hitting their prime.

Miami will be without their ace Jose Fernandez for the first few months of the season. He needed Tommy John last May. He is already throwing off a mound, so they are circling June as a possible return date.

Can they compete for the NL East crown?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Miami Marlins.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best rosters in the Majors. They are loaded with established veterans, enthusiastic youth and one of the best starting rotations in the league. This could be a big season for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have deep pockets and have been throwing money at players since they signed their lucrative TV deal. They didn’t splurge this offseason on free agents, but they did do some targeted trades. They knew what they needed and went out and filled holes.

Don Mattingly has been on the hot seat since the Dodgers hired him. He has dealt with lofty expectations and um, Yasiel Puig’s antics. Can he corral Puig’s shenanigans and keep him in line this season?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Dodgers.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels had a fantastic regular season in 2014. Mike Trout won league MVP and Albert Pujols bounced back from a below average 2013 season. The Angels postseason wasn’t as spectacular. They were swept in the ALDS by Kansas City.

As long as the Angels have Mike Trout, they will be a World Series contender. He does need help and their current roster is more than suitable for the job.

Pitching is a strong area for the Angels. Their rotation has established All-Stars and young talent that could eventually become top-of-the-rotation starters.

Josh Hamilton is expected to miss some time this season due to a drug relapse. How many games will he miss?

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Los Angels Angels.

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2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 40 Second Baseman

Second base was one of the thinnest positions last year, but due players like Anthony Rendon and Brian Dozier, it’s now extremely deep. There is a group of young second baseman in MLB that have surpassed guys like Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips. The position should be deep for quite some time.

How will Javier Baez and Rougned Odor fare in their first full seasons in the Majors?

My 2nd base fantasy baseball rankings are based on a standard 5×5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me BobbyMcrib@gmail.com.

1. Robinson Cano – Seattle Mariners – Cano has been the consensus #1 second baseman for quite some time. He proved last season that getting a fat paycheck didn’t affect his on-the-field performance. He’s good for .300+ with double-digit power and the ability to drive in 90 runs.

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Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 35

I’m a self-confessed vintage toy nerd. I collect vintage wrestling action figures from the 80’s & 90’s. I started purchasing some vintage toys out of nostalgia. Well, WWE and Mattel sucked me into their new stuff. I now buy a few figures a month.

Elite Series 31, Elite Series 33 & Elite Series 34 were all home runs (Elite Series 32…not so much). Even though Elite Series 34 hasn’t officially been released, Mattel released finished product photos of Elite Series 35. It looks like a solid set.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 35 are Earthquake (Flashback), Randy Orton, Triple H, Luke Harper and Los Matadores (Diego & Fernando).

Here are some pictures and a review of which accessories each figure will come with.

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2015 MLB Team Preview: Kansas City Royals

Kansas City defied all odds and represented the American League in the 2014 World Series. They gave San Francisco quite a battle. The Giants needed seven games to win their third ring in five years.

Kansas City are coming off back-to-back winning seasons. They are trending in the right direction. They aren’t a prime free agent destination, but did manage to lure a few former All-Stars to the team in the offseason.

The Royals core group of players are still quite young. It seems they are older than what they are since we’ve been talking about them from the time Kansas City drafted them. They have relied heavily on their farm system.

Here is the 2015 MLB season preview for the Kansas City Royals.

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