2017 MLB Draft: All-Name Team

In case you missed it, the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft took place this week…all 40 rounds!

Minnesota started the draft off by shocking many by drafting high school shortstop Royce Lewis with the first pick. They did it because Lewis said he would sign for way less than the slot amount of six or seven million dollars. The Twins were able to coax a few players late in the draft to forego college and sign.

We love making all-name team lists for upcoming seasons and drafts, so covering the MLB Draft is a no-brainer. There is some solid names on this year’s list.

My name is Bobby Roberts, so I am often jealous of people with unique names. The most unique thing about my name is that I was not born ‘Robert Roberts’, Bobby is my given name. I don’t know too many grown men named Bobby.

Continue reading →

A Newbie’s Guide On How To Learn More About The NFL

SuperBowl LI, the showpiece of 2017, was watched by over 100 million Americans as well as millions more from around the globe. However, it’s fair to say that only a small percentage are genuine hardcore NFL fans. At least before February’s event.

An incredible turnaround from the Patriots grabbed the attention of many casual fans. Now they are looking to take a far greater interest in this incredible sport. The regular season doesn’t start for another few months, but there are many ways to increase your knowledge before it does.

The NFL draft has already taken place. So as well as getting to know the best picks and who they will play, you should learn about the overlooked players. Those college stars will be the NFL heroes of tomorrow. Frankly, watching those college games on TV or at the stadium is a great way to learn more about the game. A slightly slower pace can certainly aid with digesting some of the finer rules.
Continue reading →

You Should Only Try Water Sports If…

Lots of people enjoy spending their time in the water and keeping fit. There are many different kinds of water sports you could try if you’ve never attempted them before. However, you’re only going to have a good time if you make some of the considerations mentioned on this page. The same goes for people who want to take their kids along for the experience. Your children aren’t going to enjoy themselves if you don’t take some of this advice. So, use your head, ensure you’re ready, and have fun! If you don’t meet the criteria mentioned below, you just need to make some changes until you do. You should only try water sports if…

You are a confident swimmer

There aren’t many sports you can try in shallow water. For that reason, you must ensure you can swim to a reasonable standard. Failure to do that could mean you struggle to relax and enjoy yourself. The last thing you want is for someone to have to jump in and save you. That would cause lots of embarrassment if nothing else. Still, there is no need to worry. You just need to visit a pool in your local town and get some practice. There are lots of companies that provide swimming lessons for adults. So, you won’t have to worry about getting in the pool with lots of kids wearing armbands.

Continue reading →

Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE NXT Series 1

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. You can view photos of my collection on my Instagram account.

The NXT lineup was announced either at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con or Ringside Fest (I can’t quite remember). Collectors have been anxiously waiting.

When it comes to store exclusives from Mattel, they just all of the sudden appear there without any announcement. That happened with the NXT series at Target, with both elites and basic figures.

Continue reading →

How to Organize a Surf Event

Are you planning on organizing a surfing event? Surfing competitions can be great fun for all involved. However, they also involve a lot of planning, as there are many different aspects that come together to create a great event. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow in order to organize a surf event.

PLANNING

You should begin the initial stages of planning the event at least four months before you intend to host the surfing competition. This stage should involve meetings with all relevant parties so that you can establish some key details, including:

Continue reading →

Activities to Satisfy Your Inner Adrenaline Junkie

Adrenaline junkies. We all know at least one. An adrenaline junkie is someone who revels in the adrenaline rush that comes hand in hand with the release of adrenaline into their bloodstream. Adrenaline is released when you’re in some form of danger and is supposed to activate your fight or flight instinct, encouraging blood to pump around your body faster, your breathing speeds up, and endorphins are released en mass, stimulating the pleasure centers in your pituitary gland. If this sounds good to you, perhaps it’s time to start succumbing to your inner adrenaline junkie. Here are a few activities to get you started off.

Skydiving

Skydiving is one of the first activities that will spring to your mind when people talk about achieving an intense adrenaline rush. After all, there aren’t many more daring actions than voluntarily jumping from a plane. While nerves may run high as you take to the skies, people often say that they experience a state of euphoria and tranquility as they descend to the ground. So, consider conquering your fears. If you want an extra feel good addition, try raising money to make the leap. You can then donate this to a good cause.

Continue reading →

Sweetbob’s Hipster Music Playlist: June 2017

There was so much awesome music released in the last few weeks. I had a heard time cutting down the list to 20, so you’re getting 25 tracks this month.

I just had so many good tracks that didn’t make the cut the last two months, on top of some sweet stuff released lately. I almost included 30 songs, but felt that was a little too much.

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. Keep sending me tracks via email or Twitter.

Make sure to go over to our Spotify playlist where we add every track each month. There’s something for everyone there.

Continue reading →

6 Things That Anyone Who Has Ever Tried Surfing Knows To Be True

Surfing. It seems like such a good idea; man conquering the ocean, showing off a toned physique as you curve along the crest of a wave… it’s the ideal isn’t it? There’s a whole lifestyle that goes along with it, too. The idea of being relaxed, chilled, unbothered by the everyday mundanities – it’s inherently attractive.

So summer rolls around and you decide it’s time to give it a go.

Then the realities begin to sink in.

#1 – It Starts With Such Confidence

The irritating thing about surfers is that they make it look so easy. You can thus convince yourself that it is that easy; a few lessons and you’ll be surfing along as if you were born to do it. This is the beginning of your new life. From hereon out, you will be transformed. You will spend your time posting GoPro images onto YouTube.com, spending your time looking for gear on FinBin.net in between trips to the beach. It’s going to be great.

Continue reading →

‘America’s White Boy’ 2017 NBA Mock Draft

Just like we did for the NFL Draft, we are here to release our 2017 NBA Mock Draft.

A lot can change before June 22nd. Many expect the Celtics and Lakers to get plenty of calls until then. The biggest possible trade that could happen could be the Pacers trading Paul George to the Celtics for a large package of prospects and the #1 overall pick. Will it happen? I’d say there’s only about a 20% chance right now.

Here is the ‘America’s White Boy’ 2017 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Boston Celtics – Markelle Fultz – PG – Washington Huskies – Fultz is the consensus best player in the draft. Even though Washington was a bad team last year, it should bring up too many red flags. In baseball, they call a prospect that can do everything a ‘five-tool player’…and Fultz is the equivalent in basketball. He has hops, he can shoot, he is very good defensively and has the size for his position. It will be interesting to see how he will play with Isaiah Thomas, but it can be done. This pick is very desirable, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Boston gets a mother lode for it if they trade it.

Continue reading →

Toy Crazy: Mattel’s WWE Elite Series 51

The lineup in Elite 51 is above average. Any set after Elite 50 was going to be a little underwhelming. That set was fabulous.

The WWE Superstars included in Elite 51 are A.J. Styles, Mankind, Scott Hall, Roman Reigns, Berzerker and Sami Zayn.

Continue reading →

Toy Crazy: Summer 2017 WWE Funko Releases

We covered some upcoming Funko releases back in April. Those figures are already in my collection and look fantastic.

We have reviewed a lot of Mattel’s WWE Elite figures, but Funko has also released some pretty solid figures in the past. I’m a big collector and you can see some of my collection on my Instagram, @vintagetoybob.

I’ve plugged another site in my previous Mattel posts, but if you’re looking to order Funko figures, I’d trust intheringcollectibles.com. I’ve bought a ton of stuff from them and they always pack shipments very well. You can use code ‘paulyp‘ for a discount.

Here are some pictures of Funko’s Summer 2017 WWE POP! vinyl releases.

Continue reading →

Spectator to Participant: How to Make this Sporting Transition

Are you tired of being lazy, sitting on your sofa watching sports? Well, maybe it’s time you stopped being a passive spectator and became an active participant. Making that transition is not even as hard as you might imagine it to be. Anyone can do it once they put their mind to it and take the right steps. But what are those steps? Read on to find out.

Don’t Take the Know it All Attitude

This is one mistake that people often make when they are picking up a sport for the first time. Just because you have watched lots of other people play sport on TV, that doesn’t mean you really understand anything about playing the sport yourself. Those are two entirely separate things, and you need to remember that. If you adopt a know it all kind of attitude, you will just end up looking stupid and alienating those around you.

Continue reading →