Celebrity Jersey Cards #355 Leyla Milani & Megan Abrigo

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.  Today, we feature the two NFL expansion teams from 1995 repped by two more lovely ladies from tv's Deal Or No Deal.

Born in Canada, Leyla Milani rose to fame as the model holding case #13 on Deal Or No Deal.  She also appeared in the 2005 WWE Diva search, the 2006 Lingerie Bowl and several other tv and movie roles.  Milani is joined by DOND Castmate Kelly Brannigan on her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Megan Abrigo was born in Hawaii and started modelling at a young age.  She put her modelling career on hold to attend college, but restarted it in time to land a spot as the model with case #6 on DOND.  For her Celebrity Jersey Card, Abrigo appears with host Howie Mandel.  Leyla Milani is also partially visible.

Cards That Never Were: Bobby Douglass 1970, '76, '78 and '79 Topps

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 have borrowed from too many others to credit, but I appreciate all of their efforts.
The last time I created a card for Bobby Douglass, he was pictured with the Chicago White Sox.  It was from a short-lived attempt (publicity stunt?) at a pitching career.  Today, I am filling in some card gaps in his football career.
Drafted by the Chicago Bears out of the University of Kansas, Douglass made his NFL debut in 1969.  He remained with the Bears until being traded to the San Diego Chargers midways through the 1975 season.  He then went to the New Orleans Saints for the 1976 and '77 seasons, before finishing with the Green Bay Packers in 1978.  He tried out for the Oakland Raiders in 1978, but dId not make the team.
For his efforts, Douglass got cards from Topps in 1971-1975 and 1977.  I made a 1970 rookie card for Douglas, as well as a 1978 card with the Saints.  Those were easy.  Technically, his 1976 card should be with the Chargers and 1979 should be with the Packers, but I couldn't find pictures of Douglass with those teams.  I did find a picture of Douglass with the Raiders and used that as a "what if" card.

Sheryl Steines at Lit Fest Chicago 2017

It's hard to believe I first met and interviewed author Sheryl Steines at Wizard World over 6 years ago.  That interview can be found at On the Beat With Sheryl Steines.

Sheryl's first book, The Day of First Sun, had been published about a year prior and she was doing book promotion.  The story features a magical murder of a non-magical princess.  I admit, it really wasn't my usual choice for reading, but it sounded unique, the reviews were good and Sheryl showed so much passion for it.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Day of First Sun.  It delivered as advertised.  It was interesting and unique.  It was like a fantasy detective novel.  It balanced everything and kept me engrossed and not wanting to put it down.  I couldn't wait to finish it, but I didn't want it to end.  I was comforted thinking this would only be the first book in a series.

I followed Sheryl's progress via social media and her website.  A couple years later, I saw a special post on her site.  She discussed another book, Introvert to Sales Goddess.  Her explanation is open, honest and appealed to my inner introvert.  Despite being totally intrigued, somehow I never got around to buying that book.  I will get that book.

At last summer's Lit Fest, I did pick up the much-anticipated follow-up to The Day of First Sun. which is Black Market (The Wizard Hall Chronicles Book 2).  FBI Special Agent Jack Ramsey once again pulls Annie Pearce into a magical mystery.  I intentionally went slow with this one, to make it last.  It took me a few weeks, but I always looked forward to coming home and jumping back into the magical world Sheryl created.

I highly encourage everyone to check out Sheryl at SherylSteines.com.  Along with info on her books, she updates it regularly.  It is a regular stop during my websurfing.

Aside from being a talented, passionate and hard-working author, Sheryl is a real sweetheart.  She has always made time to talk to me when we meet at various events.  I do my best to promote creative folks like Sheryl, because they deserve more eyes on their work and publishing is so difficult these days.  I also like to spread the word so more people can enjoy the tales she weaves.  I have no doubt you will enjoy her work as much as I do.

Sheryl Steines and me in Chicago, IL-June 2017.

Joel Hodgson at Wizard World Chicago 2014

Joel Hodgson is a writer, comedian and actor, probably best known for creating Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K).  He also starred in it as Joel Robinson.

I loved MTS3K.  It was such a unique concept for a show.  Hodgson (and his successors) are taken and held captive aboard a spaceship and forced to watch bad movies to see which will drive him insane.  To fend off insanity and because misery loves company, he built some robots to join him in the movie watching.  Of course, Hodgson and the bots make wisecracks and witty comments throughout.

At Wizard World a few years back, I had the pleasure of meeting Hodgson and the extra thrill of meeting Sir Thomas Serveaux (Tom Servo), one of the robots from MST3K.

Hodgson was one of the most under-the-radar guests there, but one of the most popular.  MST3K has a loyal and large following.

Hodgson was really cool.  He talked about his creation and the development of MST3K, leaving the show, the continued popularity and more.  I asked him about a new version of the show and he said things were in the works, but it was too soon to really know if it would happen.  I figured it was a standard answer.  Lots of projects are visited, but don't actually happen.  In this case, it did happen.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Return is now on Netflix.  Coincidentally, my friend Zach Thompson is on the series.  I'll have more on that in the future here.

Joel Hodgson, Sir Thomas Serveaux and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2014.

Billy Corgan and Me

I liked the Smashing Pumpkins, but I was not a huge fan.  Of course, I respected what they accomplished.

When I got involved with Resistance Pro Wrestling, it was not because of Billy Corgan.  Honestly, I didn't even realize he was involved.  I liked the concept of getting on board from the start of the company and I really liked what I saw from Jacques and Gabe Baron.

The story of Billy and RPro has been well-documented.  It didn't end well.  Billy's departure didn't change the way I felt about RPro.

I didn't have anything bad to say about Billy then and I don't have anything bad to say now.  Billy treated me fine during our time together at RPro.  I am grateful for those times, including being on stage with the Smashing Pumpkins at Ravinia.

The ending also had some residual effects, including the departure of many RPro "diehards."  I have lost contact with most of the dearly departed.  I didn't understand it then and I do not understand it now.  I don't know why choices had to be made.

I have had friends work for competitors in the past.  Why was this any different?  Actually, it shouldn't even be compared.  We weren't working for competitors.  There was no competition.  There was a falling out of sorts and some people made others pick sides.  I didn't pick a side back then.  I syaed where I wanted to be.  I felt no animosity towards them or Billy.

Now years later, it is all still very weird and pointless.  Friends are friends and that goes deeper than work affiliations.

In the end, life goes on for all of us.  I'm not bitter or angry.  I'm a bit sad at how things developed, but there are much worse disappointments in life.

I had a good time with Billy.  I had some great experiences with Billy and I will always be thankful and look back fondly on those times.  The end and aftermath might not be pretty, but doesn't erase the good times.

Billy Corgan and me in Chicago, IL-February 2013.

Brian Pulido at C2E2 2016

Brian Pulido is a writer, creator and publisher of comic books.  His main area of focus is the horror genre, an interest he picked up as a child after watching Night of the Living Dead.

Among Pulido's many talents is directing music videos.  You can see his directorial work on Calabrese "Voices of the Dead" and Sixstitch "Valentine" on YouTube.

Pulido is firmly entrenched in the horror community for several reasons, one of which is The Graves, a personal favorite of mine.  The 2009 horror flick costarred Amanda Wyss, Bill Moseley and Tony Todd (all of whom are horror con regulars).  I loved this movie long before I even knew Pulido or that he wrote and directed (and even starred) in it.

Along with all of these accomplishments, his comics creations have sold millions around the world.  As expected, his comics are edgy, horror-filled, colorful adventures.

Pulido can be found at many comic cons, where his works are displayed.  You can get more info on him at BrianPulido.com.  There are links on his site to his projects, including movies, writing and comics.  He is also active at Brian Pulido on twitter

Brian Pulido and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Loni Anderson and Jack Keenan

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

Today, I feature my Ace Photographer Jack Keenan with actress Loni Anderson at Wizard World Chicago last year.

Loni looked absolutely fantastic, especially for being 71.  Jack looked ok, too, but he's nowhere near 71.

Better yet, Loni was very gracious and fan friendly.  We talked about her time on television's WKRP in Cincinnati, as well as other roles she has had, such as her first role, acting in Nevada Smith with Steve McQueen.

Loni has been a spokesperson for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).  She has also worked to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, which her daughter battles.

As usual, Jack did awesome camera work at Wizard World.  For a rare instance, he also went on the other side of the lens for this picture with Loni.  Smart move, Jack!

Loni Anderson and Jack Keenan in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #354 Danielle Fishel & Lindsay Ell

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.  Today, I show love to the Texas teams.

Danielle Fishel was born in Mesa, AZ and rose to fame as Topanga on tv's Boy Meets World.  Fishel has remained active directing, acting and doing voiceover work.  She also reprised her role as Topanga for Girl Meets World.  For her last Celebrity Jersey Card, Fishel flexed her muscle while modeling a Chicago Bears jersey, but today she is sporting the blue and silver of the Dallas Cowboys.  Fishel would be in my top ten of hopefuls for a future comic con and I am very confident I am not the only one hoping for that.

Musician Lindsay Ell was born in Calgary, but she is not wearing a Canadian Football League team jersey for her Celebrity Jersey Card.  Instead, she sports a Houston Texans jersey, despite now residing in Nashville, TN.  She is very versatile, as shown by her ability to play piano, guitar, mandolin, ukulele and other instruments.

Johngy and The Brain

Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan is a wrestling lifer. Heenan has done it all and seen it all in his 40+ years in the wrestling business. His passion for the sport made him a solid wrestler. His verbal skills made him a great mouthpiece for wrestlers during his years managing. His quick wit made him a treat when he was a broadcaster. His love for his wife of 30+ years, his adult daughter and the fans make him a really special person.
Heenan has written 2 books, Bobby the Brain:Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All and Chair Shots and Other Obstacles:Winning Life's Wrestling Matches. Filled with Heenan's humor, warmth and knowledge, these books are real winners!
Heenan has suffered from throat cancer and some dental issues over the last few years. I am happy to say that all of these problems seem to be behind him and he is well on the road to a full recovery.

I had the honor of meeting Heenan for the first time in Las Vegas. I asked him if I could take a picture of him. He and his wife immediately volunteered to include me in the picture with Mrs. Heenan taking the shot. Now that is above and beyond being fan-friendly.
Unfortunately, Heenan recently passed away after years of health issues.  He didn't let it all get him down though.  His spirit and "brain" were just as lively as ever!  RIP Brain.

Bobby Heenan and me in Las Vegas, NV-early 00's.

Jenny McCarthy and Blondie's By Jenny

Jenny McCarthy had been on my list of celebrities I want to meet for a long time.  Technically, I met her at the NFL Draft in Chicago a couple years ago, but was unable to get a picture with her.  Recently, I had the opportunity to finally get that picture with her and it was well worth the wait.

Jenny has been out promoting Blondies By Jenny, a vodka lemonade drink.  I met her the first time at Binny's in Highland Park.  It was so much fun and Blondies was so good, I met her again the next week in North Riverside and the next week at Jewel in Saint Charles.

First, let me praise Blondies a bit.  Available in strawberry lemonade and lemonade flavors, Blondies has no artificial flavors, no dyes and no sugar added.  Both flavors were excellent, but the strawberry lemonade is my favorite and seemed to have a slight edge in the tasting at the stores.

Jenny was great at the tastings.  She cheerfully greeted everyone and made a real effort to make sure each encounter was as special as could be within the confines of the situation.  She also signed a lot of other stuff, as well as the bottles of Blondies.  By the third time, we were like old friends.  I wasn't the only repeat attendee and Jenny recognized us each time.

At the first event, I thanked Jenny for appearing in the literacy ad series (Jenny McCarthy Salutes Literacy) I ran while at Lerner Newspapers in the early 2000's.  She was one of the biggest names we had and her ad was the most popular one.  Of course, I had her sign a copy of that ad.

The last time, I mentioned that I liked putting Blondies in a blender with ice and strawberries to make a delicious frozen drink.  Jenny liked the idea and even mentioned it on twitter.

It's funny because after wanting to really meet her for so long, I saw her three straight weeks.  The Blondies tour is done in this area for the year, but there should be at least one more event here in early 2018.  You know if at all possible, I will be there.

In addition to picking up a great vodka, these events are a great opportunity to meet Jenny.  As a veteran of hundreds of comic cons and celebrity appearances, I can tell you that Jenny would be a hugely popular guest at any of them.  Her line would be among the longest and she could charge much more that the cost of Blondies.

Thank you to Jenny for a great drink, for a lot of fun and for being very sweet.  I hope to see her again in 2018.

Check out BlondiesCocktails.com for more info.  You can also follow Blondies by Jenny on Facebook and Blondies by Jenny on twitter.

Jenny McCarthy and me in St. Charles, IL-December 2017.

Happy Birthday Jim!

Today I celebrate the birthday of the other Gekas brother.  Jim is Chuck's younger brother, although someone once referred to Jim as Chuck's son.  Jim is also one of my closest friends.
Jimmy is one of the nicest people on this planet.  The guy has put up with me for over 20 years.  Seriously, wherever we go, Jim will inevitably make friends with several people within minutes.
We have been across this country on several trips. as well as having great times just at simple lunches at the Village Inn (where my picture hangs disturbingly over us as Jim eats his ahi sandwich).  It's always a good time with Jim, whether we are comparing obscure ballplayers of the 70's or I am tricking him into defending a failed Bears player.
Jim is like a brother and I consider myself lucky to count him as a friend.
Happy birthday Jimmy.  Today, I raise a toast to you!

Jim Gekas in Toronto, Canada-June 2012.

Mike Pankow at Wizard World Chicago 2017

I've know Mike Pankow for many years.  Despite the fact he is a grad of St. laurence High School, I still think he's a good guy.  (Just joking...high school rivalries didn't even mean much to me when I was in high school, let alone 35 years later).

Mike is a Sports Copy Editor at the Chicago Tribune.  Anyone who is surviving in the print industry these days earns my respect.  Mike i also the Social Media Coordinator at The Hockey Cup.  Over the years, he has held many positions in print and online media.  He's a talented and genuinely good guy.

Occasionally our paths cross professionally.  Such was the case at the Wizard World convention in Chicago a few months ago.  I don't see how Wizard World fits into the world of sports covered by the Trib, but maybe he was pulling double duty as their Entertainment Correspondent.  Hey, whatever works.  In either case, Mike was present and having fun, as was I.

Mike gets extra points for wearing a Squared Circle tshirt.  The Squared Circle was the restaurant owned and operated by wrestling legend Lisa Marie Varon.  I loved and miss that place.

Wizard World is such a great convention.  Not only do you meet a bunch of interesting celebrities and artists, but you also reconnect with friends you don't see often enough.  

Mike Pankow and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Alexa Bliss and John Dean

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

I'm not even sure when or where I met John Deann.  I could guess it was a wrestling event or a comic con several years ago.  He's a good dude.

At Wizard World Chicago 2017, he met WWE superstar Alexa Bliss.  In her four year career, Bliss has already won a WWE Women's title four times.  Even though titles do not mean as much as they once did, she is still off to an impressive start.  The question is how long will she wrestle?  

Wrestles, especially women wrestlers in the WWE don't seem to stay around for long careers (or at least as full-timers).  There are just so many other opportunities out there, once they make a name for themselves.

Right now, B;iss is one of the most successful and most popular women wrestlers in the world.  Will I still think that in even 3 years?  That's not meant as a criticism.  It's just how it is.

While I have met a lot of wrestlers, I have not met Bliss yet.  Scheduling constraints prevented me from meeting her at Wizard World.  Fortunately, John did not have that problem and he met Bliss.

From John's report and from many others, Bliss was extremely nice.  Within the confines of professional photo ops, there is only so much the celeb can do.  From every report I saw, Bliss was just awesome.  That's always good to hear.  Obviously, these events are money-makers, but it's nice to see they aren't just money-grabs for the celebrities.

I usually like to wait a few years to see if the wrestler stays around.  I might have to make an exception to that policy the next time Bliss comes to a Wizard World.

Alexa Bliss and John Dean in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Happy Birthday Dave!

Today I celebrate the birthday of Dave, my brother-in-law, actor, insurance analyzer, Domino's pizza lover and more.  It's an odd combination, but it works for him.

Oh sure, I needle him about his professed preference of Domino's pizza above all else, but I respect his bravado in making and keeping that stance.  I often say that he might be the only person over 25 who would make that claim.  That makes him unique!

Regardless of his apparent lack of taste pizza-wise, Dave is a good guy.  Both of my sisters married good guys and I am lucky to have both of my BIL's.

Dave has helped me a lot over the years and I really appreciate all he's done, especially putting up with me and not pulling out his hair.

Today, I raise a toast to Dave.  I am sure he is celebrating somewhere with Nancy (oh please, not with a Domino's pizza) and I join them from afar!  Happy birthday Dave!

Dave and Nancy Blais in Lemont, IL-September 2017.

Daniel Hogan at Motor City Comic Con 2016

Daniel J. Hogan is a Michigan-based cartoonist and writer.  I met Daniel at the Motor City Comic Con in 2016, where I saw a lot of his awesome creations.

In 2007, he published his first novel, The Magic of Eyri.  It is described as madcap fantasy satire, featuring comedy, action and more.

He is also the creator of Foxes & Boxes, an all ages fantasy series.  Summarizing Daniel, Foxes & Boxes is about two adventurers, who are for hire.  They can do any job, just not well.  It's very entertaining and can be found on Clattertron.com.  It's updated regularly with news, comics and more, including shirts, prints and other cool stuff to purchase.

His artwork and characters are colorful and fun.  His writing is entertaining.  His overall line of products are enjoyed by all ages.

Aside from Clattertron.com, you can also keep up with Daniel on Facebook and Daniel on twitter.  You can also get exclusive content on Daniel's Patreon page.

Daniel Hogan and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #353 Kelly Brannigan & Lindsay Clubine

This is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys.  Today, I highlight the woeful Ohio teams, modeled by a couple lovely ladies from Deal or No Deal.

A native of California, Kelly Brannigan first appeared on Deal or No Deal as a sub for Aubrie Lemon, who held briefcase #23.  She soon moved to $24 as the permanent model there.  I am assuming it is just a weird camera angle, which put her next to case #26 for her Celebrity Jersey Card.  Brannigan sang opera in high school and she has started to add acting credits to her resume.

Deal or No Deal's model #26, Lindsay Clubine was born in Kansas City, MO.  She modeled and also hosted Get Out, a travel destination show.  She is married to MLB pitcher Clay Buchholz, but for her Celebrity Jersey Card, she is pictured with former NFL star Rod Woodson.

I Miss Terri Runnels

Terri Runnels had a successful run in pro wrestling basically from 1990 to 2004.  She has made convention and show appearances since then.

Terri was one of the first celebrities to refer to me as "Jay Leno."  In fact, at the Motor City Comic Con many years ago, she greeted me with that, much to the dismay of the Honkytonk Man who thought he was the first.  She also has done a Johngy's Beat promo (see left column) and has worn the Johngy shirt.  I was already a fan of hers, but all of this made me appreciate her even more.

Those of you who have met Terri know she is a real sweetheart.  If you haven't met her yet, she is doing a bunch of appearances.  You can find out her schedule at TerriRunnels.com.  You can also learn more about her, see her merchandise and find other fun stuff.

I haven't seen Terri in a few years.  I am way overdue.  Hopefully, 2018 will change that.

Terri Runnels and me in Oaks, PA-October 2010.

Scott Hanna at Motor City Comic Con 2016

Scott Hanna has been drawing and inking comics for over 30 years.  On ComicBookDB.com, it states that he has inked over 21,000 pages of comics.  That not only qualifies him to be called a Specialist, I'm pretty certain it earns him Legend status.

He has picked up his share of hardware, too.  He is a multiple winner of the Most Adaptable Inker Award, the Props Award and the Favorite Inker Award, while winning other awards along the way.  His inking magic has appeared in comics including Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man and virtually every other big name Marvel comic.

Part of the fun of comic cons is walking through Artist Alley and seeing these masters creating magic before our eyes.  I always get mesmerized by their talents.  I literally stood and watched Hanna in action for a solid 15 minutes.  Fortunately, he knew I was part of the media and not just some oddball creeper.

You can see a lot of his work and get updates on him on the Scott Hanna Facebook page.  I'm sure you'll be as impressed as I am.

Scott Hanna and me in Novi, MI-May 2016.

Joey Fatone at REWind Con 2016

Joey Fatone rose to fame as a member of NSYNC.  I have to admit I am not very familiar with the music of that boy band.  They were pretty good from the little I have heard, but I was a bit too old to really get into them at the time.  I do recognize their success though.
None of that prevented me from wanting to meet him at REWind Con last year.  He was appearing with his NSYNC mates in the nostalgia-filled convention.
Fatone seemed to be having as much fun as his fans were.  I might have had to push my way through a few excited females to have my moment with Fatone, but I did what a good reporter needs to do.
Of course, I had to ask him about his announcing duties on The Family Feud.  Does that show my age?  I just figured everyone was asking him about his boy band days and I would change it a bit.  Fatone said it is a great gig.  Actually, I think Fatone appreciated the change in subject matter.
We also talked about his appearances on Dancing With the Stars and Total NonStop Action Wrestling.  He talked fondly of both.  I got the feeling he would have liked to get a little more involved in the wrestling show, but isn't that every boy's dream?
Fatone was a great guest and I hope he does more celebrity conventions.  With no disrespect to them, Fatone doesn't need to be with his NSYNC crew to draw a crowd.  It was cool to see them together again, but he has done enough outside of NSYNC, too.

Joey Fatone and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Terence Muncy at Dark History Con

One of my favorite guests at Dark History and Horror Convention (and any con) is Terence Muncy.  It's always fun reconnecting with Terence, seeing his new creations and hearing of his latest projects.

He is a comic book artist and so much more.  He has designed many tshirts for various bands and others.  He is also a writer, director, special effects guy and on and on.  The guy does it all and does it well.

You can get a glimpse of his artwork behind us in the photo.  Bold, colorful, lively creations decorate his booth.  Be prepared to stick around for a while at his booth.  It definitely draws in the viewer with all of the artwork.  He is also entertaining just in himself.

I look forward to seeing Terence and all of the other great guests at the Dark History and Horror Con.  I hope I also see many of my regular friends in attendance.

Terence Muncy and me in Champaign, IL-September 2015.

Friendly Encounters: Gapper and Eugene Cresto

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

Darn that Eugene Cresto (again!).  I am continually trying to keep up with the celebrities he has met.  This last summer, he added Gapper, one of the Reds' mascots, to that always-growing list.
Gapper has been on the scene since he was named via a contest at Redsfest in 2002.  He is one of four mascots for the Reds.  The others are Mr. Red (their first mascot), Rosie Red and Mr. Redlegs.  Four mascots seem like a lot for one team, but I'm a mascot fan and okay with it.  Obviously Eugene is okay with it, too.
As I have written previously, I don't know how he does it, but Eugene seems to be everywhere.  Of course, he also has said that about me.
He's a good guy, often accompanied by his crew or his little girls.  They are a fun bunch and we have crossed paths many times at different events.
I don't recall seeing him with any mascots before this.  Is he now expanding his focus to include these furry creatures?
I'm going to keep an eye on him and see who he meets next.  I'm sure it will be someone cool.  If we ever truly teamed up, we could probably take over the world.

Gapper and Eugene Cresto in Cincinnati, OH-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #352 Amanda & Carla Kosak

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.  With the Legends Football League having tryouts this month, I am featuring two LFL stars.

One of Canada's finest athletes (and people), Amanda is a versatile talent on and off the field.  She has competes as a sprinter, as a Bobsled and Skeleton athlete, as a running back in the LFL and more.  She currently is the Game Day host for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  She has played for the Atlanta Steam and the Los Angeles Temptation, but for her Celebrity Jersey Card, Amanda appears in a Roughriders jersey (of course) while performing one of her hosting duties.  Check out AmandaBolic.com for more info on her and the Johngy's Beat promo video in the left column here for some fun.

I met Carla Kosak when she first tried out for the Chicago Bliss.  My interview with her at practice is at On the Beat With Carla Kosak.  She, too, has taken her talents to several fields.  You can find her song "I Don't Want Your Man" on YouTube.  Carla has played wide receiver for one season with the Chicago Bliss and one with the Omaha Heart, but for her Celebrity Jersey Card, she is repping the New England Patriots, her favorite NFL team.

Happy Birthday Chuck!

It's hard to believe I have been friends with Chuck for over 20 years.  Technically, I met him about 35 years ago, but that's another story.

When Chuck re-entered my life by joining Lerner Newspapers, he had a (long suffering) wife (that's a long-running joke) and three teenage daughters.  Now, he has the same (longer suffering) wife and three grown daughters, 3 son-in-laws and 5 beautiful grandchildren.  Throughout it all, Chuck has remained basically the same great guy.

He's got a quick, sharp wit, which he will unleash on you in a split second, but he is also one of the nicest people on this planet.  He's one of the funniest people I know, but in a subtle sort of way usually.

How do you tell someone that they have been a great addition to your life?  How do you thank that person for being a friend, mentor, brother, advisor (occasional tormentor) and more?  Knowing Chuck has made me a better person (and as he would say, I needed some bettering).  If there was a Hall of Fame for friends, Chuck would be a first ballot selection.

Happy birthday, buddy!  I hope it is a great day!

Chuck Gekas, Anthony Gattuso and me in Evanston, IL-September 2017.

Lori Petty and A League of Their Own

A League of Their Own is one of my all time favorite movies.  It had humor, baseball, love and Lori Petty!

Very near the end of the movie, in a big scene, Petty's character Kit slides into home plate in as Dottie, her sister the catcher (Geena Davis), drops the ball.  There has been a debate raging ever since.

Did Dottie drop the ball on purpose to let Kit have this one?  Did Kit's aggressive play cause Dottie to drop the ball?  I actually like the mystery.  I think it adds to the mystique of the movie.

I always felt that Kit caused Dottie to lose the ball.  I think the story was going in the direction that Kit was becoming the better player and Dottie was heading towards retirement and family life.

At a Hollywood Celebrities Show, I had the chance to ask Petty for her thoughts.  While she admits it was never clearly declared, she feels Dottie did not drop the ball intentionally.  They were too competitive to do that.  She also feels it was a bit of the torch being passed as Kit would continue playing, while Dottie settled down.  I think Petty enjoys the debate, too.

The interesting part of the debate is that both actresses would probably say the same thing.  Even their characters would say the same thing.  The only ones who might say different would be the writers and producers.

Petty's performance is one of the underrated gems in the movie.  As the spunky little sister, she was an interesting counterpoint to the veteran star.  Their conflict throughout the movie was poignant and the play at the plate was the perfect climax.

After that big scene, the final scene is many years after that as the ladies are part of an exhibit at the Hall of Fame.  It is emotional and moving and once again, the sisters play a big part.

I just loved this movie start to finish.  I think I expressed my opinion to Petty without coming off as a big goof, but I might have crossed that line.  She was very gracious and seemed appreciative of my praise.

ALoTO is only one of many great projects for Petty.  More recently, she is probably better known for being on Orange Is The New Black.

Lori Petty and me in Rosemont, IL-Spring 2015.

Chazz Moretti

Chazz Moretti has been a fixture on the Chicago-area wrestling scene for many years.  The agent to the stars has been cheered and jeered, but never ignored by the fans all over this area.

I was a fan of his work from the first time I saw him in action.  Some wrestling personalities just have that "it" factor.  Chazz is one of those.  His quick wit and willingness to get in the mix of the action, accompanied by his one-of-a-kind jackets make him a standout, among colorful characters.

In an era when managers are mostly gone from the wrestling scene, Chazz is a throwback to the Hall of Fame managers of the past, like Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jim Cornette, Jimmy Hart and Paul Ellering.  Chazz's ringside presence adds to the show, without distracting from his clientele.  He has guided many talents to the gold and he continues to make the Moretti Agency the most powerful group in wrestling.

Currently, Chazz has the Moretti Agency firmly entrenched at Global Pro Wrestling in Midlothian, IL, Chicago Style Wrestling in Chicago and ARW Pro Wrestling in northwest Indiana.  Of course, you should also follow Chazz Moretti on Facebook.

You might love him or you might hate him, but you'll always be entertained by him.  If you are lucky enough to be friends with him, you'll also see he's actually a nice guy (but don't tell him I said that).

Chazz Moretti and me in Chicago, IL-August 2017.

Steven Walden at The National 2017

I had a blast at The National 2017.  One of the highlights was coming across artist Steven Walden.  As I roamed the convention floor, the Steven Walden Art booth really caught my eye.

His creations are so vibrant.  His subjects include the four major sports, as well as comics and pop culture.  He has some awesome paintings of the Rat Pack, superheroes (where's Aquaman?) and more, including a beautiful Statue of Liberty.  I love that he has a few versions of Batman (including the Adam West one).

On the sports end, he has a lot of St. Louis Cardinals, but I won't hold that against him, because they are incredible.  At least I saw some Chicago Cubs among his works.  I'm giving him a hard time about his Cardinals love and his lack of Aquaman, but I seriously loved his works.  His painting of the Busch Stadium Winter Classic is almost breathtaking (seriously).

He uses bold and rich colors.  The paintings are alive.  I think he would do an interesting job with pro wrestling, considering the already colorful characters.  I'd also like to see his take on The Johngy.

Steven's subjects and style were much different than the usual art I see at comic cons.  I'm happy that I got exposed to his work at The National.

You can check out a lot of his painting at StevenWaldenArt.com or follow Steven Walden Art on Facebook.

Steven Walden and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Doug Savant at REWind Con 2016

Doug Savant has had a successful and interesting acting career.  One of his earliest roles was on tv's Knots Landing, where he played a young version of main character Mac (Kevin Dobson).  Later, on Melrose Place, he portrayed Matt, one of the first openly gay characters.

He also had a role for many years on Desperate Housewives.  He originally was a recurring character, but viewer response was so great that he became a regular in the second season.

Savant is not gay (not that there is anything wrong with that).  In fact, he is currently married to former Melrose Place co-star Laura Leighton.

I talked to him about all of this when I met him at REWind Con last year.  He loved his time portraying Matt on MP, as it was an interesting, ground-breaking and historically important character.  Unfortunately, his scenes were too often highly censored.  While it did take some of the shine off the role, the significance cannot be denied.  I applaud Savant for tackling that role in a less-accepting time.

Savant was very cool at the convention.  He doesn't do many of them and he seemed genuinely happy to be there.

I've previously written about the demise of REWind Con.  I still think there is a void there that some convention organizer can fill.  The celebrity guest roster was unique, featuring a lot of television soap opera actors..  It drew a good crowd and everyone had a great time.There's no reason why these type of celebrities couldn't be incorporated into other cons.

Doug Savant and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Deonte Thompson and C Red

I don't think I am revealing any major secret by talking about C Red's "other" life.  It's well known around here and he freely talks about both parts of his life.

C Red is a teacher on the south side of Chicago.  He is dedicated and passionate about his job and his calling.  It's heart-warming to see him work so tenderly with these students after seeing the showy, bombastic performer in the wrestling world.

Every year, C Red organizes a wrestling show at the school.  I have been at several of these shows and I will continue to do whatever I can to help at these shows.  It s the least I can do and I am proud to be a small part of the day.

C Red is the true hero though.  Wrestlers and helpers join the cause because we loved C Red and we respect what he does (in both worlds).  The students absolutley love these shows.  Seeing their eyes and hearing their cheers is really one of the highlights of my year.

There are also other events at the school.  It's not unusual to see celebrities or athletes visiting there.  Such was the case when Deonte Thompson of the Chicago Bears appeared there for an event.

I meet a lot of celebrities, who are role models for youngsters.  With no disrespect to any of them, there is no better role model than C Red.

Deonte Thompson and Sean Young in Chicago, IL-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #351 Anya Monzikova & Patricia Kara

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.  Today, I feature my two favorite models from Deal Or No Deal, who wore jerseys for a special football edition of the show.

Born in the Soviet Union, Anya Monzikova moved to Florida as a youngster.  She moved again to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment.  In 2006, she joined Deal Or No Deal as the model holding case #10.  For her Celebrity Jersey Card, she wore her familiar #10 on a Buffalo Bills jersey.  She is flanked by #15 Brooke Long and #26 Lindsay Clubine (the more, the merrier!).  Anya has also been pursuing an acting career and is building a solid resume of acting credits.  She is also on my Top 20 list of celebs I want to meet.

Patricia Kara was born in Chicago, IL and did some model work and acting before landing on Deal Or No Deal as the holder of case #9.  Patricia is repping the Texans and is flanked by #5 Ursula Mayes for her Celebrity Jersey Card.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Patricia years ago at Wizard World and she was a real sweetheart.

Phil Esposito at The National 2017

Tony Esposito was one of the first hockey players I ever remember.  I soon learned he had a brother Phil, who actually played for my beloved Chicago Blackhawks, but prior to Tony.  Phil was traded to Boston after the 1966-67 season  Tony was traded to Chicago for the 1969-70 season.  Both went on to have Hall of Fame careers.

Phil really blossomed with the Bruins and played with them until being traded to the New York Rangers in the 1975-76 season.  He retired after the 1980-21 season, having been a 10 time All-Star.  He won the Art Ross trophy (Most points) 5 times, the Hart Memorial trophy (MVP) twice and the Ted Lindsay (most outstanding player) trophy twice.

With all of those awards, what was the topic of our conversation at The National earlier this year?  We talked about our eyes.  We were both wearing shaded lenses and Phil asked if I wanted a pic without the glasses.  I declined and that sent us into a chat on eye sight, surgery and light sensitivity.  It was an unusual conversation and it was unusually long for this situation, but I enjoyed my time with Phil.

Phil was like a cool Italian uncle.  When I first approached him, he asked for my name and he immediately started calling me "Johnny."

He was a total class act in his career and now.  It was a real pleasure meeting and talking to him.

Phil Esposito and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Tracy Reiner at the Hollywood Celebrities Show

A League of Their Own is one of my all-time favorite movies.  The fictional story of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League starred  Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell and many others.  It was directed by Penny Marshall.

Tracy Reiner starred as Betty "Spaghetti" Horn (#7, left field/relief pitcher) for the Rockford Peaches.  Tracy is Penny's daughter and Rob Reiner's adopted daughter.  Tracy has had a lengthy career, appearing in movies such as Pretty Woman, Beaches, Apollo 13 and many others.

I met Tracy at a Hollywood Celebrities Show a few years ago.  There was a mini-reunion of A League of Their Own..  It was cool to see several of the ladies together again.  They all had such fond memories of that movie.

Tracy enjoyed working under her mother's direction, as well as working with so many other talented actors.  She enjoyed the baseball scenes, too, but did admit they were hard work.

As a side note, Tracy's acting career started during her teenage years.  Tracy appeared on tv's Laverne & Shirley three times in three different roles.

Tracy Reiner and me in Rosemont, IL-Spring 2015.