BETTER MADE SNACK FOODS

The Detroit Tigers have been on fire the last month with one of the best winning percentages in Major League baseball for the months of June and July so I thought this was a great time to break out some Better Made RED HOT! BARBEQUE potato chips to snack on while watching some of their games. Thanks to Better Made Snack Foods for sending a sample box my way filled with these chips as well as a bunch of other stuff to try out from this Detroit-based business lineup of products.

Generations of Detroit area families have enjoyed snacks from Better Made. They have been making snack foods in Michigan since 1930. I grew up eating Better Made potato chips and over the years they've expended their snack food offerings to include popcorn, pretzels, and tortilla chips too. So, while many people associate their vintage Miss Better Made logo with potato chips, the brand has a whole lot more to offer. My kids love Better Made Snack Foods popcorn for example ... Better Made Old Fashioned Movie Theater Gourmet Popcorn is my family's go to snack for our family movie nights!

Better Made Snack Foods popcorn styles include Detroit Mix (Caramel & Cheese), Red Hot Cheese, White Cheddar, and Movie Theater Gourmet. Better Made is most known for their potato chips which are available in a wide variety of textures and flavors including krinkle cut, wavy, honey bbq and salt & vinegar to name a few. They even have pork rinds and cracklins for those looking for a zero-carb snack!

Don't live in Metro Detroit where Better Made Snack Foods are easily available at local grocery stores? You're not out of luck! You can order Better Made Snack Foods on Amazon.com! 

Better Made has a variety pack that includes both its potato chip and popcorn flavors available through Amazon. They also have a 50 count potato chip cases you can buy in a variety format or choose your own flavors. You can even buy Better Make pork rinds products from Amazon!

Better Made Snack Foods has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval because generations of Detroiters have been delighted by the brand and my family wants to support local brands like Better Made, Faygo and Sanders that have remained connected to the local community through good and bad times. Plus, their snacks are tasty! If you haven't had Better Made snacks, give them a bite and you'll be hooked.

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TIGERS COME FROM BEHIND W IN ANAHEIM

The Detroit Tigers secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against the Los Angeles Angels in the teams July 17 matchup. Down to their final out in the ninth inning, Hao-Yu Lee blasted a clutch two-run double to put the Tigers ahead on the scoreboard. 

How Detroit Stole One in Anaheim: 

Tigers Win in the 9th! Whew, did anyone else's heart almost stop last night? If you stayed up late to watch the Tigers kick off the second half of the season against the Angels at Angel Stadium, you were treated to a masterclass in never giving up.

Pitching Kept Tigers Alive:

First of all, shoutout to Troy Melton. The 25-year-old righty was pitching right in his own backyard, and he absolutely brought it. He grinded through 5.2 innings, allowed just one run, and racked up an impressive 9 strikeouts. He got into a little bit of trouble with walks early, but he settled down like an absolute pro.

But the real MVP of the night might just be Keider Montero. When he came in, our bullpen absolutely locked it down. Montero went 3.1 innings and gave up just one hit while striking out five! When the Angels threatened in the bottom of the ninth, he stayed cool as ice to secure the final out.

Ninth-Inning Magic:

Let's talk about the drama in the top of the ninth. Things looked bleak. Tigers were down 1-0 and down to their final out against Angels reliever Kirby Yates. But this team just doesn't quit.

After some gritty baserunning, Detroit had guys on the bases. Then, Hao-Yu Lee stepped up to the plate and delivered the absolute dagger! He lined a two-out, two-run double into right-center field. Seeing Riley Greene and James Outman come crossing home plate to take the 2-1 lead was a shot of pure adrenaline.

Defensive Jewels:

The Tigers couldn't have pulled this off without some serious leather work in the bottom of the frame. With two runners on, third baseman Kevin McGonigle made an unbelievable, leaping grab on a high chopper and fired a rocket to first! That play saved the game and gave Montero the breathing room to shut the door on an Angels comeback. 

A win like this—scrappy, pitching-heavy, and decided by late-inning heroics—is exactly the kind of momentum the team needs heading into the rest of this grueling 13-games-in-13-days stretch of their schedule. Having stumbled through a disastrous May, the remainder of the month of July really is a make it or break time if the team has hopes for a postseason appearance.

DESERT HEIST BY ALEX DEKKER

Desert Heist by Alex Dekker is a masterfully executed debut for the writer that perfectly bridges the gap between historical mystery and gritty military realism. Published by Emily Bestler Books, this high-octane thriller introduces readers to Nate Wilde, a former Green Beret turned Harvard archaeology student who trades academic red tape for an unsanctioned, high-stakes tactical expedition into the Middle East.

The Plot: "Indiana Jones" Meets "Jack Reacher"

The story follows Nate Wilde as he becomes obsessed with finding the legendary lost city of Ubar—the so-called "Atlantis of the Sands". When political bureaucracy stalls his official dig, Wilde takes matters into his own hands. He assembles a team of his former Special Forces brothers to infiltrate the dangerous, unforgiving terrain of the Saudi Arabian "Empty Quarter" via war-torn Yemen. What begins as a quest for historical truth quickly devolves into a desperate race for survival as the team is hunted by terrorists, shadowy corporate entities, and local authorities.

Authenticity Drawn From Real-World Experience

What elevates Desert Heist above standard thriller fare is the undeniable authenticity injected into every page. As a retired Green Beret with nearly twenty years of Special Forces service, Dekker knows the territory, the language, and the tactics intimately. The weapon handling, squad banter, and operational planning feel raw and incredibly real. Instead of the cliché "lone wolf" operator trope, Dekker shines a light on the psychological strength and organic chemistry of a tight-knit Special Forces unit.

The "Operator-Scholar" Dynamic

The core strength of the novel lies in the distinct juxtaposition of its protagonist. Nate Wilde is just as comfortable decoding ancient historical texts as he is clearing a room with an assault rifle. This blend of intellectual curiosity and lethality makes him a captivating lead. The pacing transitions seamlessly from a slow-burn academic mystery into an explosive, heart-pounding tactical survival story.

The Verdict: Desert Heist Makes Great Summer Read 

While the plot occasionally flirts with traditional action tropes and a slightly formulaic villain, its  historical details and blistering pacing completely overshadow minor critiques. It delivers the exact type of action adventure that fans of Jack Carr, Brad Thor, and Vince Flynn crave. Desert Heist cements Alex Dekker as a major new voice in military adventure fiction and earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval for its modern day take on the exotic escapades of an adventurous archeologist. 

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LEGO PARTY VIDEO GAME GIVEAWAY

There ain't no party like a LEGO Party! It is a big birthday party this Fourth of July with the USA celebrating its sestercentennial anniversary of the founding of the country. To join in the festivities, this Geek Daddy has a Nintendo Switch download code for the LEGO Party! video game to give away! Party like its 1776 LEGO Party style!

Complete the Gleam entry form below during the Fourth of July holiday weekend for a chance to win a free video game courtesy of ageekdaddy.com! Must be a United States resident over 18 years old of age to participate in this promotion. Good luck!

LEGO PARTY FOR NINTENDO SWITCH

LEGO Party! is a 4-player, board game-style multiplayer video game similar to Mario Party. Players travel around LEGO-themed virtual boards, collect studs, and compete in 60 hilarious minigames to earn the most Golden Bricks. It supports full cross-platform online multiplayer so you can play against friends and family who may be on different gaming systems.

TIGERS SWEEP YANKEES FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2008

The Detroit Tigers defeated the New York Yankees 6-2 TODAY completing a three-game series sweep at Yankee Stadium.

Tigers Extra-Inning Explosion Secures Historic Sweep in New York

What did we just witness, Tigers faithful?! Grab your Vernors and your Coney dogs, because the Detroit Tigers just did something they have never done before in the history of the new Yankee Stadium: they completed a three-game series sweep against the Bronx Bombers on their own turf!

The last time our boys swept the Yankees in New York was back in 2008 at the old stadium. This afternoon though on a brutally hot, 95-degree afternoon, Detroit fought through a 9th-inning heartbreak, stood tall in extra innings, and left New York with a thrilling 6-2 victory in 11 innings.

Here is how a chaotic, beautiful, and gritty Wednesday afternoon unfolded:

The Dynamic Duo: Melton and McGonigle

For most of the game, this was a masterful pitching duel. Starting pitcher Troy Melton was absolutely dealing on the mound. Following dominant performances earlier in the week by Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, Melton kept the pinstripe bats completely frozen.

Meanwhile, rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle provided the early spark. In the top of the 3rd, he crushed a Will Warren curveball 422 feet into the right-center field bleachers for a solo shot to put Detroit up 1-0. By the 6th, Riley Greene tacked on a sacrifice fly to drive in Dillon Dingler, moving the score to a seemingly comfortable 2-0.

The 9th Inning Heart Attack

Being a Detroit sports fan means never having it easy. Two outs away from securing the shutout victory in regulation, the bullpen imploded. Reliever Drew Anderson served up a solo home run to Amed Rosario to cut the lead to 2-1. Shortly after, a disastrous wild pitch allowed Jazz Chisholm Jr. to slide home, tying the game 2-2 and sending us into the nerve-wracking depths of extra innings.

Keider Montero: The 10th Inning Savior

The hero who kept our sweep hopes alive wasn't a batter—it was Keider Montero. Shuffled out of a crowded rotation into a relief role, Montero entered a high-stakes nightmare in the bottom of the 10th. With the winning run standing 90 feet away on third base, Montero went ice-cold. He struck out Oswaldo Cabrera and then dialed up a 97.2 mph fastball to strike out Ali Sánchez, blowing the roof off the Tigers dugout and keeping the game alive.

The 11th Inning Avalanche

In the top of the 11th, the floodgates didn't just open; they collapsed on the Yankees. New York reliever Camilo Doval completely lost the strike zone, walking three consecutive batters—including a bases-loaded pass to Spencer Torkelson that forced Kevin McGonigle home to take a 3-2 lead.

Then came Zach McKinstry with the dagger. McKinstry laced a sharp single to right field. Yankees catcher Ali Sánchez attempted a throw to second base to catch McKinstry, but threw the ball wildly straight into center field. It turned into a total defensive circus as Riley Greene, Hao-Yu Lee, and Spencer Torkelson all crossed home plate to secure a four-run explosion!

Montero trotted back out for the bottom of the 11th and slammed the door shut, extending the Yankees' miserable losing streak to seven games.

Let's keep this momentum rolling! What was your favorite moment from this historic Bronx sweep? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Go Tigers!

USA FACES OFF AGAINST BOSNIA IN WORLD CUP

The United States Men’s National Soccer Team faces Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1 in the World Cup Round of 32, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM ET from Santa Clara, California. One team will advance and the other will be knocked out of the international soccer tournament which showcases the best players from around the globe playing for national pride. Team USA is made up of a group of gritty underdogs looking to make a historic World Cup run for the country which would be especially special with the United States hosting the tournament while celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary.

If you are a Detroit sports fan, you know exactly what this feels like. We spent years watching the Lions build grit, watching Dan Campbell talk about biting kneecaps, and watching the Red Wings reconstruct a roster from the ground up. This USMNT squad under Mauricio Pochettino is giving off those exact same blueprint vibes. They cruised through Group D by taking care of business against Paraguay and Australia. Even that 3-2 group-stage finale loss to Turkey didn’t hurt because Pochettino rested the big dogs. Now, it is win-or-go-home time—the kind of single-elimination pressure Detroiters live for.

Here is how the matchup breaks down through a classic, grit-loving Detroit sports lens:

The Blueprint: How the U.S. Wins

The USMNT is entering this game as a heavy favorite, but as any Tigers or Lions fan will tell you, a "favorite" tag does not mean a thing if you don’t bring the work ethic. Bosnia is going to play exactly like a division rival coming into Ford Field. They are going to sit back in a mid-to-low defensive block, clog up the middle, and try to make the game as ugly, physical, and frustrating as possible.

For the U.S. to break them down, it comes down to three things:

• The Captain is Back: Christian Pulisic is officially locked into the starting lineup after managing a calf injury during group play. He is the Amon-Ra St. Brown of this team—reliable, clinical, and the guy who moves the chains when everything else stalls.
• Poch’s Heavy Metal Press: Coach Pochettino’s high press is built to punish teams that try to sit deep and launch desperate long balls. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie need to play like elite defensive line anchors, blowing up Bosnia’s counter-attacks before they ever cross the midfield stripe.
• Speed Out Wide: Bosnia’s central defenders are solid but notoriously slow. Folarin Balogun has the elite pace to stretch their backline. If the U.S. can transition quickly and feed Balogun in the half-spaces, they will blow this game wide open.

The Trap: What to Watch Out For

Bosnia is not going to beat the U.S. in a track meet, but they are incredibly dangerous on set pieces. They boast serious height and a physical forward presence in veteran Edin Dzeko. If the U.S. gives away cheap fouls around the box, it is the soccer equivalent of letting an opponent bleed the clock out with short, bruising run plays. The defensive pairing of Chris Richards and veteran Tim Ream must remain disciplined, secure the aerial duels, and avoid the chaotic defensive lapses that bit them against Turkey.

Final Prediction

This isn't the old USMNT that plays down to its competition and folds under international pressure. This team has too much homegrown grit and a manager who expects nothing less than a clinical performance. Bosnia will hold tough for the first 30 minutes, but the Americans' sheer athletic advantage in the midfield will eventually break the lock. Expect Pulisic to orchestrate an early breakthrough, forcing Bosnia to abandon their defensive shell and opening up the floodgates for goals by the USA.

Final Score Prediction: USA 3, Bosnia 0. The U.S. marches on to the Round of 16 in Seattle.

TIGERS DOMINATE ASTROS

The Detroit Tigers absolutely dismantled the Houston Astros 8-0 on Friday night at Comerica Park, snapping a frustrating three-game losing streak with an explosive, home-run-fueled performance. After dropping a tough 2-1 pitching duel the night before, the Motor City bats didn't just wake up—they completely took over the game, providing more than enough support for an absolute gem of a game. Here is how the Gritty Tigs shutout Houston for a great Detroit win:

Montero Deals with a Heavy Heart

Right-hander Keider Montero delivered arguably his best performance of the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Pitching with a heavy heart due to the recent devastating earthquakes in his native Venezuela, Montero locked in and absolutely blanked the Astros' high-powered offense across 7.0 masterful innings.

The 3rd and 4th Inning Fireworks

Detroit entered the game having scored only six combined runs over their previous three losses. They completely obliterated that slump by scoring all 8 of their runs in a chaotic, two-inning span against Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti.

• The Icebreaker (3rd Inning): James Outman scored on a Yainer Diaz throwing error during a double-steal attempt.
• The Carp Bomb (3rd Inning): Kerry Carpenter crushed a majestic 412-foot, two-run blast to right field to extend the lead to 3-0.
• The Avalanche (4th Inning): Colt Keith got the party restarted with a solo shot to right.
• The Knockout Blow (4th Inning): After a walk and a single, Outman hammered a three-run missile into the right-field seats, capping off a 5-run frame and chasing Arrighetti from the game. Dillon Dingler added an RBI single just for good measure.

What's Next?

With the weekend series officially tied up at 1-1, the Tigers have a prime opportunity to secure a big series victory at home. Left-hander Framber Valdez (5-4, 3.91 ERA) will take the mound for Detroit on Saturday looking to keep the good vibes rolling against Houston's Kai-Wei Teng (4-6).