Celebrity Jersey Cards #748: John Harbaugh & Kimmie Meissner

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams. 

Born in Toledo, Ohio, John Harbaugh is the older brother of former NFL QB Jim Harbaugh. The Harbaugh brothers are the first set of brothers to be head coaches in the NFL. They also are the first to face each other in the Super Bowl. The elder Harbaugh played defensive back at Miami University before embarking on his coaching career. After several coaching stints elsewhere, Harbaugh became Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. While at Miami University, Harbaugh was roommates with the late wrestler Brian Pillman. When the Baltimore Orioles had Harbaugh toss a ceremonial pitch, he wore #3, which was worn by several Orioles, although none were too notable. I'll go with Johnny Berardino, who went on to fame on tv's General Hospital. Harbaugh does lose a point for wearing a dress shirt under his jersey on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Kimmie Meissner was norn in Towson, Maryland and went on to be a highly decorated figure skater. The youngest competitor at the 2006 Olympics, she was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2020. Like a tue competitor, Meissner went all in for her ceremonial pitch, looking to the catcher for her sign. I think that is the first such pose on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Ricky Seilheimer Topps 1981

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

Once again, Jeff of the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group beat me to a card creation. Jeff is a key contributor to that group, which is not only baseball cards, despite its name. Not needing to duplicate his efforts, when he did it so well already, I simply highlight Jeff's card instead of making my own.

Catcher Ricky Seilheimer was selected  by the Chicago White Sox in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1979 amateur draft. He made his MLB debut the next season, appearing in 21 games. He returned to the minors, where he stayed until retiring after the 1986 season. For his career, Seilheimer had 11 hits for a .212 average with one HR, three RBIs and four runs scored.

Topps did not give Seilheimer any cards, but Jeff did and it is a beauty. Seeing no need to create another, when Jeff did a great one, I simply highlight his work.

Jessica Mendoza and Athletes Unlimited

Athletes Unlimited started a new softball league utilizing traditional softball rules. Athletes Unlimited Softball League is back to the basics and I love it that way.

On Opening Day a few weeks ago, softball legend Jessica Mendoza greeted fans. Mendoza was part of an amazing weekend featuring other softball legends and many special activities.

AUSL returns to Rosemont next week for another three games, before hitting the road again. AUSL will return to Rosemont later in July to end its inaugural season. If you can't make it to any of the games, you can watch somewhere on the ESPN platform. USL is elite level play of my favorite sport.

Go to auprosports.com for more info on Athletes Unlimited. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Jessica Mendoza and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2025.

Burn the Jukebox Comes to Chicago

A while back I wrote about my quest to interview Burn the Jukebox, a teenage band my niece and I have been following. While I haven't achieved that goal yet, I did the next best thing.

My sister, niece and I saw BTJ perform at RocHaus in West Dundee, about an hour west of Chicago. After two opening acts performed for about 45 minutes each, BTJ took the stage for a solid two hour set. 

The band started with an original tune with Virginia singing. The rest of the show was mostly covers and mostly Virginia on lead vocals. They did a few original tunes and Luke Hoffman took the lead on a few.

Their musicianship is tight and they have a definite stage presence. I think Virginia is the leader and potential breakout star. They have been together for a few years, but who knows what might happen. As teenagers, their futures could go anywhere.

I still want to interview the band. For now, my niece and I are happy with our long quest finally being satisfied.

Laura, Nancy, me, Carter, Virginia, Luke and Luke in West Dundee, IL-June 2025.

Dave and Kal Herro at Fan Expo

Fan Expo returns to Chicago (Rosemont) August 15-17. As always, I will be "On the Beat" all weekend.

Last year, a special attraction was a preview of The Herro's Journey, the documentary about Wisconsin wrestling promoter David Herro. It's a story about a man and his son, with wrestling as the backdrop, but you don't have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy it.

David and his son Kal were there, as were director Danny Reyes and producer David Vox Mullen. Also there were many friends I met through wrestling, like Sandra. The preview was followed by a Q&A. The crowd applauded all throughout the short preview and after the event ended. Despite it being only a sneak look, it still triggered emotions and chills as we saw David in a new light.

After the event, we chatted in several different groups. We were all excited about seeing it come to fruition, which it recently did. I interviewed Daid a few weeks ago about the whole process.

To watch o\my interview with David, go to On the Beat with David Herro. For more info on FanExpo go to fanexpohq.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Kal, David, Sandra and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2024.

Meet Mr. Robinson

Kansas Robinson is a star player for the Northwestern Wildcats. Her father Van is a star fan of the Wildcats.

A few times I have had the pleasure of sitting right by Robinson. Even when I am not near him, I still know he's there. Robinson is loud and proud of his girl and the whole team. Let me be clear though, it is all in the best way. You can't help but feel his passion and be brought into it.

When I talked to Kansas this season, I mentioned I thought her father was awesome. She smiled and said "that's dad." I could tell she was equally proud of her dad. It really is nice to see that relationship.

Next season, when Kansas finishes her Northwestern career, I can't imagine how hyped both will be on Senior Day. They might steal the show.

For more info on the Cats, go to nusports.com. For more on Mr. Robinson, well...you just have to come to a game.

Van Robinson and me in Evanston, IL-April 2025.

Friend Encounters: Ken Anderson and Jim

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

This is entitled Misterrrrrrrr Anderson and Misterrrrrrrr Strong. Actually, with his recent workout regimen, Jim should be called Misterrrr Stronger!

Perhaps inspired by his wrestling friend Ken Anderson, my pal Jim has been working out big time. Results are starting to show, as seen in this picture. Results aren't easy for old guys like Jim and me. At least he is trying. 

Anderson has had an interesting career. A while ago, he was involved in big storylines in the WWE. He seemed to have a bright future there, but it didn't work out. He went on to have an excellent run in Impact Wrestling and remains a presence in the world of wrestling. He's a funnyguy, along with being a solid wrestler.

Jim is a longtime wrestling fan and photographer. Why it took so long for the workouts to come his way is unknown, but he dove into it big time in recent months.

Striking the double biceps pose, these two could be a tag team. Anderstrong?

Ken Anderson and Jim in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards: #747 Kate Ledecky & Helen Maroulis

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing pro jerseys. I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams. 

Born in Washington, D.C. Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history and the most decorated American woman in Olympic history, with a total of 14 Olympic medals, including nine golds. A Stanford grad, Ledecky is still active and adding to her numerous records. It is cool to see a native DC'er toss a first pitch for the Nats.. That deserves a Celebrity Jersey Card.

A native of Rockville, Maryland, Helen Maroulis grew up to be a champion amateur wrestler. A holder of many records and medals, Maroulis she is the first American to win a gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling at the Olympics. Maroulis showed a power move in scooping up one of the Presidential mascots at a Nationals game. That feat of strength earned her a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Nardi Contreras Topps 1981

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

Pitcher Nardi Contreras was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 1969 amateur draft and was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1972 minor league draft. He was released by the Mets, signed and released by the Phillies and signed by the Chicago White Sox before he debuted in 1980. Unfortunately, his entire MLB would consist of pitching eight games in relief, compiling a 5.93 ERA. After two more seasons in the minors, he retired at the end of the 1982 season and eventually became a pitching coach.

For his efforts, Topps did not give Contreras a card, but Jeff of the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group made a great one. Jeff is a key contributor to that group, which is not only baseball cards, despite its name. Not needing to duplicate his efforts, when he did it so well already, I simply highlight Jeff's card instead of making my own.

Pinfalls: WWE Night of Champions

WWE Night of Champions is tonight. My The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast partner Tommy Elese and I analyze the card and make our predictions.

Check the video at Pinfalls: WWE Night of Champions. Make your picks and see how you do against us.