All of these are Raheel approved!

5 Essential Gifts for the Modern Man

5 Essential Gifts for the Modern Man
Courtesy photo.


With the holiday season close to wrapping up (pun intended!), I wanted to help out our readers that are struggling to find gifts for the modern man. These are all tested and approved by me and I highly recommend them for the man or buddy in your life. I'm going to assume the reader is either A. a women or B. a guy looking for a gift for a buddy. Here we go:

Lululemon ABC Jogger Pants, $128 

ABC Joggers

Lululemon.com

If I could, I would wear my ABC Joggers every single day instead of every other day like I normally do. These pants are the perfect fit for the office or traveling. While a bit pricey at $128, just think about this as a gift that will never stop giving and will be used almost every week. Lululemon also makes an office pant in the ABC line so that's great for somebody that needs more business casual pants.

Onnit Kettlebell 6 Online Workout, $49.95

Kettlebell 6

Onnit.com

The best thing I did this year was taking the Onnit Kettlebell 6 online workout. All you need is a kettlebell and between 30-mins to an hour every day. The course is comprehensive six week schedule that accounts for every single day to help you become the best you. This makes for a great gift for somebody in your life or heck, even for you. After I finished my six weeks on the course, I added muscle and my body fat was down. I loved it because you can download the videos and complete workouts at the gym if need be. I also recommend this because it's great for beginners and advanced lifters.

LUSH Dirty Hair Cream, $17.95

Dirty Hair Cream

LUSH.com

Okay, I know you're probably thinking, "what the heck, Raheel?! Something from LUSH? That's where my wife shops!" Yes, LUSH. I've tried all sorts of pomades, gels, and creams, but this is by far the best one in terms of strong hold and not damaging your hair. I recommend this product to every guy I know because it's not harming your scalp with chemicals and other non-sense. Bonus: when you stop by a LUSH store, pickup some stuff for yourself! $17.95 for 3.5oz seems high, but this will last somebody an entire year or more.

Nike 3/4 Training Compression Pants, $32

3/4 Training Pants

Nike.com

I get destroyed by my co-workers about wearing compression pants to the gym, but with the new year approaching and fitness goals being top of everyone's list, you have to get compression pants for the man in your life. Your muscles will stay warm and feel great during any type of workout for 2019. You can also get some money back for buying these on Nike.com by using eBates where they usually offer a percentage back on your purchase.

LED TV Backlight, $11.88

LED TV Backlight

Amazon.com

More people ask me about my backlit TV than anything in my house. I found this little bad boy on Amazon for under $10 earlier this year and programmed it to burnt orange for Texas Football games. This makes for a great stocking stuffer or White Elephant gift for a holiday party as well. The setup is simple and all you have to do is plug it in to a USB port on your TV or outlet to power it up.

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The Kyle Tucker trade is looking better by the day. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros are finally starting to show signs of turning the corner. After a sluggish start to the season, the offense is beginning to click, the pitching staff remains dominant, and the impact of the Kyle Tucker trade is starting to look like a clear win.

One of the more encouraging developments has been the recent plate discipline from Christian Walker. Known for his power but also for chasing pitches out of the zone, Walker has now drawn multiple walks in four straight games. It's a sign that his approach is tightening up—and he's recovered from his oblique discomfort, starting every game this season.

Yainer Diaz has also provided a much-needed spark. After a quiet stretch at the plate, Diaz came alive with a grand slam against the Angels, his most impactful swing of the year and a potential sign that his bat is heating up.

But the biggest buzz in Houston may be around the players acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade. Cam Smith has looked like he belongs in the big leagues, holding his own at the plate and flashing confidence in the field. Isaac Paredes, meanwhile, has posted a higher OPS than Alex Bregman, while right-hander Hayden Wesneski turned heads by striking out 10 Angels in a dominant start. Early returns suggest the deal could pay off big for the Astros.

Statistically, the Astros offense is still a work in progress, but it's no longer at the bottom of the barrel. After sitting dead last in slugging and near the bottom in OPS last week, Houston has climbed to 23rd in team OPS—right in the mix with the Rangers and Mariners. Slugging percentage still lags behind (27th overall), but there's some movement in the right direction.

Houston has scored the 21st-most runs in the league—better than only the Rangers in the AL West. Yet thanks to strong pitching, the Astros sit at +2 in run differential, the only team in the division with a positive mark.

That pitching has been the backbone of the team so far. Houston ranks 13th in ERA at 3.69, is third in opponent batting average (.190), and leads all of Major League Baseball in strikeouts with 166. It’s a staff that keeps them in every game and has the potential to dominate when the offense catches up.

The early season numbers still reflect a team trying to find its footing, but the signs are there. If the recent progress continues—Walker’s improved discipline, Diaz’s power, and the emergence of new contributors—Houston could soon be back to the top of the AL West.

We have so much more to cover. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!

ChatGPT assisted.

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