Baseball

Jake Paul Buys $15.7M Mansion In Puerto Rico

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Jake Paul initially moved to Puerto Rico in 2021. Moving alongside his brother Logan, the brothers claimed that they had moved to the island to train without distractions. Their mansion, purchased for $13.5 million, sits in a gated community on the Ritz Carlton Reserve. Puerto Rico sits 1150km southeast of Florida.

It’s set to be a big year for the younger Paul brother. Jake is scheduled to fight former UFC fighter Nate Diaz in August. The boxing match not only represents a major payday for Paul, but also represents a major opportunity for Paul to prove his mettle against an established fighter. However, the fight may hinge on Diaz’s ongoing legal troubles. Diaz choked a man out during an altercation in New Orleans last month. Despite this, away from the ring, Paul is making some big purchases.

Jake Paul Buys Yadier Molina Mega-Mansion

Yadier Molina at the 2023 World Baseball Classic
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 15: Manager Yadier Molina #4 of Team Puerto Rico makes a visit to the mound during Game 10 of Pool D between Team Puerto Rico and Team Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Yadier Molina is a Puerto Rican. Spending his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Molina was a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. Furthermore, he earned two silver medals at the World Baseball Classic while representing Puerto Rico. The star catcher, who retired in 2022, is almost guaranteed to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible in 2027. Now he’s selling his house to Jake Paul.

According to The Caribbean Reality Group, Paul has purchased the mega-mansion for $15.75 million. The property was originally listed for $19.95 million, but Molina and Paul reportedly worked out a deal to lower the price. The reason for Molina was not given. The 12,000-square-foot property comes with eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, two half-bathrooms, a fitness center, and a luxury pool. Furthermore, it features an elevator, a wet bar, a dry bar, a 6-car garage. What do you think of Jake Paul’s new home? Let us know in the comments. Get all the latest celebrity and sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Mookie Betts Rents Airbnb To Avoid Haunted Hotel

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Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee was built in 1893 and is reportedly one of the most haunted hotels in America. One common sighting is an elderly Victorian gentleman believed to be the hotel’s founder, Charles Pfister. The Pfister is located just a few blocks away from Lake Michigan.

However, the hotel is also a common choice for MLB teams in town to play the Brewers. In 2001, then-Dodger Adrian Beltre reportedly a loud banging on the wall behind his headboard, despite his room not adjoining any others. He reportedly slept for just two hours with a bat tucked up beside him. Furthermore, in 2008, then-Twin Carlos Gomez said his iPod began vibrating so hard it fell off his bedside table.

Betts Wants No Part Of The Pfister

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 09: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at American Family Field on May 09, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The Dodgers completed a three-game road series against the Brewers, going 2-1 against the Milwaukee team. As part of that trip, the Dodgers opted to stay at the Pfister. All but one Dodger that is. Starting right-fielder Mookie Betts opted to stay at an Airbnb with some friends. Now, that might seem like a perfectly reasonable thing to do when your travel intersects with that of some friends. However, Betts made it clear that the reputation of The Pfister definitely contributed to his decision. “It was a good excuse,” Betts told the Orange County Register. “You can tell me what happened after. I just don’t want to find out myself.”

Despite this, Betts ghost avoidance isn’t over for the season just yet. The Dodgers are set to stay at the Vinoy Renaissance in St Petersburg, Florida when they travel to play the Rays in late May. The Renaissance is yet another haunted hotel said to be home to trickster spirits. Many guests, including a former Pirates strength and conditioning coach, have seen a well-dressed man in their rooms. This is believed to be the hotel’s founder, Aymer Vinoy Laughner. The wife of a Toronto Blue Jays player also reported seeing the water turn on and off on its own while staying in the hotel’s Old Wing. It remains to be seen if Betts will find alternate accommodation for that road series too.

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Bo Jackson Tries Weird Cure For Hiccups

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Bo Jackson is a sport legend. The College Football Hall of Famer was the number one pick in the 1986 NFL draft. He enjoyed three fantastic seasons in the NFL before his career was cut short by injury. However, he also played eight seasons of Major League Baseball, joining the Kansas City royals in 1986. Yes, if you didn’t already know who he was, Jackson played two pro sports concurrently.

However, Jackson has reportedly been suffering from the hiccups for a full year now. Anyone whose had the hiccups for more than an hour knows just how bad they can get. Furthermore, prolonged hiccuping can cause damage to your body. But some of the things Bo has tried to cure his hiccups are just downright weird.

Bo Jackson (May Have) Sniffed A Porcupine’s Butt

CHICAGO, IL – CIRCA 1991: Bo Jackson #8 of the Chicago White Sox looks on walking off the field during a Major League Baseball game circa 1991 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Jackson played for the White Sox in 1991 and 1993. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

“I’ve had the hiccups since last July,” Jackson said on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. “I’m getting a medical procedure done the end of this week, I think, to try to remedy it. I’m busy at the hospital sitting up with the doctor’s poking me, shining lights down my throat, probing me every way they can to find out why I’ve got these hiccups.” According to Jackson, he’s tried all the traditional cures of hiccups. But nothing has worked.

However, while listing the cures he had tried, he very casually some absolute insanity. “I have done everything—scare me, drink water upside down, smell the ass of a porcupine, it doesn’t work.” That’s right, while talking about getting scared etc., Bo Jackson also said that he had sniffed the ass of a porcupine. Now, Jackson was probably speaking hyperbolically to indicate the great lengths he had gone to. Furthermore, HotNewHipHop could not find any evidence of smelling a porcupine’s butt as a cure for the hiccups. However, several websites do recommend smelling strong odors as a way to cure the hiccups. So who knows, maybe Jackson wasn’t speaking so figuratively as one may initially believe. What’s your go-to cure for the hiccups? Let us know in the comments below.

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2024 MLB Season To Start In South Korea

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Seven MLB seasons in the league’s 120-year history have begun outside the US and Canada. The first season to leave the home of the league’s 30 teams was 1999, when the season opener was played in Mexico. Five seasons have started in Tokyo, Japan, most recently in 2019. Finally, the 2014 season got underway in Sydney.

International games are becoming more and more common as the MLB attempts to replicate the success of the NFL in attracting a wider international audience. The MLB played games in London for the first time in 2019 and has returned several times after that. This year the Cubs and Cardinals will play in the British capital. What is unique about the MLB is that, unlike the NFL, there are premier baseball leagues located outside the United States. Now they will be heading to a brand new country next year.

Dodgers And Padres To Play In Korea

SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 1: Ha-Seong Kim #7 of the San Diego Padres hits a three-run home run in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds May 1, 2023 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

According to a source who spoke with ESPN, the MLB will play its first-ever games in South Korea in 2024. Korea is a major baseball nation and serves as home to the KBO League. Furthermore, there are currently five active Korean-born players on MLB teams. However, the MLB has never played games in South Korea. That is all set to change in 2024. NL West rivals Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will face off in a two-game series in Korea. The location of the games has not been announced but it is likely that Seoul will be the venue for the two games. Sources also told ESPN that the games would be played early enough in the year to minimize the disruption for the Dodgers and Padres ahead of the rest of the season.

Of the two teams chosen, the Padres currently have Korean player on their roster. Infielder Ha-seong Kim has played with the team since 2021. Prior to joining the Padres, Kim played for six seasons in the KBO. The last time that the Dodgers had a Korean player on the roster was in 2019. That was last of six seasons that pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu spent in Los Angeles. KBO players are able to join MLB teams through a process called posting. The posting system allows MLB teams to bid on Japanese and Korean players as free agents. Are you excited to see the MLB head to Korea?

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Oakland A’s Legend Vida Blue Dies

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Oakland Athletics legend Vida Blue has died at the age of 78. Blue, a left-handed pitcher who won both MVP and AL Cy Young awards in 1971, played in the MLB between 1969 and 1986. He spent nine years with the A’s before trading to the Giants. After six years with the Giants, he was traded to the Royals but only spent two years in Kansas City before being released. He returned to the Giants for another two seasons before signing a contract with the A’s to retire in Oakland.

“There are few players with a more decorated career than Vida Blue,” the Athletics said in a statement Sunday. “Vida will always be a franchise legend and a friend.” “Vida Blue has been a Bay Area baseball icon for over 50 years,” Giants president Larry Baer said in a statement. “His impact on the Bay Area transcends his 17 years on the diamond with the influence he’s had on our community.”

Vida Blue Defined 70s Baseball

OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 17, 1974: Picher Vida Blue #14 of the Oakland Athletics pitches to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1974 World Series at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 17, 1974 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

Vida Blue was one of the biggest reasons people watched baseball in the 1970s. He was a young, outspoken pitcher who would pick up the legacy of 60s icons like Bob Gibson. After pitching in just 18 games across 1969 and 1970, he broke out in 1971. He posted a fantastic 1.82 ERA across 39 games while also recording 24 complete games. Blue would be part of the A’s squad that won three consecutive World Series between 1972 and 1974. While he played sparingly in 1972, he heavily contributed to their successes in 1973 and 1974. However, Blue’s time in Oakland would come to an end when he was traded to the Giants in 1978. He continued to play well in San Francisco, being named an all-star in three of his six years with the team.

However, his production began to decline in the 1980s and he was eventually traded to the Royals. Blue lasted just two years in Kansas City, being released in 1983. Later that year, Blue was one of four former Royals to plead to drug charges. Blue spent three months in prison and was suspended for the 1984 season. Returning to baseball in 1985, he headed back to San Francisco. Despite being 35, he still started 48 games over the next two seasons. He officially retired in 1987 after signing a spring contract with the Athletics. He reportedly struggled with substance abuse later in life. However, he is a man who remains a baseball hero for many. Rest in peace, Vida Blue.

Rihanna’s Latest Maternity Look Shows Big Love To The New York Yankees: Photos

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If there’s anyone who’s certainly never going to miss with their New York street style, it’s Rihanna. Hot off of making waves at yet another Met Gala, the expecting mother has been spotted all over New York City lately, mostly dressed in her very best to go grab dinner with a friend, or her beau, A$AP Rocky. On Thursday (May 4) evening, paparazzi cameras caught her heading out to eat with childhood pal Melissa Forde, Rih’s outfit making it abundantly clear which baseball team you’ll catch her cheering for this season.

Rather than put her baby bump on display, as she often has as of late, the 35-year-old kept it hidden under an oversized, white New York Yankees bomber jacket with the team’s logo boldly written across the front in red. The lower half of the garment came complete with black spray paint, which also appeared on the Barbadian’s matching mini skirt. For accessories, Rihanna added a bright, white handbag. Her slouchy booties also came in the same colour, working perfectly with the rest of her look.

Rihanna’s Girls’ Night Out in NYC

As InStyle notes, the night before, the “Umbrella” songstress joined A$AP Rocky for dinner at a favourite of theirs, Carbone. She channelled The Matrix vibes, leaving a long leather coat mostly unzipped to show off her growing belly as the world eagerly awaits the arrival of Baby Fenty No. 2. Rih also work a tiny skirt for that date night, with thigh-high boots and her black hair pulled into an elegant updo.

Of course, there were also her and A$AP’s 2023 Met Gala looks, which have received mixed reviews. The billionaire transformed as she strolled down the red carpet, unveiling a beautiful, white, bridal-esque gown under her intricate floral details. As for the Testing rapper, he layered a kilt over bedazzled blue jeans, clearly paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld with his glove details, as well as the sharp suit covering his top half. Keep scrolling to see photos of Rihanna’s recent iconic outfits since her return to New York City. Afterward, tell us which one is your favourite in the comments.

More Recent Major Maternity Fashion Moments

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Everyone Hates TNT’s Drone Cam

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Sports broadcasting is always trying new things. Sometimes these things work, such as the NFL’s Skycam. Other times, it takes a while for things to catch on, such as Fox‘s Cletus the Football Robot. There has also been the revelation of spring football leagues, where new tech is often trialed. The USFL has previously introduced innovations like helmet cams.

Basketball is a difficult sport to film, given the much smaller court and the need for quick and frequent transitions. In the past, broadcasters such as ABC have utilized a high-angle, track-mounted cam to be able to follow the action. But in Game 2 of the Sixers-Celtics series, TNT debuted a quadcopter drone to fly over the game at various points. Safe to say, people do not like this.

TNT Drone Cam Is Not A Hit

The drone cam footage, which obviously can only do so much given it’s about 10 feet off the ground and can’t get too close to the action, is just kind of weird. It gives the game an uncanny valley, NBA 2K-esque look. It doesn’t feel like you’re actually watching a basketball game. Even worse, you don’t even get to play the fake video game you’re watching. Furthermore, the footage is not of the same quality as the HD TV broadcast, making it jarring to switch between the two. While it’s kind of neat to see drone technology like this, what’s it really adding to the experience?

The general consensus on social media was that everyone hates the drone. This is mostly because it doesn’t add anything to the experience, and also looks bad. One Twitter user posted a picture of Hitchbot with the comment “When they try that drone came in Philly”. Hitchbot was a hitchhiking robot that successfully hitchhiked coast-to-coast in Canada. They tried the same experiment in the US, and Hitchbot was brutally murdered as soon as he reached Philadelphia. Another user expressed their sympathy for the media team, who presumably had the drone cam forced upon them. Again, drone cam sounds fun in theory but in practice, is a superfluous novelty that doesn’t actually add anything to the viewing experience.

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Lil Wayne Visits The Houston Astros

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Lil Wayne has been very active in the sporting recently. Aside from the usual pictures of him at various NBA events, he has been making his presence known. He face-timed both the Cavinder Twins as well as LSU during the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament. He is even reportedly collabing with LSU freshman and rapper Flau’jae Johnson. Wayne is currently touring the US in his “Welcome To Tha Carter” tour. It began in Nashville and is set to end in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are off to a strong start in the 2023 MLB season. The defending champions, at the time of writing, are second in the AL West. They are 2.5 games back from the Texas Rangers, whose massive off-season spending is paying off for the team. The Astros are currently five games into a six-game homestand before taking to the road to face the Mariners, Angels, and White Sox. However, they recently struggled, winning just two of their last five games.

Lil Wayne Visits The Astros, Gets Custom Jersey

According to a post from the Astros, Lil Wayne paid a visit to the Houston dugout on May 2. Wayne was in Houston for a stop on this “Welcome To Tha Carter” Tour. The video, captioned “game recognizes game”, shows Wayne eagerly meeting players. He is also heard greeting infielder Alex Bregman with the moniker “Tiger”. This is likely a reference to Bregman’s collegiate career at LSU. Bregman was a standout player at LSU. However, he never appeared in the College World Series while with the Tigers. The Tigers would later finish runners-up in the 2017 College World Series.

However, things didn’t just end with a quick visit. Wayne took photos with members of the team. Furthermore, he was presented with a signed #27 jersey with the nameplate “Tunechi”. #27 is the current number of second baseman Jose Altuve, who has worn it since 2011. What’s amusing about this entire encounter is that back in 2008, Wayne revealed in an ESPN article that he was a Red Sox fan. Does still back the Sox? Or has he changed his allegiance to Houston? Follow HotNewHipHop for all the latest sports and music news.

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Fernando Tatis Jr. Dances To Wrigley Field Taunt: Video

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Fernando Tatis Jr. has quickly become one of the faces of the MLB. The San Diego Padres star is a cornerstone for the franchise. However, the San Diego star did run into an issue last season. Tatis missed all of last season due to suspension from the league’s PED regulations. As Tatis is continuing to get back into the swing of his former self on the field. Fans in visiting ballparks haven’t been too receptive to Tatis’ return to the game. Including the Cubs faithful at Wrigley Field.

On Tuesday night, fans at Wrigley showered Tatis in right field with plenty of insults. Including the chant of, “he’s on steroids.” Instead of becoming angry with the fans in Chicago, Tatis had a little fun with it. During the chant, Tatis was seen dancing to the beat of the insult. The actions by Tatis made the chant feel less fun for the fans in Chicago. However, both sides seemed to have a good time at the ballpark. Check out the clip of the viral moment below.

Fernando Tatis Jr. Has Fun With Cubs Fans

In the end, the Cubs got the last laugh. Chicago got the 5-0 victory over the Padres on Tuesday night. However, expectations are still high in San Diego. Along with Tatis, the Padres are filled with great talent. Including Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts defining the left side of the field. The franchise has a lot of money tied into those three players. So if the team doesn’t make a run at a World Series soon, decisions will have to be made.

When it comes to Tatis’ PED suspension, the Padres star still denies it. Tatis claims that he never intentionally took the performance-enhancing drug that came up positive on his test. However, Tatis has apologized for his actions and what his suspension did to the team. Tatis is well aware of what he brings to the team when at full health. So, do you think Fernando Tatis is handling vising crowds the right way? Let us know what you think in the comment section. For the latest MLB news, keep it right here with HNHH.

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Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Honors Late Grandmother

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitching Graham Ashcraft went to the mound with a heavy heart on Wednesday. Ashcraft lost his grandmother on Monday. However, to honor her, Ashcraft decided to pitch his scheduled start before leaving to be with his family. The ability to go out and deliver the best of your ability for your team in a moment like this is special. Ashcraft changed his walk-out song for today’s game for one of his grandmother’s favorites. The Reds pitcher said she would always listen to it while thinking of her grandson.

Ashcraft delivered for his team. Going six innings, giving up two runs in the process. When Ashcraft was pulled from the game, the Reds held a 3-2 series lead. So if that score holds, Ashcraft will be in line for the victory over the Texas Rangers. Upon leaving the game, Ashcraft became emotional when heading to the dugout. The Reds pitcher could be seen hugging teammates and coaches after his incredible performance. Check out some of the videos from the emotional moment below.

Cincinnati Reds Pitcher’s Emotional Moment

The Reds are currently riding a hot streak this week. A win today over the Rangers will complete a sweep for the team in the series. The last two victories were completed in a dramatic fashion. As the Reds worked late comeback victories on Monday and Tuesday. However, the Reds haven’t been the hottest team in MLB this season. The team currently sits at 9-15 with their overall record. However, the team has won eight of their nine at home. Which is where their current game is happening.

Ashcraft showed incredible bravery and toughness with his performance on Wednesday. However, Ashcraft claims that pitching today would be exactly what his grandmother would have wanted. It seems Ashcraft and his grandmother had a very close bond. Our thoughts are with the Ashcraft family at this time. As for the Cincinnati Reds, the team will not be back in action until Friday. The team will take on the Oakland Athletics in a weekend series. For the latest news in the MLB, keep it right here with HNHH.

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