Shiny Hardware: PWHL Trophy and Jonathan

Next to mascots, trophies are one of my favorite objects. Today, I feature two relatively new trophies and an old friend.

The Women's Professional Hockey League has existed for two seasons and the Minnesota Frost won both championships. Those are the two trophies behind my pal Jonathan. The PWHL started with four teams, but now has eight. There are four teams each in Canada and the United States. I am hoping for an expansion to Chicago. 

As for Cimags, he's been around a lot longer than the PWHL, although I only met him about 10 years ago at a Chicago Bandits game. He is an avid sports fan and autograph collector. He probably has more than 1,000 signatures, obviously many being of women sports stars, such as the Bandits and Frost. While I a, not a grapher, like Cimags, I would have liked to meet the Frost players and again, hope to eventually meet Chicago players.

Go to TheWPHL.com for more info on the league. The season started in November and runs through April 25, 2026.

For more on Cimags, check the Cimags YouTube channel. He has fun videos about graphing, Pokemon and other pop culture stuff.

Cimags and the PWHL trophies in Minneapolis, MN-October 2025.

Talking Travel with Richard Newton

As you can tell, I am a sports fan. My usual interests are pretty basic though. I usualy don't seek out unfamiliar sports. Luckily for me, Richard Newton does just that.

Newton has written many sports articles for Global Traveler. While I had to wait for each issue to see a new sport, you no longer have to wait. Newton just published Global Games, a collection of more than 90 of his sports columns from GT.

I interviewed Newton on Talking Travel to discuss his book and his world travels. He also mentioned his older book, Burton & Taylor in Africa and an upcoming project.

Watch the interview at Talking Travel with Richard Newton. Please subscribe to the GT YouTube channel, too!

Cartman at Wizard World/Fan Expo

I freely admit I have a fascination with mascots and characters of all sorts. When I met Cartman at Wizard World several years ago, I had to get a picture with him.

I realize he isn't a mascot. He wasn't really a character either. He was someone cosplaying as Eric Cartman from South Park. It wasn't even a particularly great cosplay, as it was more of a cardboard cutout, then a costume. Still, I was assigned with getting fun character pictures and this worked for me.

More recently, Wizard World was purchased by Fan Expo, but it retained all the pop culture greatness. There is still a lot of cosplay, although many characters are out of my range of knowledge. I'm old and not hip to new video game characters or even some television characters. They do look good though and they are entertaining.

For more info on Fan Expo, go to fanexpohq.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Cartman and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

Friend Encounters: Jim Gantner and Dennis

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today I feature my Wisconsin convention buddy Dennis. I only see Dennis at conventions, but it is always great seeing him. I am envious of the athletes he meets and today's is one of those occasions.

Jim Gantner played 19 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. Gantner, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount comprise one of the trios who played the most games together. Yount and Molitor made the Hall of Fame, while Gantner played steady ball mostly at second base for all those years. He is also one of the longest tenured players with one team who is not a Hall of Famer.

That's what makes his career even more impressive. The Brewers must have thought highly enough of Gantner to keep him all those years, even though he never even made an All Star team.

Gantner is just one of so many athletes Dennis has met. Dennis usually focuses on Milwaukee players, but he gets plenty of others, too. I am envious of this one, because I was a big fan of Gantner. He was my kind of player. I did get to briefly interview him years ago, but I couldn't ask for a picture.

Dennis and Jim Gantner in Milwaukee, WI-May 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards: #774 Abby Ramirez & Kristyn Sandberg

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I feature two of my favorite former Chicago Bandits pro softball players.

Chicago area native Abby Ramirez starred at the University of Michigan before joining the Chicago Bandits. A key player on the championship teams, Abby started her coaching career while playing. After National Pro Fastpitch ended, Abby went on to play foe Athletes Unlimited. Currently, she is an assistant coach at DePaul with a bright future. I cannot compliment Abby enough for her talents or her friendship. She is truly is a class act. Her Celebrity Jersey Card, which includes Chicgo Cubs mascot Clark, comes from her big day at Wrigley Field. Among other things, Abby sang the 7th inning stretch. 

New York native Kristyn Sandberg starred at Georgia before playing professionally in the NPF. Chicagoans were happy to have Kristyn end her career here, but we wish it was under better circumstances. Kristyn has battled foot injuries for years and never quite came back healthy. Still, one of my greatest thrills was taking batting practice of of her. She is currently a coach at Hofstra. Her Celebrity Jersey Card apparently comes from a Christmas gift of her favorite team's jersey. Kristyn is as tough as they come and a pleasure to know.

Thank You, Missa Kate!

It was billed as a "career vs. career" match as Missa Kate faced Steve Boz at Chicago Style Wrestling. Despite the stipulation, I figured down the line, there would be a return, no matter who won. That's just how wrestling works. In this case, I think I was wrong.

Missa battled Boz, but came up just short. The crowd booed. Then the crowd cheered in appreciation for Missa, as her career seemed to be over (for now). 

This was different though. Tears flowed from Missa's eyes as she waled to the back. These emotions didn't seem to be selling the result. This seemed legit.

Then the reality hit later, when Missa posted on social media. She was done. This was it. She was hanging up her bots. She even mentioned selling all of her gear on Ebay to further drive home the point. I am never quite sure in wrestling, because folks have come back after long absences, but this appears to actually be it for Missa.

I have written many times about my appreciation for Missa in and out of the ring. Her skills are among the best I have ever seen. She has no weakness. Her spin kick is perfection. She can take and give a beating. She works great as a good guy or heel. Her charisma is off the charts.

Outside of the ring, she is just as great. She is one of the sweetest, most genuine folks.

I don't know what the future holds for her. I know she is an intelligent, hard-working, passionate person. I am sure she will do great wherever the road takes her.

I thank Missa for all the great matches I have seen. I thank her more for her friendship over the years.

''

Missa Kate and me in Berwyn, IL-November 2922.

Talking Travel with Meena Thiruvengadam

Sometimes I search too far when a good source is much closer. Such was the case with fellow Chicagoan travel journalist Meena Thiruvengadam.

Many years ago, Meena combined her passions for writing and travel into a career into what I would call a travel entrepreneur. She is still a busy journalist, but she has built a travel platform along with it.

Through Travel with Meena, she shares her vast knowledge of all aspects of travel and she is not afraid to admit to learning from her followers, too. Meena said she wanted to give a voice to people of color and to make it easier for them. Without diminishing that goal, I think she has done that for everyone. Perhaps that is the key though. Perhaps by focusing a bit on people of color, she is also enlightening the rest of the world. Maybe this brings us all closer and makes travel that much better.

Whatever her original goals were, she is succeeding on a bigger stage. Meena is definitely making an impact in travel. I am happy to share her story with everyone.

Watch our interview at Talking Travel with Meena Thiruvengadam. While you're there, subscribe to the GT YouTube channel.

Baby Owen Is Home!

This is the best Christmas present for my pal Justin James and his family. Baby Owen is finally home. After about seven months in the NICU, Owen is home with his family.

After former pro wrestler and current teacher Justin James and his wife had baby Owen they got the bad news he had some major throat issues and would require several procedures and a lengthy hospital stay. #FightLikeOwen became a rallying cry for all who knew Justin and his family. Fundraisers were held and prayers were said.

Recently, Justin announced Owen is home. While hopefully Owen has overcome the worst, he still faces some battles. Hopefully, he wins each battle and starts to live like an average infant.

I have talked to Justin in interviews and off the record. I'm not telling any secrets when I say he is a man of great faith. Speaking from my experience in my youth, I assured him Owen will not remember any of this. Hopefully, he will get a clean bill of health before he is at the age of recall.

Last month, POWW Entertainment, where Justin used to wrestle and where he is still involved, held a special event to honor his late uncle and to raise money for Owen. The turnout was even greater than expected, as friends and fans filled the venue. It was a wonderful night, especially after Justin announced the projected going home date for Owen. It is all even better now that Owen is home!

Merry Christmas to all! Count your blessings today. I am sure Justin and his family are doing just that!

Justin James and me in Elk Grove, IL-November 2025.

Kiss Demon or Dale Torborg

Is the Kiss Demon from wrestling included in the Kiss universe? To most, the answer is an easy one, but to diehard Kiss fans, I'm not sure.

Wrestling's Kiss Demon was Dale Torborg, longtime Major League Baseball coach and son of former MLB player and manager Jeff. World Championship Wrestling partnered with Kiss to create a wrestler and have Kiss play a concert at a WCW show. It was a unique partnership, although it didn;t last long. Dale did continue using the gimmick for a while. That's why he appeared at Squared Circle Expo in 2023.

SCX is a fantastic wrestling convention featuring wrestling legends and current stars. It returns to Indianapolis March 27-28.

Back to the Kiss Demon, many fans will collect anything and everything Kiss-related. Obviously, the Kiss Demon appeals to those folks.

Kiss purists might argue he was not a member of Kiss and therefore outside of their collecting interests. Some really elite fans only want the four original Kiss members. Collectors can be a picky bunch.

Either way, Dale as the Demon was a popular guest at SCX. he appeared as himself and in makeup, pleasing all fans, including baseball fans like me.

For more info on SCX, to to squaredcircx.com. Also, check Dale's amazing documentary on his father, Jeff Torborg - A Wonderful Baseball Life.

Dale Torborg, Tony and me in Indianapolis, IN-April 2023.

Dale Torborg at Squared Circle Expo 2023

Dale Torborg is the perfect person to spotlight to promote both Global Traveler, the Squared Circle Expo and Jeff Torborg- A Wonderful Baseball Life, the documentary Dale produced about his father Jeff, a former Major League Baseball player and manager. I give rave reviews to all three.

I met Dale a couple years back at SCX. More known for his lengthy career as an MLB coach, Dale spent time in wrestling as the Kiss Demon. The character was an attempt by World Championship Wrestling to jump on the Kiss bandwagon.

SCX returns to Indianapolis March 27-28. SCX VI promises to be the best SCX yet, which is a high standard to meet. Knowing the promoters, I have no doubt SCX VI will surpass the rest. Each SCX seems to be bigger and better. It is a must on my yearly convention ciruit.

More recently, I interviewed Dale about his father for Global Traveler. The interview focused mostly on the documentary about Jeff. It was an amazing film about a wonderful man. It worked on several levels. Baseball fans will definitely love it, but it also makes a feelgood true life movie.

If you missed my interview, it is at Talking Travel with Dale Torborg. After that, check out Jeff Torborg - A Wonderful Baseball Life on YouTube.

Dale Torborg and me in Indianapolis, IN-April 2023.