Road Warrior Animal at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VI

Joe Laurinaitis rose to fame (along with Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand) as "Animal" of the Road Warriors tag team.  The Road Warriors were one of the most successful and popular teams in wrestling.  Unfortunately, Hawk passed away in 2003, but Animal still carries on the legacy of this great team.

I've met Laurinaitis several times.  The first time, he was promoting his book, The Road Warriors: Danger, Death and the Rush of Wrestling.  I think it was one of the better wrestling biographies.

A couple years ago, Jason and I traveled to Fort Wayne, IN to Heroes and Legends Fan Fest with Laurinaitis as one of the biggest draws.  Face-painted as usual, Animal did not disappoint.  He had his trademark shoulder pads available for photo ops.  We talked a bit about his son James, who had just signed with the New Orleans Saints.  We all agreed that we were hoping he would join the Chicago Bears.

Laurinaitis is just one of many great wrestling guests brought in by Jayson Maples for Heroes and Legends.  Some are simply there to pose and sign autographs, but some step in the squared circle, too.  It all adds up to a great day of wrestling nostalgia and action.

Scheduling and distance have prevented me from attending more Heroes and Legends events, but my desire is there.  I hope to make it out there more often in 2018.  Jayson is a great guy and he puts on excellent events.

The next Heroes and Legends event is scheduled for Saturday, April 21.  Check out HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com for all of the info.

Jason Fleigel, me and Road Warrior Animal in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

Chyna at Blizzard Brawl 2015

Joanie Laurer died about 2 years ago.  At 46, she waqs way too young, but she was deeply troubled.

Originally bursting onto the wrestling scene as a dominant force in 1997 as Chyna, she was unlike anything seen in a ring.  She started as a bodyguard for DX, but soon began wrestling.  She won the Woman's title once, but she also wrestled men, winning the Intercontinental title twice.  She was also in a relationship with Triple H, who would eventually marry Stephanie McMahon.

After leaving the WWE, Laurer dealt with a lot of issues.  Substance abuse and relationship problems plagued her.  She died in 2016 from a combination of alcohol, painkillers, anxiety medication and sleeping pills.  It was ruled an accident.

I've written several times about how great she was in my dealings with her.  Back when I was running a literacy program at Lerner Newspapers, Laurer contributed several autographed pictures and cd's.  She offered to send more whenever needed.  It was especially nice, because she was near the peak of her career in the WWE at the time, yet she gave so much stuff to the program.  When I met her a couple years later, I thanked her and she greeted me warmly.  From then on, she remembered me and was just a real sweetheart.

She just seemed like a sad soul to me.  She was kind of used and then forgotten in the wrestling business.  More importantly, she seemed forgotten in life.  I was happy that promoters like David Herro brought her in for appearances.  Hopefully, she felt the love of the fans at these events.  She always seemed happy there.

Laurer isn't in the WWE Hall of Fame yet, but I hope she makes it someday.  I know the WWE HOF isn't a real entity, but I'd like to see Laurer get some recognition anyway.

Chyna and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2015.

Friendly Encounters: Rosie Red and Eugene Cresto

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

Rosie Red debuted as the newest mascot of the Cincinnati Reds in August of 2008.  The Reds created an interesting Rosie Red biography on their site.

Mr. Red was the first mascot of the team, but he was retired in 2007.  Gapper and Mr. Redlegs took over at that point and were later joined by Rosie.  Rosie was named in honor of the Rosie Reds, a group that supports the team.

Rosie is one of the few female mascots in pro sports, but like the others, she is a counterpart to male mascots.  I don't think there is a main mascot of the female gender.

My bud Eugene usually meets celebrities on a regular basis, often beating me to the punch.  Last summer, he went to Cincinnati and took a picture with Rosie.  Now he's doing mascots?!!

I need to keep a closer eye on Eugene.  I have to learn his secrets.  How does he get around so much and meet so many cool people (or people dressed in odd team-related costumes)?

We always joke that when we see each other, we know it  is a big event.  That happens several times a year at various comic cons.  We'll usually end up meeting most of the same celebs, with a few different ones.  I always look forward to seeing Eugene or the new celebs he's met (even though I am sometimes envious!).

Rosie Red and Eugene Cresto in Cincinnati, OH-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #363 The Brooklyn Brawler & The Big Show

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.  Even though the Chicago Bulls are scuffling, I should feature some basketball Celebrity Jersey Cards.

Retired pro wrestler Steve Lombardi was born in Brooklyn, NY, despite reports that it happened elsewhere.  Lombardi had a lengthy career, mostly helping other wrestlers look good in the ring.  He did have some high profile matches, but mostly after he became known as the Brooklyn Brawler.  Of course, his Celebrity Jersey Card had to feature him in a Brooklyn Nets jersey.  I wonder if he renamed that "Boston Crab" to reflect his NY roots.

Paul Wight was born in Aiken, SC.  After playing some college basketball, Wight embarked on a wrestling career, first as "The Giant" and later as "the Big Show."  Wight suffers from acromegaly, but had a surgery in the 1990's to halt the progression.  He has had a legendary career, despite the often criticized many turns back and forth of his character.  His Celebrity Jersey Card probably features more jersey-wearing celebrities than any one I've done.  Pictured with The Big Show are Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase Jr., Cody Rhodes and The Miz.  Even among the larger than life wrestlers, he still stands out.

Gabrielle Carteris of Beverly Hills, 90210

Early in her acting career, Gabrielle Carteris landed the role of Andrea Zuckerman on tv's Beverly Hills, 90210.  She was with the show from 1990-96, with returns in 1998 and 2000.

She was so too often overlooked on the show.  Shannon Doherty, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen were viewed as the beauties, while Gabrielle was the brain.  A role on such a popular series is always rewarding, but it would have been nice to see her get more credit.

This might sound contradictory to a lot of opinions.  Actors want to be judged for their talent and not just their looks.  I'm sure it is a fine line at times.  I'm not taking anything away from the other women on the show.  I'm just stating a case for Gabrielle.

If I wasn't convinced already, seeing her in person at REWind Con sealed the deal.  The woman in the picture below was 55 at the time we met.  She showed no signs of major "improvements" either.  She looked to be natural.

I guess more important, Gabrielle was very sweet at the convention.  She is married with two children and still active, although lately mostly on television.  She is also President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

I was happy to see Gabrielle get a much attention as castmates Spelling, Garth, Luke Perry and Jason Priestley at the convention.  It was cool seeing the gang back together.  They seemed to be having fun, too.

Gabrielle Carteris and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Batgirl at C2E2 2016

Superman had Lois Lane.  Batman sort of had Catwoman.  Why can't Aquaman have Batgirl?  No, don't ask why Robin couldn't have Batgirl.  That's just silly.

I always liked Batgirl better than Catwoman anyway.  Of course, I also like the old-school Batgirl garb, before she (and every other superhero it seems went black).  Was it the purple leather?  Was it the red hair?  Was it Yvonne Craig (who portrayed her on tv's Batman)?

Whatever the reason, I like Batgirl.  I always try to get pictures with anyone dressed as any version of Aquaman at conventions.  I also do the same if I see the old school Batgirl.

I'm tired of the abundance of Catwoman characters at cons.  Let's see some imagination.  Let's see more Batgirl!

The lovely lady in the pic below did a fine job as Batgirl and I sealed the moment photographically.  Aquaman and Batgirl make a nice looking couple.

C2E2 2018 runs April 6 through April 8.  You can get all of the info including the celebrity guest list, ticket prices, scheduling and more at C2E2.com.

Batgirl and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

On the Beat at The Resistance Chapter One: Creation

The Resistance debuted last Saturday and it was a great start for the new wrestling company.  I was optimistic about Chapter One: Creation, but I didn't really know what to expect.

I did know that co-owners Jacques and Gabe Baron were working hard to make The Resistance unique and really fan-interactive.  I saw a lot of online polls and voting for wrestlers, matchups, stipulations and other fun stuff.  I saw a lot of social media hype from the incoming wrestlers, most of whom I had never previously seen in person.  Still, it remained to be seen how it would all come together on show night.

I am happy to report that Chapter One: Creation surpassed my expectations.  The show was exciting from start to finish and the fans were really into it.

Aside from being the debut, this show presented other challenges.  The Baron brothers introduced a wheel, which selected fans would spin to determine match stipulations.  With 24 options on the wheel, there really was no way for wrestlers to prepare for their match.  They had to deal with whatever the wheel spin produced.  As exciting as this was for fans, it was a challenge for the wrestlers, but they all did great.

I have to applaud all of the wrestlers a bit more.  They were all very polite and fan-friendly.  They seemed very happy to be there.  It was a lively, positive group.

The crowd was a bit bigger than I expected.  They were all hoping to win one of the raffles to actually be part of the action.  Longtime wrestling fans Eric Joseph Larkin and Jim Strong got to be a manager and a ring announcer, respectively.  I talked to them afterwards and they were legitimately giddy about the experience.

Another interesting thing about the fans was how they cheered.  As my broadcast partner Tommy Else and I talked about in our interview below, there were a lot of times when the fans seemed to be cheering for everyone.  I think that speaks to the wrestling talent and how hard they were working.  Nobody took the night off one bit.  The fans just cheered for it all.

Despite the frenzy of the first show,. I was able to get some great interviews.  We lead off with John Skyler, the Heavyweight champ  of The Resistance.  We also got co-owner Jacques Baron to give us his thoughts.  The very unique Darwin Finch gave us a few minutes of his time to discuss his style in and out of the ring.  Last (and not least), I got Tommy's thoughts on the night as we wrapped up the show.

It was an excellent first event, but of course, The Resistance has a lot of work to do to keep the momentum going.  Fortunately, I truly believe they will.  There was a real buzz in the air Saturday.  I have a lot of faith in the Baron brothers and everyone else involved.  I think they have created something unique and I am excited to see this all develop.

The Or Else Podcast-Episode 6 Special Forces With Col. Jesse Corgan

The new episode of The "Or Else" podcast is up on Soundcloud and we are very excited to have our first guest on the show.  Colonel Jesse Corgan joined us to lend his uniwue insight into Resistance Pro.

I liked the concept of Jesse joining us for the episode for a lot of reasons.  Jesse is a great guy and a friend, but also as Billy's brother, I felt he had a similar experience as Tommy.  They both faced a bit of resentment at not "earning" their place.  I don't agree with that mindset, but I some people did feel that Tommy and Jesse did not "pay their dues" to land their spot on the card.

As has been previously discussed, Tommy earned a spot on an RPro show via an open audition.  One show turned into a six year run with RPro.  He earned his permanent place on the roster through hard work in and out of the ring.  He was one of the most popular wrestlers in RPro.

Jesse got his first spot in RPro because of Billy, but he, too, earned a more regular role.  Jesse worked hard to improve every aspect of his performance.  We had a lot of fun with him repeatedly declining my interview requests and he came up with some of the ideas for those bits.  I know he sought out advice in and out of RPro.

Neither Tommy nor Jesse would have kept a spot in RPro if they did not deserve it.  Both were true professionals.  Both were determined to improve.  Also, both got over with the fans.

Jesse had some interesting thoughts when he joined us for podcast.  In typical Jesse fashion, he worried that he would do okay on the episode, which was unnecessary, because we knew he would do great and he did!  He gave us everything we wanted and more.  Well done, Jesse!

You can listen to all of the "Or Else" podcast episodes at The Or Else Podcast on Soundcloud.  You can also go directly to Episode 6 Special Forces With Special Guest Col. Jesse Corgan.

Jesse Anderson and me in Merrionette Park, IL-February 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Lights and Jim Strong

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

Valerie Anne Poxleitner is a Canadian musician better known as "Lights."  She started playing music while still in high school and has gone on to having two gold certified albums (The Listening and Siberia).  She has a beautiful voice and an interesting look (as you can see).
I have to hand it to my bud Jim.  He gets around.  He sees more singers and bands than most people I know.  Usually they also involve attractive women, but I cannot deny the talent of these women either.  Jim's a good guy and goes for the music and friendship (he has befriended several musicians).  Their beauty is just an extra bonus.
I have been at many wrestling events and celebrity appearances with Jim, but I have yet to make it to a concert with im.  Maybe that will happen in 2018.
It's too soon to have her 2018 schedule on Music.IamLights.com, but I'll be checking to see when/if she is coming to Chicago.  O course, I can probably just ask jim, because I'd bet he will go, too.

Lights and Jim Strong in Des Plaines, IL-August 2017.

Happy Birthday Sam Kolb!

Today, I celebrate my niece Sam's birthday!  It's also her first as a married woman.

Sam is such a great young lady.  I could go on and on about all of her great qualities, but I'm going to focus on the picture below.

Look how happy Sam is (Kyle, too).  I love this picture.  Of course, it is their wedding day and people are usually happy on their wedding day, but this was different.  This was special.

It's one thing for the bride and groom to talk about how special the day was, but I will say it, too.  It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony.  The couple wrote and spoke their own vows.  They were funny and loving.  I teared up several times throughout the day.

Sam and Kyle have been together for many years.  They have moved across the country and back.  They have experienced more than most their age and they have come through smiling.  I'm just so happy for them.

Happy birthday, Mrs. Kolb!  I hope it is the best ever!

Sam and Kyle Kolb in Lemont, IL-September 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #362 Carrlyn Bathe & LaTrycee Fowler

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Because it's cold in Chicago and the Blackhawks and Bulls are struggling, we need some sunshine from out west.

Carrlyn Bathe has been involved with the Los Angeles Kings for several years in many roles.  As an in-arena host, she entertained fans at the game.  Her work at Fox Sports has allowed her to entertain many more fans via television.  Of course, she is wearing a Kings sweater for her Celebrity Jersey Card.

LaTrycee Fowler is a former member of the Los Angeles Kings Ice Crew.  She has since embarked on an acting career and has a few roles already on her resume.  She was also the National Spokesperson for the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation.  For her Celebrity Jersey Card, she stayed loyal to her Kings!

The 2018 Chicago Auto Show

Last week, I had a great time covering the 2018 Chicago Auto Show.  I openly admit that I am not a car guy, but I couldn't help but get into it because of the over 1,000 vehicles on display on the 1 million square feet of floor space, as well as all of the other attractions.  My report appeared online for Global Traveler at The 2018 Chicago Auto Show.

As you know by now, I am a bit of a star chaser and I got to talk to many stars at the show.  Chicago Blackhawks Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk, Chicago Bears receiver Dontrelle Inman, WSCR sports radio's Mike Esposito, Steve Rosenblum and Matt Spiegel, many broadcasters from the ABC 7 news team and Chicago Cubs mascot Clark were just some of the interesting people there.

One last person I need to mention is John Hennessy.  Hennessy is the Chairman of the 2018 Chicago Auto Show.  I ran into him by accident, although I had wanted to meet him.  I was hanging out by the WSCR booth as they were doing a live broadcast and suddenly Hennessy appeared to do a segment on air.  That was a case of great timing.

After his bit was over, I introduced myself and thanked him for granting me access to the event.  I always try to thank the appropriate people.  I don't take press credentials for granted and I want the organizers to know that I appreciate the opportunity.

We talked for a few minutes about Global Traveler magazine, travel in general, the show and Chicago sports.  Obviously, Hennessy was really busy during the show, but he took the time to talk to me.  He was even patient as I fumbled trying to get a selfie with him.  I need to work on my selfie skills.

The 2018 Chicago Auto Show runs through Monday, February 19.  I hope o add a few more celebrities and memories to my experience.  For my first time covering this event, I got so much done and had a fantastic time.  I even checked out a few cars!

John Hennessy and me in Chicago IL-February 2018.

Still Missing Christy Hemme

There was a time when I would see Christy Hemme at least a couple times a year.  I had the pleasure of interviewing her a few times, too.  Unfortunately, I haven't seen her in a few years.

Christy was a wrestler and ring announcer.  She was unique among the beauties in the sport.  She had a great look, charisma and talent.  She also has dabbled in the music industry.

Christy had a baby in 2015 and in September of 2016, she announced she was expecting quadruplets.  While I certainly am happy for Christy and her husband, five infants does not bode well for Christy making appearances in the near future.

Christy was always very cool with me.  She was always good for a laugh and some fun chitchat.  I always looked forward to seeing her.  Last year, I listed Christy among my top ten of people I wanted to see again and she remains on that list and will stay there until we do meet again.

For now, I will have to be content watching the Johngy promo she did for me.  That can be seen in the left hand column.  It was one of the best and most excited promos I've ever gotten.  Of course it was.  It was from Christy!

Christy Hemme and me in Novi, MI-May 2009.

Cards That Never Were: Jack Marin 1977-78 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 mention, but I appreciate all of their efforts.
Jack Marin was selected fifth overall by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1966 NBA Draft.  He made his debut in the 1966-67 season and stayed with the Bullets through the 1971-72 season.  He spent a season and a half in Houston before joining the Buffalo Braves (now the Los Angeles Clippers).  He played with the Braves until early in the 1975-76 season when he joined my beloved Chicago Bulls.  He finished that season and played one more, before retiring after the 1976-77 season.
Marin appeared on his first Topps card in their 1969-70 set.  He got a card in every set through the 1976-77 set.  The first two misses are hard to correct.  Coverage of the NBA back then was scarce.  I did find a couple nice pictures for Marin's "career capper" 1977-78 card with the Bulls.  I don't usually create 2 cards from the same set, but I liked both of these images and Marin was one of my favorites.

Jonathan LaMantia at C2E2 2017

Jonathan LaMantia is another of my regular stops at comic cons.  Based out of Chicago, LaMantia does "mostly drawings of monsters."

The Freddy exclusive he did for the New York Comic Con a few years back is one of my favorite works of his.  It is creative, colorful, frightening and amusing.  It is just a beautiful piece.

Of course, LaMantia has created many other great pieces, too.  He has worked with full color and b/w and all of them are impressive.  Staying true to his own description as stated above, most of his creations involve monsters of some sort.

One of his creations that does not involve monsters is his version of a safety pin.  He drew the safety pin to support those who feel unsafe.  In his words, "I will do my best to provide a safe space to anyone who is in need- I will not stand idly by while acts of hate are being committed- I am here to make a difference."  It's a simple drawing, yet a powerful statement.

As much as I applaud LaMantia's artwork, I really salute his character.  By joining #safety pin, making his voice heard and donating to the ACLU, LaMantia is making a difference. 

Check out JonathanLaMantia.com for more info, including a gallery of his work, updates and his convention calendar.  Also, follow Jonathan LaMantia on Facebook.  

Jonathan LaMantia and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Kristen and Bobby Brown

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

Once again, I am bending the rules of Friendly Encounters to cover family ties.  I'll do anything to give more exposure to the Chicago Bandits.

A native of New York, Kristen Brown was a star softball player at North Carolina.  Upon graduation, she was drafted by the Bandits in 2016.  In her rookie season, she hit .225 with 5 home runs, 11 rbi's and 7 runs scored.  She had the distinction of making the catch for the final out as the Bandits won the NPF title last season.

Earlier this season, her father Bobby introduced himself to me and thanked me for my coverage of the team.  That was so very nice of him to do.  I had the pleasure of talking to him several times since then and I always enjoy chatting, even though he is a fan of the hated New York Mets.  I can't blame him for staying loyal to his hometown team though.  As long as he continues to cheer for the Bandits, all is good from my pint of view.

It's always nice meeting the family of players.  It makes everything a bit more of a personal and special experience.

I thank Kristen for her contributions to the Bandits and for having time for our interviews.  I also thank Bobby for his kindness and humor.

Bobby and Kristen Brown in New York, NY-October 2016.

Happy Birthday Jason Fleigel

Today, I feature my friend Jason, who is celebrating his birthday.  The picture below is fitting because he has become quite the family man and I couldn't be happier for him.

We have kidded Jason for years about his anger issues.  Perhaps it was just wild youth not corralled.  I do know that he seems so relaxed and happy these days and I give all credit to his lovely bride Heather and their adorable little Cassie.

Jason is a good guy and a great friend.  I've known him for about 23 years and we have had many great times.  I look forward to many more fun times with Jason and to seeing little Cassie grow.

Happy birthday, JayHawk.  Celebrate with your beautiful family and know I am toasting you from afar today!

Heather, Cassie, Jason and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Sam Huntington at MCCC 2011

At the Motor City Comic Con 2011, I really wanted to meet actor Sam Huntington.  I first knew him from Detroit Rock City, in which he played a member of a Kiss tribute band who were trying to meet their idols.  As a long-time Kiss fan, I loved that movie.

Doing a little pre-event research, I learned that Huntington's great-uncle was the legendary actor Ralph Bellamy.  Also, Huntington's mother owned and operated the Black Box Theatre, where he started his acting career.

I wanted to talk to Huntington about all of these things.  Fortunately, he was totally cool when we met him.  Most people wanted to talk to him about his appearances in Superman Returns (and the Superman Returns video game), Rosewood, Psych: The Movie and other more recent popular projects.

Detroit Rock City has become a bit of a cult classic.  I compare it to Rock 'n' Roll High School, starring PJ Soles and the Ramones.  I love these movies.

Huntington eagerly talked about the movie.  Born in 1982, Huntington might have missed Kiss in their prime, but he appreciates their place in rock and roll history and he loved being in the movie.

I love the picture of Jason and me with him.  It looks like three buddies hanging out on the convention floor.  Actually, that is what it felt like.  Huntington was relaxed and friendly and treated us like old friends.  It was a very nice experience.  He seemed like a really great guy.

Check out SamHuntington.com for more info and news.  You can also follow Sam Huntington on twitter.

Sam Huntington, Jason Fleigel and me in Novi, MI-May 2011.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #361: Mascot Week: The Chicken & Hubert

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys.  Today, we have a special Mascot Week edition.

The Chicken originated on an animated TV commercial for KGB-FM Radio in San Diego, CA.  When they wanted a live version, Ted Giannoulas was hired to wear the first chicken suit.  He originally appeared at the San Diego Padres games, but quickly became famous, even appearing on actual baseball cards in the Donruss sets of 1982-'84.  His Celebrity Jersey Card features a rare shot of him wearing an actual jersey, although still representing San Diego.

Hubert the Lion (or the Harris Bank Lion) was created for an ad campaign.  Like the Chicken, Hubert became fanous beyond the ad.  Hubert never appeared on a real trading card, but he did have stuffed toys made in his likeness.  Hubert's Celebrity Jersey Card stems from an appearance at a Rockford IceHogs game.

Mascot Week: Tessie of the Boston Red Sox

In 2016, Tessie joined her older brother Wally the Green Monster, as the Boston Red Sox added a new mascot.  "Tessie" has a fascinating history.

The original version of "Tessie (You Are the Only, Only, Only)" was written by Will R. Anderson and was  in the Broadway musical The Silver Slipper, which ran in 1902-03.. The song was about a woman singing to "Tessie," her beloved parakeet.

A bunch of loyal Red Sox fans, known as the Royal Rooters, adopted the song as a rallying cry for their beloved team.  It is said that in the 1903 World Series, with the Red Sox down 3-1 (in a best of 9 series) to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Royal Rooters sung Tessie as the Red Sox came roaring back and won 4 straight to take the series.

The Royal Rooters stopped singing in 1918.  The Red Sox won the World Series in 1918, then went 86 years without a winning another one.

in 2004, intending to bring back the spirit of the Royal Rooters and to get the Red Sox back on the winning track,  the Boston-area celtic punk group Dropkick Murphys recorded a cover of "Tessie,"  In true Hollywood fashion, the Red Sox won the World Series that year, ending the 86 year drought.

"Tessie" is featured in the movie Fever Pitch and was also on the DVD of the 2004 Red Sox season.  It is one of a few songs played after every Red Sox win.

I never knew there was another mascot for the Red Sox, let alone the great history behind it.  I just saw the mascot at a Spring Training game last year and got the picture.

On another note, Tessie has to be one of only a few female mascots.  I have no idea how many there actually are, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.  Even Tessie was only added as a counterpart to an existing male mascot.

Tessie and me in Fort Myers, FL-March 2017.

Mascot Week: T.C. Bear of the Minnesota Twins

T.C. Bear was born in 1991 in Bear River, MN and currently resides in White Bear Lake, MN.  He signed as a free agent with the Twins in April of 2000 and has been their mascot since.  His pre-game meal is said to include "Twins Dogs, fresh fish, and the occasional pot o' honey."  Some of that bio sounds a bit sketchy, but I'll go with it.

I met T.C. (which stands for Twin Cities).at Spring Training last year.  It's one thing being a mascot at Target Field in Minneapolis, but it's completely different baking in the sun in Fort Myers.  Still, T.C. was out there all day greeting fans and spreading cheer.

Deadspin ranked T.C. as the 52nd best mascot (out of 70) in all of pro sports.  That seems rather low.  I don't know their judging process, but he did at least finish ahead of the Chicago White Sox mascot.

You can keep up with the adventures of T.C. by following TC Bear on twitter.  It's actually quite amusing.

T.C. Bear and me in Fort Myers, FL-March 2017.

Mascot Week: Sky Guy of the Chicago Sky

The Chicago Sky's Sky Guy debuted with the team in 2006.  From his official bio, I learned that he was at the first WNBA game in 1997.  It also states he has 5 older sisters (how coincidental), who loved playing basketball.  His favorite color is Sky blue (of course)   His favorite food is apples.

Apples?  How does that fit into the character?  There has to be a connection that I am missing, but I can't figure out what it is.  It's not that apples are bad or a weird choice, but all of the other stats somehow tie into the team or the city.  Deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches or even a loaded hotdog (no ketchup, of course) would have made sense (especially the hotdog, now that I think about it).

I first met Sky Guy at O'Hare Airport, when I was on Team Resistance for an airplane pull.  Then I met him a couple times at Chicago bandits games.

I had never met him at the Sky games, until I started covering the team.  That, in itself, is an odd tale.

I wanted to cover the Sky for years.  I actually seemingly was set to do so a few years back, but somehow that never happened.  Last year, while in Las Vegas, I decided to roll the dice again (it seemed to be the place to gamble).  This time, things fell into place and I began covering the team during the 2017 seaqson.

Last season, the Sky finished in 5th place (out of 8) with a record of 12-22.  While that might seem lackluster, it was much more exciting than the record would indicate.  They started slow, but came on strong and just missed the playoffs.

It was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing it again for the 2018 season.  This season will be played at the brand new Wintrust Arena, located just south of downtown Chicago.  It is a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility.

You can follow all of my coverage of the Sky at On the Beat With the Chicago Sky.  I'll also be reporting for the Patch, too.  Of course, you can also check out all of the info at Sky.wnba.com.

Sky Guy and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2016.

Mascot Week: Hubert the Lion

Mascot Week continues.  Today, I am featuring Hubert the Lion, one of the first mascots I ever remember (he must be pretty old).

The Harris Trust and Savings Bank started using a lion as their mascot in 1911.  There were some predecessors to Hubert.  In 1957, Hubert was created for an ad campaign starting in 1958.  Name changes were considered, but a memo from "Hubert" on Leo Burnett letterhead ended those discussions.  The memo read, “Hubert is just right for my new role. Aristocratic but not snobbish. Unusual but not bizarre. Faintly amusing but not snicker-making. Dignified but not stuffy. So why can’t I be Hubert, like I was christened … Shucks fellers. Why not just let me be? Hubert that is.”

Hubert went on to star in commercials, make appearances and proudly represent Harris Bank.  He was also immortalized in plush doll form.  I remember having a Hubert doll in our house, but I don;t remember whose it was.

I ran into Hubert last year at an IceHogs game, when I was looking for Hammy Hog.  I looked for a hog and found the King of The jungle.

Hubert and me in Rockford, IL-March 2017

Mascot Week: Friendly Encounters: DIBS and Jodie Schaefer

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series in which I feature friends who have met celebrities.  Mascot Week starts with a Special Friendly Encounters edition.

Back in my day, the DePaul mascot was Billy Blue Demon.  In 1999, Billy was replaced by DiBS, which stands for Demon in a Blue Suit.

My passion for mascots is well known, but this one falls very flat.  Could they have picked a dumber name?

I understand they wanted to update their mascot.  Their goal was to show a fiercer mascot to go along with the new direction of the school.  Understandably, they wouldn't abandon the blue demon look.  Why didn't they just update the look, like many other institutions have done.  "DiBS" represents toughness?  I'd like to hear a good explanation of how that all came to be and why nobody stopped the insanity.

If they wanted to improve their image or to go in the new direction, maybe they should have actually made their basketball team better.  As a major school in a world class city, there is no excuse for the mediocrity of DePaul's basketball program.

The Demons have moved into their beautiful new Wintrust Arena, just south of downtown.  The proximity should improve the student attendance, but a better product would be the best solution.

With all of that being as is, I still like seeing any mascot, including DiBS.  There's no point in holding a grudge against the mascot.

My dear friend Jodie knows of my interest in mascots and took a picture with DiBS last year while at an event with her kids.  To Jodie, her kids and most of the population, a mascot is a mascot.  I didn't feel the need to go into my rant about the history of the Blue Demon.

DIBS and Jodie Schaefer in Chicago, IL-February 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #360 Velvet Sky & Ashley Alexixx

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.  Today is all about the Super Bowl.

Jamie Lynn Szantyr was born in Connecticut, but became a star as Velvet Sky in wrestling rings all over the world.  Her NFVel promotion had her wearing jerseys from every team, which has landed her on many Celebrity Jersey Cards already, but nobody is complaining.  Today, she is repping Nick Foles, which is appropriate since he will be trying to complete his successful run at filling in for Carson Wentz.

Ashley Alexiss gained fame as a plus size model, who evolved into a media personality and more.  She is a native of Boston, MA.  Coincidentally, her mother's first name is Velvet.  She sports Tom Brady's #12 on her Celebrity Jersey Card, but with her name on the back.  I would have liked to see "Brady" on her back to complete today's QB matchup.

Chicago Sky + University of Chicago

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a Press Conference at Wintrust Arena.  The Chicago Sky had a big announcement to make.

I arrived early to the arena, located just south of downtown Chicago.  As I made my way across the concourse, I recognized Sky owner Michael Alter, Sky Coach Amber Stocks and Sky player Stefanie Dolson.  Shortly after we all assembled, Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined the other dignitaries for a group photo before the short speeches began.

The Sky was proud to announce the University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences as their official medical sponsor and provider.  One by one, several members of the Sky organization, the Mayor and representatives of the University of Chicago talked about the new partnership, the excitement over the Sky's move back to Chicago and other related topics.

This partnership is really exciting news.  It is more of the Sky entrenching itself in Chicago and a major University and medical center embracing the organization.

Sky Principal owner Aler is also President of the Alter Group, one of the country’s largest private commercial real estate developers.  Alter has always impressed me with his passion for the Sky.  It's not just a business for him.

After covering the Sky last season, I finally had the chance to introduce myself and to thank him for that opportunity.  We talked a bit about Global Traveler magazine, the team and the new arena.  Despite how busy he was, he took a few minutes to talk with me and I greatly appreciate that.

After covering the Sky for one season, I found myself missing it shortly after the last game.  I have a great deal of respect for the positivity and professionalism of Coach Stocks and the athleticism of the players, of course.  It really was a lot of fun being at the games and in the press sessions.  I thank the Sky organization for the opportunity and hospitality.  I look forward to being back "On the Beat" this season (which starts in May).

Check out Sky.WNBA.com for more info on the Sky, including news, schedules and events.  Also, follow the Sky on Facebook, the Sky on twitter and the Sky on Instagram.

Michael Alter and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Amanda Wyss At Days of the Dead Louisville 2016

The last time I saw actress Amanda Wyss, she was sporting an arm cast, but she was a trooper and delighted fans all weekend at Days of the Dead 2012 in Indianapolis.  My recap of that can be found at The Gutsy Amanda Wyss.

Wyss costarred in such hits as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Nightmare on Elm Street, among others.  She has also had recurring roles and guest appearances on episodic television.  Additionally, she is a popular guest at comic cons.

This time, I reconnected with Wyss at Days of the Dead Louisville 2016.  This time, she was not hindered by the cast.  She was full of energy and gladly moved around for pictures with her fans.  Last time, she was forced to sit and request that fans not hit her arm, but she still kept her fans happy!

Wyss is a great guest, eagerly talking about her roles in the iconic movies, as well as her other projects.  Once again, Days of the Dead brings in the bests guests!

Amanda Wyss and me in Louisville, KY-September 2016.

Happy Anniversary Global Traveler

February marks the beginning of the 15th year of Global Traveler magazine.  It's been a incredible run!

I first met Fran Gallagher in 1984.  I had recently started working at CWO&O (an advertising representative company) in downtown Chicago.  Fran was a young salesman who transferred from the Philadelphia office.

His time in Chicago would be short, as Fran and his wife wanted to be back in the Philly area.  I believe he was in Chicago for about six months, before he transferred to our New York office.

Fran and I got along right from the start.  For some reason, he took a liking to me.  We kept in touch after he left for NY and even after he left CWO&O to join Business Traveler magazine.  Usually that meant he would call me when he landed in Chicago to invite me to dinner.  He wasn't very fond of much notice.

Several years later, Fran started talking to me about his idea to start Global Traveler.  When GT was going to become an actual entity, Fran started picking my brain for distribution help.  Eventually, we decided I would handle all of his distribution.

It was a challenge and an opportunity (to quote our old CWO&O colleague Scott Richards).  I had never handled any distribution outside of the Chicago area, but I jumped in and, along with Louie Atsaves, we developed a nationwide delivery system for GT.

Because of GT, I've been to New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles many times, as well as several other cities on occasion.  I've had so many great times and it has accounted for the main source of my income over the years.

More important than all of that, it has been such a pleasure working with Fran.  Things are never dull around Fran.  He's loyal, caring, hilarious and everything you'd want in a boss and a friend.  He's one of the hardest working people I know, but he also has more fun than most.

Congratulations to Fran and the entire GT family.  I am proud to have been with GT from the start (actually before the start) and I am proud to be a small part of the success.

The GT staff in Beverly Hills, CA-December 2017.