Rachel Lewis and the Northwestern Wildcats

I have covered hundreds of college softball games. Northwestern's Rachel Lewis is one of the best and one of my favorite players I have seen in person.

A five-year letter winner for the Wildcats, Rachel started all 245 career games from 2018-22. Among her many honors and accolades, she was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2022, when she tied a Northwestern single-season record with 23 home runs while adding 62 RBIs. Her name is still in the Top Ten of many categories on Northwestern's leaderboard.

Rachel was a powerhouse. She hit towering homers. I am not sure if she cleared the left field building, but I know she hit it multiple times.

On top of all of that, she has always beena class act. She always gave me time to chat during her career. Eve now, when I see her at games, she always has a minute or two. It was a pleasure following and covering her career. Even more, it was great knowing her a bit.

It's people like Rachel who make it fun for me. I get to meet interesting folks and watch their careers and lives develop.

Go to NUSports.com for more info. Check back here for my coverage.

Rachel Lewis and me in Evanston, IL-May 2022.

 

Trainwrecker in the House!

Is there a better name for a ring announcer than POWW's Trainwrecker? It could also work well for an actual wrestler. If you see the man behind the moniker, you would think he is a wrestler.

Trainwrecker doesn't just live on a cool name. He is a great announcer. He starts every show telling the crowd they are here to entertain and the crowd is there to be entertained. All should leave their worries at the door and enjoy the action. He also warns all about the use of foul language (a nice touch for a sometimes rowdy crowd).

It is only starting there though. Trainwrecker takes his train whistle and leads a group of youngsters in a couple laps around the ring. No, I have not been tempted to join the train. I am content watching the kids enjoy themselves. For the rest of the night, Trainwrecker uses his booming voice to introduce each wrestler for their match. 

Last year, Trainwrecker had a very special introduction and announcement. He introduced Jenna Monroe, a POWW staffer. He proceeded to propose. She accepted and I saw my first legitimate wrestling marriage proposals. Usually such stuff is for storylines, but this was real. Congrats and best wishes to both.

Trainwrecker and me in Fox Lake, IL-March 2026.

Happy Birthday, Nancy!

 Today is my eldest sister Nancy''s birthday. She is celebrating on a cruise today, but I am saluting her from here.

As I have previously written numerous times, I am lucky to have two great sisters. They are truly my rocks. I love and appreciate them more than I could ever properly express and more than they will ever know.

Nancy and I had a special time last year at our niece's wedding in Cancun. Since our other sister was a bit busy as the mother of the bride, Nanc and I had extra time together (and with her hubby Dave).It was a rare opportunity for all of us to be together outside of our area. Always looking out for her little brother, Nancy could have wanted more alone time with her husband, but she didn't exclude me.

Last year Nanc went above and beyond. On a Friday afternoon, she drove about three hours to see a band with her daughter and me. She didn't even know of the band and the two unexpected opening acts were less than great. She was a real trooper. That's just one example of her kindness.

We jokingly call her the Matriarch and she takes it in fun. She knows we love her dearly.

We will celebrate birthdays when we are all in town together. For now, I wish he a fantastic birthday here. Happy birthday and I love you!

Nancy and me in Cancun, Mexico-November 2025.

Grammar Police: Literally

I am back with my Grammar Police series. This one is long overdue.

Somehow, "literally" has become one of the most overused words. Making it worse, it is usually used incorrectly. If this makes one person drop that word from daily speech, I will be happy (but I won't literally be the happiest person ever.

It's not just me. The brilliant Weird Al Yankovic included literally in his genius "Word Crimes" song. That song is great, but it's not literally gold.

Granted sometimes using figuratively instead of literally does not work. I doubt anyone would say "Word Crimes" is figuratively gold. That's okay. Omit it. Just don't keep using literally when it is not literally a fact.

As I don't just talk the talk, I encourage everyone to say Johngy's Beat is the best, but not literally the best  

Friend Encounters: Dawn Wells and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Once again, I feature my good pal Tony. Today he is with one of the seven stranded castaways from tv's Gilligan's Island.

Dawn Wells played Mary Ann, too often underrated in the shadow of Tina Louise's Ginger. Both were beautiful, but Mary Ann proved she is a much better cook. That alone should give the edge to Mary Ann.

I don't think Wells took it too seriously, nor should she have. She seemed to embrace her place in television history. She made many appearances and was always hugely popular at comic cons.

I had the pleasure of meeting Wells a few times. She was always extremely sweet and engaging with all fans.

Tony met Wells a few years ago. Looking at them, I somehow think Tony could have made a good Skipper and he would probably say I would make a good Gilligan. Maybe I don't want to give him that idea.

Tony and Dawn Wells in Rosemont, IL-March 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #791 Marlen Esparza & J.J. Watt

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams.

Born in Pasadena, Texas, Marlen Esparza was the first American female boxer to qualify for the Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the women's flyweight division in the 2012 Olympics. She has gone on to win titles in the WBC, WBO, WBA and Ring. Esparza won her Celebrity Jersey Card when she tossed a ceremonial pitch for her home state Houston Astros. 

Wisconsin native J.J. Watt was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2011 draft. He went on to play 10 stellar seasons with the Texans and two more with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring. His two brothers also have played in the NFL. Since retiring, Watt has become an outstanding broadcaster. He appeared on field for the Astros to earn his Celebrity Jerey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Larry Biittner Topps 1971 & '74

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create digital trading cards for players missed in various sets. I borrowed this concept from far too many to thank, but I appreciate all of their efforts.

Larry Biittner was selected by the Washington Senators in the 10th round of the 1968 MLB June Amateur Draft and made his MLB debut with two games in 1970. He was traded to the Montreal Expos after the 1973 season, then to the Chicago Cubs midway through the 1976 season. After the '81 season, he signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds. He played two seasons with the Reds, before signing back with the Texas Rangers for his final season. For his career, he played in 1,217 games, compiling a .273 batting average with 29 HRs, 354 RBIs and 310 runs scored.

For his efforts, Topps gave Biittner cards in its sets from 1972-73 and 1975-1984. That left 1971 and '74 cards to be created. Once again, I was beaten to the punch by Gio of When Topps Had (Base)balls, an excellent site with hundreds of beautiful cards he created. I know I can't improve on these beauties. At least I can feature them and give a bit extra exposure to the master Gio!

Haley Reinhart at Arcada Speakeasy

If ever there was a performer perfectly suited for the Arcada Speakeasy, it is Haley Reinhart. A self-admitted old soul of music, Haley just fits the mood and vibe of the place.

Arcada Speakeasy is a throwback to those places of yesteryear. Complete with a password (Zoot Suit Riot) and secret doorway, everything about this place is a throwback.

I am not a concert guy, but I will always go to see Haley when she is around the Chicago area. This was my tenth time seeing her, trailing only 12 for Billy Joel. I have turned on several friends to Haley, including Tony, then his wife JoAnne, who I joined at the latest show.

One constant about Haley is her family. Their bond is evident on and off stage. On stage, father Harry often joins Haley for a few songs, while mom Patti sometimes will also sing a number or two.

Go to HaleyReinhart.com for more info on Haley. Also, check ClubArcada.com for info on this great venue.

Haley Reinhart and me in St. Charles, IL-September 2025.

On the Beat with Scott Romer

At the Squared Circle Expo VI, I had the opportunity to interview ace photographer Scott Romer about his book, When It Was: My Life on Both Sides of the Camera. That interview is at On the Beat with Scott Romer.

Scott Romer has photographed thousands of wrestlers and wrestling moments. In his book, he shares many of these pictures, along with stories from his incredible and lengthy career. There are also stories from friends and colleagues. If you're a wrestling fan or just want to read about an interesting life, this is a book for you. It's on my book shelf and it should be on yours.

It is available on Amazon and other retail outlets. Even better, you can email Scott (he gives this info at the end of the interview) to get a signed copy.

Tony, Scott Romer and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.

Meeting the Wienermobile

How have I never seen the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile prior to last month? It was created in 1936 by Oscar Mayer's nephew Carl, but somehow I have never seen it in person.

In a classic example of changing things for the sake of change, it was renamed the Frankmobile in 2023, but popular demand caused the company to revert back to calling it the Wienermobile. Why mess with something successful?

When it appeared at The Storefront in Skokie, I was first on the scene as always. I got my picture quickly, before hundreds of folks lined up for it.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and me in Skokie, IL-February 2026.