Happy Birthday Cuzz

Today I celebrate the birthday of my dear friend Cuzz (aka Chuck E. Gekas).  He might not be the only Chuck Gekas, but he is uniquely a great person and I'm proud to call him a friend.

We've gone on many roadtrips together, seen many ball games, attended many comic cons and had other random good times.  Not only does he make the trips fun, he often acts as my photographer at the conventions (a thankless job which I greatly appreciate).

We've had many silly discussions on important topics like backup catchers, sports trivia and Seinfeld.  We've also had serious discussions on religion and faith.  I have learned a lot from Cuzz.

When I think of people celebrating birthdays today who have made their mark on this world, I think of John Candy, Michael Landon, Brian Piccolo, Cuzz and Dan Rather.

Aside from featuring Cuzz on Johngy's Beat, I could think of no better way to honor him than with his own invention of the 3-1-1.  Hey, at least I didn't go with Rob Schneider, Deidra Hall, Vanilla Ice, Cuzz and Dave Freisleben.

Happy birthday Cuzz!  I hope it's a great one!

Cuzz Gekas and me in Novi, MI-May 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Dee Snider and Mad Man Pondo

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

It always cracks me up to see Mad Man Pondo meeting his favorite celebrities.  It's an interesting juxtaposition to the man who has totally earned his "Mad Man" moniker through his in-ring work.

Pondo is known for his hardcore matches.  I've seen him use stop signs, staplers, bats wrapped in barb wire and other dangerous objects.  Worse yet, he seems to enjoy it when they are used on him.  He can dish out punishment, but he also takes it well.

Then I see the fan (I will not call him a fanboy) who is meeting any of his favorites and he is just a regular guy.  (Okay, maybe not quite regular, as he is still Pondo, but pretty close to regular.)

It really just goes to prove that we all have our interests.  Those of us who attend these comnic cons, all have that certain celeb who we really want to meet.

Look at the picture of Pondo and musical legend Dee Snider.  Pondo looks gleeful (please do not tell him that.)  Of course, Snider was also happy to meet Pondo.

Snider was very happy to meet all of his fans.  In fact, as I previously reported, Snider went above and beyond to satisfy his fans after a storm caused him to be delayed.  Still, this particular meeting brought Snider extra joy.  Pondo is fairly well known in circles outside of wrestling, too.  He's a bit of a legend in his own right.

Pondo is a great guy.  I'm happy to call him a friend.  I'm also happy to see him jump from line to line, just like me at the cons.  Who'd have thought that Pondo and me are a bit alike (please don't tell him that either).

Snider will be appearing at Days of the Dead in Chicago November 17-19.  I don't know if Pondo will also be there, but there is a chance.  Either way, it will be a great time.

Mad Man Pondo and Dee Snider in Indianapolis, IN-July 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #346 Corey Crawford & Andrew Desjardins

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly feature in which I create trading cards for celebrities spotted wearing jerseys.  The Chicago Cubs are out of the playoffs and therefore it's time to focus on football and the Bears.

Goalie Corey Crawford was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL Draft.  He made his NHL debut in the 2005-06 season, but was here to stay midway through 2009-10.  He is a 2x Stanley Cup champion and a 2x All-Star.  Now he can add a Celebrity Jersey Card to his awards.

Center Andrew Desjardins was undrafted, but has played in the NHL since the 2010-11 season.  He started with the San Jose Sharks, but joined the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2014-15 season, just in time to win a Stanley Cup.  During the latest offseason, he signed with the German League.  I love that he is taking a selfie on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Marty Domres Topps 1972 and 1978

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

Marty Domres was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1969 and started four games in that season.  He played for the Chargers through the 1971 season.

He played for the Baltimore Colts from 1972 through '75 and replaced Johnny Unitas as the starter.  He joined the San Francisco 49ers for the 1976 season and the New York Jets for his final season in 1977.

Topps gave Domres cards in their sets for 1971 and 1973 through '76.  As usual, I cannot argue with their choices, but I can fill in some of the gaps at least.

I created cards for the 1972 and '78 sets.  Ironically, both were action shots, while his actual Topps cards were all chest-up portrait shots.  They are all very similar, too, with '73 and '74 being the same picture.  If I find any color shots of Domres with the 49ers, I will create a 1977 card.

Agnes Garbowska at Motor City Comic Con 2015

Alice Grabowska is another of the talented creators who I found in Artist Alley at the Motor City Comic Con.  Alice was born in Poland, but moved to Canada as a toddler.  Her interest in art started at an early age.  She has worked on many comics for many comic book publishers, including My Little Pony for IDW and other works for Dark Horse, Marvel and more.

Aside from working for others, Alice has produced a few all-age web comics.  You, me and Zombie is about a girl and her dog in a world of zombies.  Waking Up Abbey features a girl who wakes up daily with new special powers.  Imagination Station features three friends who imagine new space adventures.  All of these have been collected in book form in  MyMisiu Gazette Vol. 1.

She also sells her original artwork.  These works include creations based on Dr. Who, My Little Pony, Game of Thrones and much more.

You can learn more about her at AliceGarbowska.com.  You can also follow her at Alice Grabowksa on Facebook and Alice Grabowska on twitter.

I am looking forward to meeting all of he artists at this year's Motor City Comic Con.  There will be a lot of fa,iliar favorites and certainly some new ones for me to discover.

Agnes Garbowska and me in Novi, MI-May 2015.

Catching Up With Jay Bradley

Prior to Resistance Pro, I was aware of Jay Bradley, having seen him on WWE television and knowing he was a local guy.  At Resistance, I got to see him up close and actually know him.

The big departure of Billy Corgan (and several wrestlers) from RPro has been well-documented.  Jay was part of the departure.

I still followed Jay.  He went to TNA Impact Wrestling, but transformed into Aiden O'Shea, an Irish brawler.  Besides the fact that the Irish brawler gimmick has been done to death, I never liked that role for Jay.  He didn't need that gimmick.  He is a natural brawler.  That is Jay.  He brings down the boomstick and smashes you in the mouth.  I wouldn't tinker with any of his persona, except maybe to give him a manager as a mouthpiece.

Jay wasn't bad on the mic at RPro, but his strength is definitely in the ring.  Pairing him up with a manager to talk the talk and Jay could easily be a solid contributor to TNA (or WWE for that matter).

Aside from my angst over the gimmick, I feel a bit of a loss from not seeing Jay regularly at RPro.  He'll be the first to admit that he can be a bit of a caveman, but he was always fun to watch and he treated me well.  I had no complaints about Jay.

I have seen him a handful of times since his departure from RPro and it is always good.  I don't think he holds any animosity towards me (like some of the departed).  What I did to deserve that wrath of the few is still beyond me, but I don't worry about them anymore.  Jay doesn't seem to have that mindset, maybe because to Jay it is all about the wrestling.

This is part of what makes Jay great, even though it is also the source of some criticism hurled at him.  I don't see Jay playing games.

Wrestling is a tough business.  Sometimes it is who you know and how you "play the game" that gets you moved higher up the chain.  Like I have written, to Jay it is about the wrestling.

I recently saw Jay at the Wheaton All-Night Flea Market.  As always, he was fine with me.  He talked about not being with Impact at this time and about his upcoming wrestling gig n Japan.  I'm sure Jay will do well there.  The Japanese fan seems more interested in the in-ring stuff and that is where Jay excels.

I wish Jay well.  I have always liked him and his skills.  I wish things were different all around with the way RPro transitioned, but that's life.  I'm glad at least with Jay, things are okay.

Jay Bradley and me in Wheaton, IL-August 2017.

Heavyweight Champ John Skyler at Resistance Pro

"The Southern Savior" John Skyler captured the Resistance Pro Heavyweight title at the last RPro event.  I recapped that surprising and exciting night for the Patch at On the Beat at Resistance Pro's "Rumble in Summit."

Skyler has been wrestling since 2008.  He has had matches in the WWE and in TNA, as well as in Japan and pretty much everywhere else.  He already held RPro gold, as one half of the tag team champions with Corey Hollis.  That title reign lasted 6 months.

His current run as champ started with a surprise and a bit of controversy, but that doesn't take away from his victory.  He did win the belt within the rules given.

Along with Skyler, Holidead also won the Women's title, by defeating 3 others (including then-champ Rachael Ellering) in September.  I think 2018 is going to be a big comeback year for the company.  Exciting things are happening at RPro.

The next RPro event is in Summit as usual.  "Kingdom Come" will take place Saturday, November 18.  Doors open at 6 pm and bell time is 7 pm.

The November show is their anniversary show and it is always a special one.  Skyler's first title defense tops the card, but there will also be plenty of other fantastic action.

For more info on RPro, check ResistancePro.com.  You can also check back here for recurring coverage of Resistance Pro.

John Skyler and me in Summit, IL-September 2017.

Back "On the Beat" With the Rockford IceHogs

Several years ago, I was covered the (now defunct) Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.  Midway through the 2013 season, the organization seemed to be in turmoil.  The league eventually took over the team and the remainder of their home games were played in the BMO Harris Arena in Rockford.

While at a game, I met Mike Peck, then the Media Relations Manager for the Rockford IceHogs.  We talked about my writing and the writing outlets and I started covering the IceHogs for the 2013-14 season.  It's been four great years and I am back on the beat with the IceHogs again for the 2017-18 season.

There is a lot to like about the IceHogs starting with the fact that they are the top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.  I am fond of saying that the IceHogs of today are the Blackhawks of tomorrow.  It's obviously (and naturally) true.  Most of the current Blackhawks (and most of the three Stanley Cup winning Blackhawks) spent time with the IceHogs.

Rockford is an easy 75 minute drive from my home.  Granted the Chicago Wolves would be much closer, but honestly, at the time, they did not recognize internet as true media.  I don't know what their current policy is, but I wouldn't trade the IceHogs for the Wolves anyway.  No disrespect to the Wolves, but I have enjoyed my time with Rockford too much.

The city of Rockford is also a plus.  I think it is underrated.  It has problems like any other city, but they are working hard to revitalize the downtown area.  I have discovered several great restaurants in the area.  I have also stayed overnight at about a dozen or so of their hotels right off of I90.

I'm happy to be back covering the IceHogs.  I really think they have a very exciting team this season.  They have a new, young coach in Jeremy Colliton and I see good things in him and his style.  I would not be surprised if he eventually is the next coach with the Blackhawks.

I will occasionally be reporting back here, but you can also find my coverage of the Icehogs on PuckPlanet.com and Patch.com.  If you happen to go to a game (highly encouraged), look up in the Pressbox and you might just see me.

Friendly Encounters: Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Kevin LaPorte

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

The folks at Wrestling Comics are at it again.  This time, they have chronicled the life of Hacksaw Jim Duggan in comic form.  Duggan has led quite a life and Wrestling Comics has captured it all.
Squared Circle Comics, a division of Inverse Press, prepares ongoing authorized biographical comic book series for professional wrestling legends.  Earlier Wrestling Comics have featured Nikolai Volkoff and The Killer Bees.  These issues have been met with great success and praise from the wrestling community and the gans.  More Wrestling Comics are planned for the future, with series currently in pre-production for Bobby Fulton, Lanny Poffo,and Jack Swagger.  All series are written from personal interviews with the wrestlers by wrestling historian John Crowther, and are expertly illustrated by such artists as DC and Marvel mainstays, Dell Barras and Rich Perotta.
John keeps me updated on the latest news.  He messaged me last week about the new comic featuring Hacksaw Jim Duggan.  After a few days, I realized that I already had a connection with Kevin, having met and interviewed him years ago at Wizard World.  You can find that interview at On the Beat With Kevin LaPorte and Amanda Rachels.  It's cool how it all ties together.
There is a Kickstarter page for the Hacksaw Duggan comic.  They have a bunch of different levels of donations, each with cool incentives.  Even a small (but appreciated) donation of $2 gets you a digital (PDF) copy of Hacksaw Jim Duggan Wrestling.  The incentives keep increasing with bigger (but still reasonable) donations.  There are about two more weeks in the campaign.  To learn more about the Jim Duggan wrestling comic (and hopefully contribute to the cause), go to Hacksaw Jim Duggan Comes to Wrestling Comics!  Hooooo!  

I think these wrestling comics are awesome.  It seems like such a natural fit for the larger-than-life, colorful characters of the ring.  These comics do it perfectly, too.  They take the subject matter seriously, conducting interviews with the wrestlers to get the personal (and accurate) stories.

Jim Duggan and Kevin LaPorte in Hattiesburg, MS-October 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #345 Gary Cooper & William Frawley

This is a weekly series in which I attempt to combine my lifelong passion for sports trading cards with my semi-professional interest in celebrities  Today, we continue working our way alphabetically through Major League Baseball.

Actor Gary Cooper was born in Helena, MT, but rose to fame in Hollywood.  Cooper's career spanned nearly 40 years, until his death in 1961.  His portrayal of Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees landed him on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Born in Burlington, IA, actor William Frawley is perhaps best known for his role as Fred Mertz on tv's I Love Lucy.  Frawley was such a huge fan of the New York Yankees that he had it written into his contract that he did not have to work if the Yankees were in the World Series.  Long-time Yankees backup catcher and manager Ralph Houk joined Frawley on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

POWW Meets Resistance

The world of independent professional wrestling can be odd at times.  Sometimes it is a brotherhood of strong bonds.  Other times it is filled with high school drama.  Friends are competitors.  Competitors are friends.  Sometimes neither is true.

When I first started covering indy wrestling, I went to a lot of events.  I found a home in Resistance Pro and have stayed there for over five years.  While I have seen a few other shows over the years, RPro has been my main focus.

It's not a knock on the other companies.  Mostly, it is a matter of me loving RPro and not having much time for others.

Once in a while, the worlds collide.  Such was the case a few years back when POWW's Jimmy Blaze, Stonewall and GQ Greeko Suave attended an RPro show.

At first glance, it could like the the start of an invasion angle.  To the skeptic, it might have looked like one company scouting the other.  In fact, the truth was far less interesting, but pretty cool.

The trio just came to see friends in action and to have a relaxing night where they weren't working.  I always love the picture below, because it could have been taken at numerous POWW shows, but it was taken at an RPro show.

In the end, they're all just people.  Rivalries happen, but usually get worked out.  There is room for all to work and make fans happy.

Jimmy Blaze, John Giannis, Stonewall, Scott Beatty and me in Chicago, IL-November 2012.

The Multi-Talented, Underrated and Very Sweet Rain Pryor

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rain Pryor.  That interview can be found at On the Beat With Rain Pryor.  I wasn't very experience with interviews then and I probably could have asked better questions, but I did have a lot of fun and this one is still one of my favorites.

Of course, as the daughter of the legendary Richard Pryor, Rain grew up around show business, but she carved her own career as a comedian and actress.  She gained a lot of exposure on tv's Head of the Class, but she also did other television projects, such as Rude Awakening.  Rain also did some great work on stage as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald in two separate productions.

When I saw she was scheduled to perform at a comedy club near me, I immediately contacted her about an interview.  To my delight, she accepted.

After enjoying her set on stage, I introduced myself and she immediately was very pleasant and talkative.  I was more caught up in the moment than actually prepared with some great questions, but I don't really care.  I had a lot of fun doing this.

A couple years later, I met Rain again at Wizard World and she remembered the interview.  We talked for several minutes and once again I walked away feeling good.

I don't profess to know Rain personally, but I just got a really warm feeling from her.  She seems like a genuinely nice person, who'd you'd love to have in your group.  She's naturally funny.  She's probably a lot funnier than people realize.  

It's experiences like this that really make me love what I do.  I was already a fan of hers, but I became an even bigger fan.

I highly recommend Jokes My Father Never Taught Me, a wonderful book written by Rain a few years back.  It's warm, loving and funny, but also honest and open.  You can also follow Rain Pryor Productions to get the latest news and thoughts fom Rain!

Rain Pryor and me in Alsip, IL-October 2011.

Headbangers at Blizzard Brawl 2015

The Headbangers were comprised of Mosh (Charles Warrington) and Thrasher (Glenn Ruth).  They wrestled in the WWE mostly from 1994-2000, winning the tag titles once.

Injuries derailed their tag team run, while bad gimmicks as singles (Beaver Cleavage) did nothing to help their popularity.  Since they left the WWE and the have wrestled occasionally on the independent scene.  They did return to the WWE in 2016 as part of the tag team championship tournament.  That was good for nostalgia, but it was never going to lead to a full time run.

A couple years ago, I met the pair at David Herro's Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl.  Predictably, they were very popular guests.  Wrestling fans can cling to nostalgia at times.  They were fun there, too, playing along with the fans.

I mean no disrespect to the Headbangers, but they will never be counted among the best tag teams in the WWE history.  They had a good gimmick for the time, but it doesn't really hold up over time.  It works as an occasional novelty and the two do well within that context.

Kudos to Herro for bringing in the Headbangers.  They might not make the WWE Hall of Fame, but they were a colorful and entertaining team for a decent stretch.  They seemed to have a lot of fun at Blizzard Brawl and they looked to be in great shape, too.  

in Waukesha, WI-December 2015.

Paul McCartney, Pete Flynn and Johngy

Pete Flynn is a simple man and a class act.  He has worked for the New York Mets for most of their existence.  He has been a part of a lot of history and we stumbled upon him in a bit of great luck.

We were sitting in the Mets dugout during a rain delay.  We had just about given up on more interviews, when an usher mentioned Pete and brought him to us.  That conversation can be found at On the Beat with Pete Flynn.

Pete drove the Beatles to the stage for their first concert in Shea Stadium.  Forty some years later, he drove Paul McCartney to the stage for Billy Joel's "Last Play at Shea" concert to close out that ballpark.

Pictured below is a screencap of McCartney and Pete reconnecting.  Under that is a screencap of my interview with Pete.  Lastly, there is the video of McCartney joining Billy, with a segment featuring Pete reconnecting with McCartney.

 Paul McCartney and Pete Flynn in New York, NY-Summer 2008.

Pete Flynn and me in New York, NY-Summer 2009.

Cards That Never Were: Jack Concannon Topps 1972, 1973 and 1975

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series where I create virtual trading cards for players who were not given cards in particular sets.  It is a concept I have borrowed from too many others to list, but I appreciate all of them.
Jack Concannon played quarterback in the NFL from 1964 through 1975.  The first three years of his career saw Concannon get limited action with the Philadelphia Eagles.  He received a card in the 1965 Philadelphia set, but none in '66 or '67.
He joined the Chicago Bears in 1967 and stayed with the Bears through the 1971 season.  Concannon received cards in sets from 1968-1971, missing the 1972 set.
He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and spent the 1972 and '73 seasons on the practice squad.  He joined the Green Bay Packers for the 1974 season and saw some action.  He finished his career in 1975 with two passing attempts for the Detroit Lions.  Understandably, Concannon did not receive cards in any of the sets covering these years.
I could not find workable pictures of Concannon with the Eagles for the 1966 or '67 sets, but I'll keep looking.  I created a Bears card for him for the 1972 set.  I could not find any pictures of him with the Cowboys, but I "cheated" a bit and made one for the 1973 set.  I created a card of him with the Packers for the '75 set, but came up empty on his Lions season for the '76 set.
In summary, I created Concannon cards for the 1972, '73 and '75 sets.  He is still missing cards for 1966, '67 and '76.

Friendly Encounters: Drew Carey and Amanda

Friendly Encounters is a regular series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

This is one of the most unique Friendly Encounters and probably the most profitable one for a friend.  You can watch the actual meeting on YouTube at Amanda's Big Win.
I know Amanda from the Legends Football League.  She is quite an athlete and definitely an interesting person.  She is also a Game Day Host for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in her native Canada.  She recently did a Johngy promo, which you can find in the column on the left.
Last year, intending to get tickets to Ellen, she ended up with tickets for The Price Is Right.  That turned out to be a bit of good luck.
Her luck continued (or was it skill?) when she was called up on stage as a contestant.  It got even better when her bid of $1 was the winner and she advanced to play the game "Dice Game."
Spoiler alert...she won the car.  She had to roll the dice for 4 numbers.  Thanks to lucky rolls, three numbers ended up being locks.  She really only had to pick one number correctly and she did it!
Her luck continued as she advanced to the Showcase Showdown after spinning the big wheel.  That was a bit of a challenge for the 5 foot Amanda, but she used her athleticism and spun it to victory.
Her luck ended when she overbid on her showcase.  I'm pretty sure she was happy though.
Due to the tax laws, she decided to take the monetary value, instead of having to pay taxes on the vehicle.  Still, she walked away with a nice amount.
Earlier, I questioned whether getting picked was a skill.  According to Amanda, there definitely is some skill to it.  In fact, Amanda reveals her suggestions on YouTube at How To Get On The Price Is Right.
Amanda is such a fun person.  You can learn more about her at AmandaBolic.com.  Also, make sure to follow Amanda on twitter

Drew Carey and Amanda in Los Angeles, CA-October 2014.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #344 Haley Reinhart & Tom Constanten

This is a weekly series in which I attempt to combine my lifelong passion for sports trading cards with my semi-professional interest in celebrities  Today, we continue working our way alphabetically through Major League Baseball.

I loved Haley Reinhart from the moment I heard her sing.  Her version of "Creep" blows me away.  It doesn't hurt that she is a Chicago-area gal and cute as could be.  I had the pleasure of seeing her perform last year and she was awesome.  Her Celebrity Jersey Card naturally shows her belting out the National Anthem.

New Jersey-born Tom Constanten met Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead in the early 1960's and joined Lesh in that band in late 1968 as their permanent keyboardist.  Although he left the band in January of 1970, he continued playing with various other acts, including Jefferson Starship.  He is sporting #16 on his Celebrity Jersey Card.  Is that for GM Kenny Williams?  My choice would be former catcher Brian Downing.

Eugene Cresto at Flashback Weekend 2017

Who is Eugene Cresto?  Regular readers have seen him several times in Friendly Encounters with many celebrities.  The guy is everywhere meeting everyone.  I meet a ton of celebs, but Eugene has beaten me to some several times.

At the recent Flashback Weekend, Eugene pulled a big blade on me.  Perhaps I beat him to one too many celebrities?  Perhaps he wanted to take over this site (Eugene's Beat?)?

He's a good dude, often taking his two daughters with him to meet the celebrities.  (Hmm maybe he just found very cheap labor to take all of the pictures?)  If you follow him on social media, you'd see he loves his kids and they have a lot of fun together.

I always look forward to seeing Eugene at these events, even when he threatens to slit my throat.  It's always fun to see which celebs he is meeting.  Most of the time, we run parallel courses.  (Great minds thinking alike?).

Eugene might not be an "official" celebrity, but neither am I.  Still, we both get a fair amount of recognition at these events.  Maybe Eugene and I should set up our own both.  Who wouldn't want a dual-photo op with Eugene and Johngy?

Eugene Cresto and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall

Five, six, seven eight...Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!

Those words started the opening theme to Television's Laverne & Shirley.  The main title characters were reciting a Yiddish-American hopscotch chant.

Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams played those title characters.  The show ran for 8 seasons, although Williams left during the 8th season.  She was pregnant and asked for unspecified considerations, which Paramount declined.

Despite the show ranking #25 during that 8th season Paramount pulled the plus.  Marshall wanted the show production to move to New York, but Paramount declined.

I met the famous duo at a Hollywood Celebrities show and took advantage of a rare opportunity to meet both together.  Thirty-ish years after the show, both looked great.  More importantly, both were in great spirits and seemed to enjoy the day.

I talked to Williams a bit about her role in the iconic American Graffiti and I talked to Marshall about The Odd Couple and A League of Their Own.  Aside from those projects, both had fond memories of Laverne & Shirley and all of their co-stars.

I think I could have been a neighbor to the pair.  I would have been a happy medium between Carmine and Lenny and Squiggy.

Cindy Williams, Penny Marshall and me in Rosemont, IL-October 2011..

Terry Huddleston at Motor City Comic Con 2016

Terry Huddleston always stands out at Wizard World.  His booth almost seems like it's 3 dimensional, with all of the superhero faces all around.  His colorful shirts only add to the image.

Terry was one of the first artists who became a regular stop of mine at these comic cons.  His Aquaman caught my eye.  A lot of his creations are headshots of superheros, but he doesn't limit his work to just that area.  He has full body renderings, as well as characters from virtually any universe.

His Last Dragon Lego Commission featured 2 Lego characters.  I have never seen Lego creations before his.  This was especially cool.

I always think he should do wrestlers, because they would work well within his style.  Of course, there might be some image rights issues.  Actually, Terry's style could work well for a lot of concepts (like movie characters).  If you don't see a character you want, Terry does commissions at a great price.

Check out Terry;s work and keep up with all of his news by following Terry Huddleston Art on Facebook.  You can also see images of a lot of his work on the Terry Huddleston Deviant Art Page.  Of course, you can also see him at a lot of comic cons.

Terry Huddleston and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

Cards That Never Were: Bob Coluccio Topps 1978 & '79

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players who were missed in various sets over the years.  It is a concept I have borrowed from too many other talented folks, but I thank them all.

Outfielder Bob Coluccio debuted with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1973.  In the middle of the 1975 season, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox.  He was in the minors for all of 1976, but saw some action with the Sox in 1977.  The Sox released him prior to the 1978 season.  The Houston Astros signed him, but he never saw major league action for them.  He was traded midseason to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played the last five games of his career.

For his career, which included parts of five seasons, Coluccio had 241 hits, 26 homeruns, 114 rbi's, 141 runs scored and a .220 batting average.

Topps saw fit to give a card to Coluccio in their 1974-1976 sets.  When I found a couple good pictures, I was able to create cards for the 1978 and '79 sets.  The '79 card would be a career capper.  Thus, Coluccio would have a card for each year he played.  That does my heart good.

On a side note, his Cardinals hat seems to be riding high on his head.  It is almost like it was airbrushed on there, but it wasn't.

David Vox Mullen at C2E2 2017

I don't really remember exactly when I first met David Vox Mullen.  I know our paths crossed several times before I really started to know him at all.  How did a man of so many talents, especially a local guy, escape my radar?  Sometimes the biggest talent is right in front of your eyes.

Coming from a musical family, David has been entertaining professionally for most of his adult life.  He has written, produced and performed in several musicals.  He has toured with his band "The Slipstream" and he has done improv comedy on stage.  Some of his latest projects include the Windy City Rejects, a Chicago-based comedy web series, and the Comedy Shrine, where he is a resident actor/comedian.

In short, David is one busy and successful guy.  He is also one of the good guys.  He is always ready for funny banter or pictures with fans and friends (I am in both of those groups now).

You can get more info on David at DavidVoxMullen.com.  You can also follow David on twitter and check out some of his videos on YouTube.

David Vox Mullen and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Taylor Edwards and Jonathan Cimaglio

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

I met Jonathan Cimaglio at a Chicago Bandits game.  He is an avid sports fan and a big-time autograph collector.  He has a ton of autographs from the Bandits and other teams in the NPF.
He might be the closest rival to Sheri Samson in NPF signatures.  They have a bit of a friendly rivalry going.  I think in time Cimags will surpass Sheri.  I mean no disrespect to Sheri, but Cimags is more of a dedicated "grapher" than Sheri.  Still, this "battle" is fun to watch.  In the end, they are both good people and great fans.
The picture I chose to represent Cimags today is of him and Taylor Edwards, former catcher with the Bandits.  (Why not feature one of my favorite fans with one of my favorite former Bandits?).  It was great seeing Taylor again, but I'd rather have seen her in the blue of the Bandits rather than the red of the Dawgs.
Jonathan's graphing goes well beyond the NPF, too.  He has a ton of baseball signatures.  I bet he is assembling quite a mancave for himself.  It's fun to watch him grow his collection.
This is my first feature of Jonathan, but it won't be my last.  He has so many great pictures with some awesome athletes.

Jonathan Cimaglio and Taylor Edwards in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #343 Leon Durham & Scott Patterson

This is a weekly series in which I attempt to combine my lifelong passion for sports trading cards with my semi-professional interest in celebrities  Today, we continue working our way alphabetically through Major League Baseball.

Leon Durham was born in Cincinnati, OH.  He played Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals (two stints), Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.  He played Leon Alexander, a member of the Minnesota Twins, in the movie Little Big League.  That role earned him a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Scott Patterson was born in Philadelphia, PA.  He started out as a pro baseball player, but could did not reach the majors.  Instead, he started an acting carer.  Among his roles was Billy (Elaine's "sponge-worthy" date) on Seinfeld and Mike McGrevey of the Minnesota Twins and a teammate of Durham's in Little Big League.  While he never had an MLB trading card, he now has a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Christina Von Eerie "The American Nightmare"

Christina Von Eerie is also known as "The American Nightmare."  While she might be a nightmare to opponents, she is a dream to most fans.

From her debut in 2006, CVE has wrestled all over the world, including a recent stint in Global Force Wrestling/Impact Wrestling.  Mostly she can be found on the independent circuit.  That is where I first met and interviewed her.  My interview with CVE can be found at On the Beat With Christina Von Eerie.

CVE has the look, charisma and talent to make it in the WWE.  I'm not just being a biased fanboy either.  Watch any of hjer videos and you will see how good she is.

She doesn't wrestle much in the Chicago area.  Scheduling conflicts have prevented me from seeing her last few matches here.  I really want to see her in action again.

A recent development in her life was a very happy one.  CVE married Scotty Mac.  Her various social media posts were filled with happiness.  It was good to see.

Despite the wedded bliss, she is not softening.  CVE will still be herself in the ring.

I highly encourage everyone to check out her matches on YouTube or (even better) in person.  You can also follow her at CVEvil_138 on twitter.

Christina Von Eerie and me in Berwyn, IL-October 2012.

Victor Dandridge at Wizard World Columbus 2016

Over the years of covering Wizard World, I have met hundreds of creators.  While they are all very talented and friendly, there are a handful who I view as special.  Readers of my site know that Victor Dandridge is one of those special creators.

Victor is the creator-owner of Vantage: Inhouse Productions, publisher of "thought-provoking and inspiring" works.  V:IP has put out several very popular and highly-praised series, including The Samaritan.  

Dandridge and V:IP also give back to the industry.  Their U Cre-8 comics brand "aims to encourage and inspire future creators" by trying to couple comics with classroom fundamentals.

Victor is an interesting guy.  He's got a lot happening, always having some project in the works.  He's talented, funny, fan-friendly and just a good dude.  He's one of my favorite creators and I always catch up with him at his comic con appearances.

You can follow Victor and V:IP on twitter.  Also, check him out at a comic con, if you have the chance.

Victor Dandridge and me in Columbus, OH-August 2016.

On the Beat With the NPF: Jade Hewitt and Dina Kwit

National Pro Fastpitch isn't just about the players.  It is also about the many unsung heroes who help make it a wonderful experience.

Jade Hewitt is the Media Director for the Scrapyard (Houston) Dawgs and the Texas (Dallas) Charge.  She is also a photographer, videographer and runs JadeHewittMedia.com, which specializes in College Athletic Recruiting Videos.  She started Jade Hewitt Media in 2008, while still in school.  She is one talented and busy young woman.

Dina Kwit is the Team Photographer for the Chicago Bandits.  A talented and tireless fixture around the Bandits, Dina is much beloved by Bandit Nation.

I have had the pleasure of knowing and watching Dina for a few years.  It always fascinates me to be around her and watch her mind work as she finds interesting images to capture.  She has a keen eye.  You can see some of her work at OutsideTheBox.co.

Jade has facilitated a ton of media coverage for her teams.  Dina has taken thousands of pictures.  How often are either of these women on the other side of the camera?  Fortunately, I was able to appear in a rare picture with these two 

I know I speak for fans, colleagues and staffers when I extend my gratitude to both of these ladies for all they do.  The NPF is full of elite athletes on the field and dedicated individuals behind the scenes.  Check out NationalProFastpitch.com for more info on the league.

Jade Hewitt, Dina Kwit and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2017.

Cards That Never Were: Steve Fireovid Topps 1986

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players who were missing in various sets.  It is a concept I have borrowed from too many to list, but I appreciate all of them.
Pitcher Steve Fireovid was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 1978 MLB draft.  That was the start of a pro baseball journey which lasted sixteen seasons with nine organizations.
He made his MLB debut and pitched in 5 games with the Padres in 1981.  He spent '82 in the minors, but resurfaced with the Padres for three games in '83.  He pitched in six games for the 1984 Philadelphia Phillies, 4 games for the 1985 Chicago White Sox and ten games for the 1986 Seattle Mariners.  He spent a few years in the minors, before making it back to the majors for 3 games with the 1992 Texas Rangers.  He retired after spending 1993 in the minors.  Overall, he was 3-1 with a 3.39 ERA in 31 games.
For his efforts, Fireovid received one Topps card (1987) and one Fleer card (1987 shared with Rob Nelson).  I cannot argue with Topps not giving him any other cards, but I can create one for his time with the White Sox.  I did have to cheat a bit by using a picture of him with the Buffalo Bisons, but the uniform was close enough with some proper cropping.
On a related note, Fireovid authored The 26th Man: One Minor League Pitcher's Pursuit of a Dream. a book detailing his career as the guy not quite good enough to make the MLB roster.  It was an excellent book, which I highly recommend.

Friendly Encounters: George Wendt and Glen Rylko

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

I have crossed paths with Glen Rylko many times and we became friends through our times at Resistance Pro.  Glen and I have similar interests with celebrities and wrestling.
I have met hundreds of stars, but Glen has me beat on several, including George Wendt.  Glen met the legendary Chicago actor last May.
I would love to see Glen's collection.  He has posted many pieces on social media.  I love the old wrestling promo cards and the old score books.  Glen has a keen eye and an appreciation for the cool things (aka stuff I like).
As we head into the spring and convention season, I am sure I will run into Glen at several conventions.  He'll probably beat me to a few more celebs, too.  For right now, Wendt is my biggest miss from his impressive list.

George Wendt and Glen Rylko in Chicago, IL-May 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #342 Roy Scheider & J.K. Simmons

This is a weekly series in which I attempt to combine my lifelong passion for sports trading cards with my semi-professional interest in celebrities  Today, we continue working our way alphabetically through Major League Baseball.

Born in Orange, NJ, Roy Scheider was an amateur boxer, before turning to acting.  He rose to fame as Captain Martin Brody in Jaws.  His Celebrity Jersey Card comes from his role in Tiger Town, the first television film produced for the Disney Channel.  It featured Scheider as an aging member of the Detroit Tigers.  Ironically, Scheider also appeared in Paper Lion, but in an uncredited role.  Could there be a Celebrity Jersey Card of Scheider as a Lion?

Actor J.K. Simmons was born in Grosse Pointe, MI.  He was carving out a solid career, when he landed a role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, eventually appearing on three of the four series in the franchise.  Simmons is an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers and even appeared as their manager in For The Love of the Game.  He earned his Celebrity Jersey Card while throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day in 2015.  Also, he is the voice of the yellow peanut M&M on the commercials since the late 1990's,