Stevie Ray at Squared Circle Expo VI

Squared Circle Expo VI was another amazing event. SCX continues to raise the bar for great conventions and not just wrestling cons. SCX is among the best of any convention.

One of the many guests Tony and I wanted to meet was Stevie Ray. Laslon Steven Huffman is the older brother of Booker T, with whom he formed the great Harlem Heat tag team. Together they won the WCW tag tiles 10 times. Stevie Ray also had some success outside of WCW, but it was there which really put him and Booker T into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.

Obviously, we knew he was a big man (billed as 6'5" and 292), somehow he seemed even bogger. The man is 68 and his is almost as thick as Tony and me together. His arms are huge, too.

One thing that makes these encounters special is when the celebrity is into it and Stevie Ray was. He was very engaging and seemed delighted to meet so many fans. He initiated extra conversation with us, which is always welcome.

This also speaks to the folks who run SCX. While Stevie Ray went above and beyond, I have never had anything near a bad encounter at SCX. The promoters to a great job with bringing in the right people. So kudos to Steve and to the SCX folks.

For more info on SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. I am already looking forward to next year!

Stevie Ray, Tony and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.

Friend Encounters: Weird Al Yankovic and Troy G.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Once again I present my media pal Troy at the Big Slick Charity Celebrity Softball Weekend. Troy covers and participates in it and I cover Troy.

Weird Al Yankovic was one of the many celebs who were in Kansas City. Yankovic is such a talented person. Many years and hundreds of parody songs into his career, he is still going strong. Unfortunately, there is no box score to see how he did at the game, but outcomes don't matter, because it's all about raising money. 

The brainchild of Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis, Big Slick debuted in 2010. It has raised $21 million for Children's Mercy.

I saw so many other celebs with Troy. I really am envious. I also hope to be there some year.

Go to The Geary Stein & Stevens Show to be entertained. Also, check bigslickkc.org for more info on that great event and organization.

Troy and Al Yankovic in Kansas City, MO-May 2024.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #794: Pepper Burruss & Joel Kopischke

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 with two longtime Wisconsin staples.

Pepper Burruss was recognized as a Pro Football Hall of Fame Award of Excellence recipient last year. He is one of only 14 NFL athletic trainers to be so honored. His 42-year career started with the New York Jets, but he spent 26 years with the Green Bay Packers, retiring after the 2019 season. The Milwaukee Brewers had Burruss toss a ceremonial pitch, which landed him on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Entertainer Joel Kopischke has been on stage for most of his life. He is known for song parodies, jingles and wide variety of singing styles. He has done jingles for McDonald's, Visa, Kohl's and many other well-known companies. Kopischke earned his Celebrity Jersey Card by entertaining fans at a Brewers game.

Cards That Never Were: Lamar Johnson Topps 1975

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

First baseman Lamar Johnson was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 3rd round of the 1968 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 1974 playing a few games in September after playing most of the year in AAA. After playing most of 1975 in AAA, he was up for good in 1976. He was part of several platoons at first base through the 1981 season, usually playing the most games. He became a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers before the 1982 season, but was released before the 1983 season to end his MLB career. For his career, Johnson played in 792 games, hitting .287 with 64 HRs, 381 RBIs and 294 run scored.

Topps gave Johnson cards in sets 1976-'83. That left a 1975 card missing. His 1976 card was a multi-player rookie card, which I previously made into a solo card. Now his full run is complete.

Introducing Katerina Mrazova of the PWHL

Born in Czechoslovakia, Kateřina Mrázová plays for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is also a member of the Czech Republic women's national ice hockey team.

In international play, Mrázová has represented the Czech Republic since 2008. She has also played for several other leagues since 2012. She joined the Ottawa Charge for their first season in 2023. In 62 games with the Charge, she has 10 goals and 33 points.

The Charge were in Rosemont, Illinois as part of the PWHL neutral sites Takeover Tour. It's basically an attempt to raise awareness of the league and possibly test for future expansion. After the second Takeover Tour game here, the thought is Chicago has a legit shot at getting a team next season.

I might have been the oldest fan in line to meet the players, but they were all very nice as I expressed my respect and support for the players and league.

Currently there are eight teams in the PWHL. I don't know if any expansion if officially planned for next season, but it's only a matter of time before more teams are added, especially if the league continues to draw as many fans as it has.

For more info on the league, go to thepwhl.com. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Katerina Mrazova and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Athletes Unlimited Volleyball: Willow Johnson

 As regular readers know, I have always been fascinated by sports families, particularly multi-generations and multi-spots. Today's feature fits all of thos categories.

Willow Johnson is a star volleyball player and the daughter of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson. I had heard of Willow a while back, but being she plays for the University of Oregon, I didn't get any chances to watch her games. That changed earlier this year with Athletes Unlimited debuting a volleyball league.

Like her father Randy, Willow, at 6'3", is a tall lefty. At Oregon, she finished ninth in program history with a .272 hitting percentage. She had 1,011 kills and 1,165 career points. In AU competition, Willow was of to a solid start, but got injured.

On a selfish side, I was happy to have gotten a chance to speak to Willow prior to her injury. She had a great game and was part of the post-game media session. I asked Willow about advice from her famous father. Willow responded that her father has helped her with generalities, but his expertise isn't volleyball, so he didn't get into specific stuff. Willow's entire media session is at On the Beat With AU Volleyball 2021 Week 2.

I never had the chance to interview Randy, but I have added Willow to my list of interview subjects. I hope to talk to her sometime in the future..

For more info on all of AU sports, go to AUProSports.com. Follow Willow on social media to get updates on her career and life (and maybe Randy, too).

Willow Johnson and me-March 2021.

Scott Romer Shout Out

After our recent interview at Squared Circle Expo VI, ace photographer Scott Romer gave a shout out to Johngy's Beat. We appreciate Scott's consideration.

In turn, I highly recommend his book, When It Was: My Life on Both Sides of the Camera. It's a great book full of stories and pictures from Scott's many years covering wrestling. If you missed our interview, look back to early April when it ran here.

Friend Encounters: David Cone and Jerry

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Look at my bud Jerry all spiffed up. I used to see Jerry in a cape.

I have known Jerry for many years. He was my first main contact at Wizard World (now Fan Expo). He was awesome, not only because he facilitated so many great interviews for me, but because he was just a good guy. I always looked forward to catching up with Jerry every year at Wizard World.

Unfortunately, things changed a bit when Fan Expo took over Wizard World. While much of the convention stayed the same, the PR person situation changed. Jerry hasn't been back to Fan Expo Chicago, although he still is a part of the organization.

One of the fun parts of "The Pride of Fordham" is he often wore a cape for fun. Jerry has the right balance of professionalism and fun. He is the standard for PR guys and I appreciate all he did for me.

A noted baseball fan, it is fitting I feature him meeting a baseball pitcher. David Cone had an excellent career, including a perfect game. Some would say he deserves an induction into the Hall of Fame. I say he is close, but I am all for a small HOF. I think he falls a bit short. His record of 194-126 is impressive, but despite the modern view of stats, I don't vote for a pitcher in that era with less than 200 wins.

Jerry, on the other hand, is a Hall of Famer in my book. If there is ever a comic con HOF or a PR HOF, Jerry i a first ballot lock!

David Cone and Jerry in New Rochelle, NY-December 2012.

Happy Birthday, Jean

Today is our middle sibling's birthday. I am sure Scott and Jean will be celebrating somewhere in Florida today, but I toast her here.

Like my eldest sibling Nancy, Jean is my rock. I love and appreciate them both more than they will know or than I can properly express.

On my last trip to Florida, Jean drove me around to a few cool sculptures, because she knows I enjoy them. There was a Beatles night, a comedy night and an unexpected night of Loyola women's basketball Jean always goes above and beyond, like driving 90 minutes to meet my longtime pal and Global Traveler boss Fran. Of course I enjoy all of that, but I enjoy just hanging out an laughing. She also scouted a few cannoli locations and they were fantastic.

I am blessed to have two great sisters. I put it here always knowing they will read it and know I love them dearly.

While Jean is enjoying her day in Florida, I wish her a great birthday from here. Happy birthday, Jean, I love you.

Jean and me in Florida-February 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #793: Kelley O'Hara & Emily Sonnett

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 with two female soccer players repping the Atlanta Braves.

Born in Peachtree, Georgia, Kelley O'Hara represented the United States for 20 years, winning awards on the international scene. She also played 16 seasons in her senior career, retiring just in 2024. An iut LGBT athlete, was one of the executive producers on a film about two soccer players developing feelings for each other. O'Hara gained a Celebrity Jersey Card by appearing on the field for her native state Atlanta Braves.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Emily Sonnett had an excellent soccer career at Virginia, before turning pro in 2016. She has played for a few pro teams, while also representing the U.S. internationally. Sonnett struck the double biceps pose while repping a Braves jersey to get her Celebrity Jersey Card.