Jade Rhodes-2018 NPF Rawlings Gold Glove Winner

After an outstanding collegiate career at Auburn, Jade Rhodes signed with the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the NPF. She joined the Scrapyard Dawgs in 2017 and signed with the Cleveland Comets this season. The slick fielding 1st baseman is also the daughter of former MLB pitcher Arthur Rhodes.

The Comets finished the 2018 season in last place with a record of 10-38. There wasn't much celebrating for fans, but Jade did provide a source of pride, when it was announced she won the Rawlings Gold Glove award. She is just the 3rd such winner of that award (along with AJ Andrews and Chelsea Goodacre).

Obviously any award from being the best is quite an accomplishment, but the Rawlings Gold Glove is especially significant, because only one player in the whole league wins it (unlike in the MLB when every position in each league wins a Gold Glove).  Despite Sammy Marshall of the Bandits being a finalist, I am very happy for Jade. It's certainly a significant achievement for her.

Aside from the personal importance, the Rawlings Gold Glove is a giant step for the NPF as a whole. It's a sign of recognition from Rawlings. The NPF is important enough to bestow such an honor.

It's also a big step for women's athletics. I have championed that cause for a while. These ladies are just as athletic and work just as hard as any man and they get paid a lot less (but that's another story). It's great to see this award expanded to include an NPF player. My hope (and that of NPF fans everywhere) is that the award will eventually be given to each position in the NPF,. but for now, I applaud the progress.

For her part, Jade is a quick-handed smooth 1st baseman. She is also a class act. While I am sure she is proud of the award, having to be part of a meet and greet, while two other teams play for the title had to be a bit of a letdown, but she was positive all throughout the night.

Congratulations to Jade, the Comets and the NPF. I think it is a sign of more good things to come.

Jade Rhodes and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Shelby Turnier: National Pro Fastpitch All NPF Team Pitcher 2018

Shelby Turnier was a star on the mound at Central Florida. The Chicago Bandits selected her with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 NPF draft.

She went 5-4 in her rookie season and followed it with 2-6 in her second year. Although her stats didn't show it, there were plenty of signs that Shelby was on the rise.

It all came together this season. Shelby went 5-0 with an ERA of 1.12. Those are numbers of staff aces.

There was talk all season that Shelby was among the elite pitchers in the NPF. At the end of the season, those talks turned to truth as she was named to the All NPF team.

I am so happy for Shelby and her parents, who make several trips from Florida to see her pitch. She is a mature young lady and a real fan favorite.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her earlier this season. My interview can be found at On the Beat With Shelby Turnier of the ChicagoBandits 2018.

For more info on Shelby and the Bandits, check out ChicagoBandits.com. Also, check TheBanditAcademy.com for info on softball instruction by Shelby, Sammy Marshall and others. Check, Johngy's Beat, too, for recurring coverage of the Bandits.

Shelby Turnier and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Jessie Scroggins: National Pro Fastpitch Rookie of the Year 2018

Jessie Scroggins starred at Baylor University and was selected 15th overall by the Chicago Bandits in the 2018 National Pro Fastpitch draft. She made an immediate impact with the Bandits.

The rookie outfielder was all over the NPF Leader boards. She hit .412, with 3 home runs, 18 rbi's, 29 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Those numbers earned her the NPF Rookie of the Year award.

Many times, rookies struggle for playing time before they eventually become regulars and even stars. Jessie jumped right into the action and looks to have a promising career. It will be fun watching her grow and develop.

She's also a great person. I had the pleasure of interviewing her earlier in the season. My interview is at On the Beat With Jessie Scroggins of the Chicago Bandits 2018.

For more info on Jessie and the Bandits, check out ChicagoBandits.com. Also check back here for continuing coverage.

Jessie Scroggins and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Jolene Henderson: National Pro Fastpitch Pitcher of the Year

Jolene Henderson starred on the mound at Cal Berkeley and was selected by the Chicago Bandits in the 2013 NPF draft. She didn't play that season due to an injury and missed the 2014 season to play for Team USA.

She began her NPF career with the Dallas Charge in 2015. In 2016, she joined the USSSA Pride and has remained a fixture in their rotation since then.

In 2018, she led the NPF in wins (10) and shutouts (2). She had en ERA of .400, a strikeout percentage of 67.36% and 56 strikeouts. Her individual season was capped off when she was named the 2018 NPF Pitcher of the Year. Adding to the success, she then went on to win the NPF championship with the Pride.

Off the field, Jolene is another example of the quality of young ladies playing in the NPF. She always joined the autograph line and spent a lot of time with the fans. It really is one of the coolest things to see these players mingle with their young fans.

Thank you to Jolene for a fantastic season, despite beating my Bandits. Thanks always to the Bandits for their hospitality. Check out ChicagoBandits.com during the offseason for news and updates.

Jolene Henderson and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Friendly Encounters: Julianna Zobrist and Jonathan Cimaglio

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

Jonathan Cimaglio is a huge fan of the Chicago Bandits, which is how I first met him. He also has an impressive autograph collection, including may from the Bandits and other teams of National Pro Fastpitch.

One of the more interesting people he has met was Julianna Zobrist, wife of Chicago Cubs player Ben Zobrist. She also happens to be an accomplished musician. Known for her Christian pop style of electronic dance music, Julianna released Shatterproof, her first album, in 2016. Two of the songs made it onto the Billboard charts.

I wonder if Cimags got her autograph. If he did, I wonder if it was on a ball. If it was, I wonder if he will attempt to get Ben to sign it, too. That would be a unique dual-signature ball.

I miss seeing Cimags around the ballpark in Rosemont. He's doing good up in Minnesota, but he should be here, cheering for the Bandits and adding to his NPF collection.

Julianna Zobrist and Jonathan Cimaglio in Oak Brook, IL-May 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #388 Bruno Sammartino & Scott Steiner

Celebrity Jersey cards is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.

Born in Pizzoferrato, Abruzzo, Italy and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Bruno Sammartino grew up to be a legendary pro wrestler. He holds the record for longest total days as WWF (WWE) champ and was a fixture on main events at Madison Square Garden. He is arguably one of the top 5 wrestlers of all time. His celebrity Jersey Card comes from his appearance at PNC Park, where he was greeted as royalty (and rightly so).

Scott Steiner was an accomplished wrestler at the University of Michigan. He joined brother Rick in the world of pro wrestling, forming the legendary Steiner Brothers tag team. After some success as a team, Scott went on to greater heights as a singles wrestler. Big Poppa Pump was a main eventer for many years. His Celebrity Jersey Card shows him delivering his devastating "Steiner Line" to the mascot.

Brenna Moss: National Pro Fastpitch Player of the Year 2018

The National Pro Fastpitch season ended last Saturday with the USSSA Pride winning the championship after a tough 3 game series with the Chicago Bandits. The Bandits should be proud of their season and their players.

Leading the Bandits (and actually the whole league) was 4th year outfielder Brenna Moss. Brenna tied the NPF single season hits record of 65 hits. She also topped the NPF leaderboards in runs scored (38) on base percentage (.466), batting average (.442) and stolen bases (27). She also placed high in several other categories. In short, she had a great season!

Brenna's achievements were rewarded with a major post-season award. She was named the 2018 NPF Player of the Year, a well-deserved honor.

As good as Brenna is on the field, she is a real sweetheart off the field. She's always available for a good interview or quote. She is always taking pictures and signing autographs for fans. She is one of the leaders on the team and one of the faces of the organization.

During the NPF championship series, I had the pleasure of watching some of the games with her father. His love and appreciation for Brenna was obvious and heartwarming. Their playful banter between innings was a lot of fun to witness.

I have watched Brenna from her rookie season and she has grown as a player and person. She came to the Bandits as a talented, mature young lady and has become one of the NPF stars. I am proud to cover her and to call her a friend.

Thank you to Brenna and the Chicago Bandits for their hospitality all season. Check out ChicagoBandits.com for info and updates during the offseason.

Brenna Moss and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

RAK at Wizard World Chicago 2017

Wizard World Chicago 2018 runs through Sunday, August 26. I am recalling some of the interesting people I have met there. 

Robert A. Kraus is one of the first artists I ever met. Over the years, RAK and I became friends (as in, I bug him at every Wizard World).

RAK is the creator of SuperFreeks, an unusual take on pop culture figures. Of course, the first one I sought (and bought) was his Aquaman.

As I have mentioned a few (thousand) times, Aquaman is the most neglected superhero. Too often, even artists omit him from their lineup. When I find an artist who created an Aquaman, that artist immediately becomes a favorite.

It's not just his Aquaman though. RAK has created hundreds of SuperFreeks. He's ventured into music, sports, wrestling, movies and other negres. They are all spectacularly twisted.

Every year at Wizard World, I always ask him about my other favorites, like Billy Joel. This year, I will ask about Haley Reinhart. I'm sure RAK gets hundreds of suggestions and he is very patient with everyone. He can't do them all on the cards, but he is always open to commissions.

Check out all of his work at RAKGraphics.com. Also, head to WizardWorld.com for all of the info on every show.

RAK and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Jerry Milani at Wizard World Chicago 2017

The wait is finally over. Wizard World Chicago 2018 starts today. Soon, I'll be ensconced in pop culture madness!

Over the last couple weeks, I have featured a lot of celebrities I have met at Wizard World, but none of that would be possible without Jerry Milani. Jerry is the Public Relations Manager for Wizard World and he is the pride of Fordham University.

I have known Jerry for many years. My email chain dates back to 2012, but I am quite sure I have worked with him prior to that. I think Jerry might have been born at Wizard World.

Jerry is one of the hardest working people in the business. It's not easy coordinating celebrities, media and fans, but Jerry does it smoothly. I have gotten many great interviews and attended many interesting related  events with his assistance.

I appreciate everything Jerry has done for me. I also want to thank the entire staff of Wizard World. They do an excellent job of keeping things organized.

Wizard World runs through Sunday. For more info, check out WizardWorld.com.

Jerry Milani and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Thank You Chicago Bandits

Unfortunately, the Chicago Bandits 2018 season ended with a loss to the USSSA Pride in the NPF championships. Despite the loss, it was a great season and I had a lot of fun. I wrote about the end of the season online for Global Traveler at National Pro Fastpitch Championship.

This was my 5th season covering the Bandits and it keeps getting better. Once again, I interviewed almost every player (some day I will get Danielle O'Toole). Those interviews and all the interviews with the Bandits over the years can be found on the Johngy's Beat Chicago Bandits playlist on YouTube. There are over 140 interviews with Bandits past and present.

The Bandits finished in 2nd place and were a solid team. The USSSA Pride was just a bit better. I am sure the Bandits will address some needs in the offseason. I am already looking forward to the 2019 season.

As always, I thank GM Toni Calmeyn, Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal, Director of Game Day Operations Jourdan Skirha and all other members of the organization and Bandit Nation, too! I'll still be featuring some Bandits stuff here in the offseason, but you can also go to ChicagoBandits.com for more news and updates.

Jack Keenan, the Chicago Bandits and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

On the Beat With Emily Allard of Be The Momentum

Sunday, I had the pleasure of catching up with Emily Allard of Be The Momentum. Emily is a former softball player for the Northwestern Wildcats and the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits, where I first met her in 2014.

Emily had a stellar career at Northwestern and started off great with the Bandits. Unfortunately, a concussion in 2016 derailed her pro career, but not her passion.

In 2014, Emily and Kristin Scharkey, her former teammate with the Wildcats, founded Be The Momentum, with a stated purpose of "empowering Slappers to be catalysts for game-changing moments." Through clinics, boot camps, instructional sessions, videos and more, BTM is teaching the fine art of slapping (moving through the box while hitting). I wrote more in depth on Patch.com at Emily Allard and Be The Momentum.

Right from the start, Emily was one of my favorites. Her dedication and love of the game and the future of the game impressed me and is partly why I fell in love with the game, too. Emily was one o the first Bandits I ever heard speaking of growing the game and passing it on. It's almost as if Emily and her teammates were more concerned with tomorrow's players than themselves and never doubt that they gave their all each time they stepped on the field.

I love how emotional Emily gets when I mention a young fan wearing her jersey at a recent game. (yes, I got emotional, too). That is passion, dedication and love.

Emily is a great young lady and a great role model. I can't praise her enough for all she does, but I can help spread the word on what she is doing.

Watch the video below and then check out BeTheMomentumSoftball.com to learn more about Emily and softball. I will continue to follow Emily and her endeavors and I will continue sharing all right here.

Thank you to Emily for her time, consideration and friendship. Thanks especially for always thinking of the youngsters.

Friendly Encounters: Milo Ventimiglia and Matt Parker

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

As Wizard World Chicago 2018 approaches, this is a special Wizard World Friendly Encounters.

JohngysBeat.com Contributor Extraordinaire Matt Parker earned his title hundreds of times. His place is firmly cemented in Johngy's Beat history. I couldn't have done a lot of what I have without his help, especially in the earlier years.

I was always happy when Matt would meet a celeb. Aside with payment in pizza and Cokes, it was good to give him something you couldn't get just anywhere.

Meeting Milo Ventimiglia was one of the times when Matt wanted to meet a celeb. Among his many other roles, Ventimiglia played Peter on tv's Heroes. Of course, he also starred as Rocky Jr. in Rocky Balboa. before finding even more success on tv's Gilmore Girls. Recently, he really struck gold on tv's This Is Us.

I have met Ventimiglia many times since and he is still a great guy. His lines are longer, but it s always worth the wait to see him. He's great with his fans.

Thank you to Big Money for all of the help he has given me. Thanks to Wizard World for granting us access.

Check out WizardWorld.com for all of the info on every show. Wizard World Chicago 2018 starts Thursday, August 23 and runs through Sunday, August 26. I hope to see you there.

Milo Ventimiglia and Matt Parker in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #387 Michael Nutter & Sonny Hill

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our alphabetical romp through Major League Baseball.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Michael Nutter went on to become the 98th Mayor of the City of Brotherly Love from January 2008 to January 2016. He gets extra points for wearing the Phillies and having a glove cap on his Celebrity Jersey Card, but loses points for tucking in his jersey (a jersey infraction). 

Sonny Hill is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. He played basketball in the Eastern Basketball League, prior to becoming a broadcaster for the 76ers and also CBS. He started the Sonny Hill League and is known as "Mr. Basketball" and the "Mayor of Basketball" around Philly. He also gets extra points for donning the Phillies cap on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Brit Bliss at Wizard World Chicago 2017

Wizard World Chicago 2018 runs from Thursday, August 23 through Sunday, August 26. With Wizard World approaching, I am featuring some of the many interesting folks I have met there over the years.

Cosplaying is serious business at Wizard World and Brit Bliss is a serious cosplayer. Of course, Brit, like all cosplayers, has a ton of fun in that seriousness. We all have fun with and because of her, too.

Cosplaying since 2014, Brit loves the Marvel, Star Wars and Pokemon. She makes most of her costumes by herself.

At Wizard World, you will see plenty of cosplayers. In fact, they usually have a whole area for cosplayers. There are also many levels of cosplay, from the novice to the elite, like Brit. There i room for everyone at Wizard World and you will see all kinds of characters.

Brit is great with the fans and not just men looking to take a picture with a beautiful woman. Kids and other women enjoy her costumes, too.

I wonder what she will be this year. I also wonder how she would put together a Johngy costume.

Check out BritBliss.com for all of the info on her, including her appearance schedule. Of course, also go to WizardWorld.com for info on all of their shows.

Brit Bliss and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Aniviel at Wizard World 2013

Wizard World Chicago 2018 starts next Thursday, August 23 and runs through Sunday, August 26. With Wizard World fast approaching, I am featuring some of the many great moments I have had there.

One of the best parts of Wizard World is hanging with friends. Whether close friends or once-a-year Wizard World friends, it's always wonderful seeing friendly faces.

Aniviel certainly qualifies as a friendly face. I met Aniviel through Resistance Pro wrestling, where she performed many functions and eventually even wrestled. Of course, Aniviel is just a nickname, but that's her story to tell. Aniviel is a total sweetheart.

Back a few years, her signature move was facelicking. She would lick the face of celebrities in pictures. A bit unusual, but definitely funny, she licked many celebrity faces. Naturally, when I saw her at Wizard World, I had to ask to join that exclusive club. She was a good sport and went along with my request and thus, the iconic image was created.

Every friend you meet at Wizard World won't lick your face. Aniviel probably won't even lick your face. Still, you'll get plenty of hugs, knuckle-punches and all sorts of other friendly greetings. I always look forward to seeing old friends, almost as much as seeing the celebs (and maybe even more).

Check out WizardWorld.com for all of the info on all of their shows around the country. I have been to shows in several other cities and they are all a blast!

Aniviel and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

Roman Reigns at Wizard World Chicago 2017

Wizard World Chicago 2018 runs from Thursday, August 23 through Sunday, August 26. With Wizard World fast approaching, I am featuring some of the celebrities I have met over the years.

Roman Reigns has had an interesting start to his career.  Much like his cousin Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Reigns has been greeted with a large amount of backlash as the WWE pushes him.  Maybe it is a bit of fans trying to be cool or maybe they are booing the WWE as much for the situation, but Reigns has been a lightning rod for WWE fans.

Leati Joseph Anoaʻi is part o the famous Anoa'i family.  He originally started a career in pro football, but switched into wrestling in 2010.  He started in the WWE as part of The Shield, a very popular heel stable.  In 2014, the WWE split the faction and started pushes for all as singles.

That's pretty much where the fans turned on Reigns.  Of course, in today's wrestling, good is bad, bad is good and everything is stale within months.  I can't imagine how hard it would be to become popular and to stay popular.  The audiences are so tough on these stars.

For his part, Reigns has stayed above the fray.  From all accounts he is working hard at improving his work in the ring and on the mic.

I never had an issue with Reigns.  I figure that he is young and needs time to find himself.  My real gripe is with the WWE over-managing every aspect of the talent.  I'd rather see the wrestlers succeed (or fail) on their own.  True talent will rise.

I got to talk to Reigns at last year's Wizard World.  No surprise, he was a really nice guy.  He thanked everyone individually as they met him.  He happily posed and talked to everyone, as much as time permitted.  When I asked him about his character's popularity (or lack of), he just said he was going to continue to be himself and it would all work out.  I think he's right.  I think eventually the fans will get behind him (and boo the next guy).  It's all part of the modern day world of wrestling.

Go to WizardWorld.com for all of the info on every show. They have many shows across the country and one has to be near you (or it's worth the drive).

Roman Reigns and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Art Baltazar at Wizard World 2015

As we start approaching Wizard World Chicago, we continue to feature some great memories we have had at there. From Thursday, August 23 through Sunday, August 26, we will be making new memories!

I have seen comic artist and writer Art Baltazar at many comic cons, but I finally interviewed him earlier this year. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Art Baltazar.

It's interesting that Art was originally rejected in his attempts to be a comic creator. Fortunately, Art did not give up on his dream or his ability. He eventually self-published The Cray-Baby Adventures. Other comics of his soon followed, including Gyro-Man, Captain Camel & the Space Chicken, Jimmy Dydo, Lunar Lizard, Meteor Mite and Patrick the Wolf Boy. As impressive as that resume is, I really think he has only scratched the surface of his creativity. Art is amazing.

Art is also a super nice guy. He holds no ill will to those who rejected his work, but he does take a gleeful pleasure that they have since come to him for projects. How gratifying that must be.

Art's booth is easily one of the most colorful booths at any comic con. Decorated with many of his characters, his booth often has a line of fans wanted to buy his work and to talk a little comics. Art is happy to comply with both needs.

Check out ArtBaltazar.com for more info. You can also follow Art Baltazar on twitter for daily thoughts, pictures and other fun.

Also, go to WizardWorld.com to get all of the updates and schedules for Chicago and all other Wizard World shows. See you there!

Art Baltazar and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

On the Beat With Natalie Hernandez of the Chicago Bandits 2018 (With Kenzie Parker)

The Chicago Bandits ended their regular season with a loss to the 1st place USSSA Pride. The outcome didn't really matter since these teams will be back facing each other in the National Pro Fastpitch championship series starting this Thursday (August 16).

We had just interviewed infielder Natalie Hernandez earlier in the weekend, but we landed her again. Actually, superfan (and future Bandit) Kenzie Parker scored this interview.

After contributing questions for many interviews over he last couple seasons, we finally were able to coordinate things to officially get Kenzie "On the Beat" with the Bandits. Of course, we had to get her favorite player!

Kenzie's family traveled from Michigan to attend this game and to do a few of the game day experiences. After they joined the Bandits on the field for as post-game team photo, they jumped in the autograph line to meet the players individually. When that was done, it was time for the interview.

Kenzie handled it like a champ. I can honestly say she did better than I did in my early interviews. She had solid questions and a good rapport with Natalie. Ever the pro, she didn't even let the roar of planes or the rowdy crowd behind her derail her interview.

The Bandits (and other teams) always preach growing the game. It's ben a lot of fun having Kenzie contribute and I am very happy to do my small part in helping to grow the game. It is a great sport and the women athletes are incredible players and people.

Kenzie is you, but I truly believe she will be a Bandit one day. She is dedicated, determined and certainly more mature than I was at her age.

Kenzie has an open offer to do more interviews anytime she is back in town. All I ask is that when she makes the Bandits, I get her first interview!

As always, I thank Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal for his help in facilitating this interview and the rest all season. Thanks to the Bandits for their hospitality. Thanks to Natalie for her time again. Thanks to the Parker family for making the effort and for their friendship. A big thanks to Kenzie for all of her contributions over the last two seasons.

Friendly Encounters: Tom Cook and Tommy Else

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities. With Wizard World Chicago 2018 starting Thursday, August 23 and running through Sunday, August 26, today I present a special Wizard World edition of Friendly Encounters.

Several years back, Resistance Pro had a booth at Wizard World. Of course, my pal Tommy Else was at the booth promoting RPro. (Actually, Eric St. Vaughn, as he was known in wrestling, was there.)

I knew that Tommy was a big fan of He-Man. When I saw that Tom Cook, one of the animators of He-Man, was also there, I figured it would be cool to have Tommy interview him. Obviously, Tommy would know more about He-Man and I thought he'd enjoy it, too. It all went very smoothly and I appreciated Tommy's part.

In addition to He-Man, Cook worked on a lot of other cartoons, such as Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids and the Masters of the Universe. If you grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, chances are you have seen and enjoyed his work!

You can watch Tommy's interview with Cook at On the Beat With Tom Cook at Wizard World 2013. Also, check out WizardWorld.com for all of info on all of their shows.

Tom Cook and Tommy Else in Rosemont, IL-August 2013.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits (Interviews Part 7)

We were back "On the Beat" with the Chicago Bandits for the final homestand of the season. This time, we interviewed infielder Courtney Gano, pitcher Paige Lowary and infielder Natalie Hernandez.
Every set of interviews brings something new. This time, we had Paige and Courtney sitting in on each other's interview. That was a first and it certainly added to the fun. Natalie's was special, too, because she is the last remaining Bandit from my first year with the team (2014).
These ladies, like all of the Bandits, are just so much fun. They have the youthful exuberance you'd expect, but they also have a real maturity level. Their passion and deciation is clearly evident. It's all about getting better, growing the game and playing for the fans. It's not just cliches. These elite athletes live it and show it daily.

I want to thank Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal for facilitating these interviews. Thanks to the Bandits organization for their hospitality. Thanks to Mark Pandocchi for his video work and Kenzie Parker for her questions. Thanks to Bandit Nation for the continued support. Finally, of course, thanks to Paige, Courtney and Natalie for their time and consideration. 

Celebrity Jersey Cards #386 Kylie Bunbury & Dan Lauria

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our alphabetical romp through Major League Baseball.

Born in Canada, Kylie Bunbury originally worked as a model, before transitioning into acting. She played lead character Ginny on tv's Pitch, a drama about a female pitcher with the San Diego Padres. Unfortunately, the series lasted only season. Bunbury earned her Celebrity Jersey Card from the show, but I would have thought Topps would have made actual cards.

Actor Dan Lauria was born in Brooklyn, NY and rose to fame on tv's The Wonder Years. He also has earned a lot of praise for his work on the stage, including as Vince Lombardi in Lombardi. Lauria starred as Al Luongo, the Manager of the Padres on Pitch, thus earning his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Lilian Garcia at Wizard World 2010

Wizard World Chicago 2018 starts next Thursday, August 23 and runs through Sunday, August 26. With Wizard World fast approaching, I am featuring some of the many great moments I have had there.

Lilian Garcia is one of the classiest women to ever grace a WWE ring.  Despite working in the wild, over-the-top industry, Garcia did not get drawn into the sometimes raunchy bits.

She worked for the WWE from 1999 through 2016, when she retired to take care of her ailing father.  She has made a few random appearances since then.  As a ring announcer, she sometimes got drawn into various storylines or segments and was involved in a few matches, she stayed above the fray for the vast majority of her career.

Being an attractive, young woman in the wrestling business, especially during the "Attitude Era," could not have been easy.  Staying away from the more adult-oriented parts would make it even harder.

While others pretty much bared all, Garcia never did.  She wore revealing or sexy outfits at times, but always remained classy.  I can't think of another young woman who can claim the same over such a long period of time.

Along with being the Ring Announcer, Garcia also sang the National Anthem for big WWE events.  She has a fantastic voice and has several recordings in English and Spanish.

Jason and I had the pleasure of meeting her at Wizard World.  Wizard World is a great place to meet wrestlers.  Mixed in with so many celebrities from other professions, wrestlers often have lines shorter than what they would have in a separate appearance.

Go to LilianGarcia.com or the Lilian Garcia Official Fan Page on Facebook to learn more abouther and to get updates.  You should also check out WizardWorld.com to see their show schedules and their celebrity guest lineups.

Jason Fleigel, Lilian Garcia and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Dave Acosta at C2E2 2017

Dave Acosta is a sequential artist, whose clients have included Disney, Dynamite Comics and more. Based out of Michigan, he also is a self-described "master of puppies." I'm not certain what "master of puppies" is or means, but I do know he is an excellent artist.

Acosta's projects have included Elvira, Twilight Zone and Blood and Gourd. These are all magnificent black and white creations. It always amazes me that an artist can make such an interesting story without color. I would think it would get boring quickly, but Acosta's art is amazing.

You can go to DaveDrawsGood.com for more information on Acosta. You can also follow him on twitter @DaveDrawsGood. You can also check out C2E2.com for info and updates on their next convention.

Dave Acosta and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

"Gene Simmons" at Wizard World St. Louis 2017

Wizard World is coming to Rosemont from August 23-26. I am featurinbg some of the fun I have had at Wizard World events over the years.

Cosplaying is a popular activity at Wizard World Comic Cons. There are many types of cosplaying, from simple to the extreme. Some people try to be as authentic as possible, while others only put a little effort into it. They all have fun though and it is entertaining to see them (although I am usually disappointed with the lack of people cosplaying as Aquaman).

At Wizard World in St. Louis last year, I saw a fan cosplaying as Gene Simmons. It was especially appropriate because Gene Simmons was the headlining celebrity guest. This "Gene" put a lot of effort and duplicated the real Gene quite well. He was a bit too short though to totally pass for the real Gene.

I was not able to get a picture of the real Gene with the cosplayer Gene. I am sure cosplayer Gene got a photo with real Gene at some point, but not when I was around. I did manage to get a picture with cosplayer Gene, although I would have preferred to have him standing for the full visual effect.

Cosplayer Gene must have been pretty tried by the end of the event, because other fans were constantly stopping him for pictures. I guess if you put that much effort into a costume, you should expect that and actually you probably want it.

This is the type of fun you can see or have at Wizard World. I continue to seek out Aquaman or even other unique costumes. Oh how cool would it be if someone cosplayed as Johngy!

There are still several Wizard World events happening this year across the country. Those cities include Sacramento, Madison, Springfield (MA), Austin and Montgomery. Check out WizardWorld.com for all for the info.

"Gene Simmons" and me in St. Louis, MO-April 2017.

On the Beat With John Everson at Flashback Weekend 2018

I first met author John Everson several years ago and have followed him since. John is a local horror author who has written many novels and more than 100 short stories. He is also an editor and a musician.

At Flashback Weekend 2018, I saw John and got a little update on his current project. The House By The Cemetery is set to be released on October 6. I'll let John tell you about it in the interview below, but I will add that it sounds intriguing.

John is a talented author and his books are always entertaining. I love a good horror story and John always delivers. He steers from the cliche to build realistic and likable characters in gripping, twisting stories.

Check out JohnEverson.com for more info on John, all of his books and especially his latest. Also, stay tuned here for an update when The House By The Cemetery is released. 

Friendly Encounters: Jenny McCarthy and Jonathan Cimaglio

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

I met Jonathan Cimaglio at a Chicago Bandits game, where he is a regular.  He is a major autograph collector (or "grapher" as they are now called).  I couldn't even begin to guess how many autographs he has.  I am envious of his collection, but I know he puts a lot of time and effort into it.
Last year, he scored a big hit, that still hurts.  He met Jenny McCarthy.  Jenny has been on my list for years.  I met her a few years back at the NFL Draft, but couldn't get a picture.
Jenny is a Chicago area girl.  She's a bit wacky, but she is likable.  At the draft, she was with Donnie Wahlberg.  She would have done pictures, but it was a bad setup and even a selfie would have been impossible.
On the bright side, Jonathan had to wait about 4 hours for the picture.  Jenny was at Binny's to promote her vodka and the crowd was huge.  I was covering the Rockford IceHogs on that day, but I am not sure I would have committed 4 hours to seeing her.

Jenny McCarty and Jonathan Cimaglio in Villa Park, IL-October 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #385 Mike Rowe & Pat Sajak

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our alphabetical romp through Major League Baseball.

Actor and tv host Mike Rowe was born in Baltimore, MD. As an Eagle Scout, Rowe read to blind students at the Maryland School for the Blind. Rowe credits this with sparking his interest in narrating and writing. Rowe earned his Celebrity Jersey Card while throwing out a pitch for his beloved Orioles. I bet that wasn't a "dirty job."

Born and raised in the Chicago area, Pat Sajak was a teenage disc jockey and also performed that duty in Vietnam. In 1981, Merv Griffin wanted Sajak to replace the departed Chuck Woolery of Wheel of Fortune, but then-NBC President Fred Silverman was against it. Silverman was soon dismissed and Sajak has been the host ever since. With a streak like that, it only seems natural that Sajak wore Cal Ripken's #8, on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Buzz Lightyear at Motor City Comic Con 2017

It's no secret I have an odd fascination with mascots. I find them amusing conceptually and in reality. I guess today's feature is more of a cosplayer than a mascot, but I'm still fascinated by it.

Could Buzz Lightyear be a mascot for Toy Story? How is it decided if it is a mascot or a cosplay? Why do I care?

At Motor City Comic Con 2016, I saw this Buzz Lightyear, which brings up even more questions. Is a good cosplayer one who makes an elaborate costume or can it be a full-body store bought ensemble? Would climbing into such a costume be considered any less of a cosplay than spending hours making a costume or applying makeup and fixing hair?

I don't know the rules or etiquette of cosplay. I think I need to talk to cosplayer extraordinaire Rob Fury of the Age of the Geeks.

Maybe I shouldn't think so much. Maybe I should just go back to being fascinated by any such costumed person, whether it is a mascot or a cosplayer, whether it is a self-made effort or a fully-assembled costume.

In any case, I liked the Buzz I saw at MCCC. In a room full of The Joker and other current trendy characters, it was cool to see something a little older. Now if I could only see more Aquamen!

Buzz Lightyear and me in Novi, MI-May 2017.

Susan Lulgjuraj at The National 2017

Susan Lulgjuraj is better known as "Sooz" and she had been on my "want to meet" list for years.  I finally got to meet her last year at The National, but it was almost by accident.

Sooz is the Marketing Communications Manager at The Topps Company, a dream job for us trading card enthusiasts.  Prior to that she worked for Beckett, was a blogger and a writer.

I first became aware of Sooz during her blogging years (2007-2011).  She was quite popular, because she knew her stuff, was intelligent and was an excellent writer.  Basically, she was an ideal blogger.  I had followed her career since then and always wanted to meet her.

Last year, I was invited to cover The National Sports Collectors Convention.  I was asked to interview "an executive" from Topps.  I was happy to interview someone from Topps, the granddaddy of card companies, but when I realized I would be interviewing Sooz, I really was excited!  Not only would I meet her, I would get to officially interview her.  You can watch my interview with Sooz at On the Beat With Susan Lulgjuraj.

Of course, like always, after the interview, I thought of several better questions.  In the end, I am happy with the interview and happier to have met Sooz.  I am not happy with my hair from that day,. though.

Sooz was awesome in person, during the interview and in casual chat after it.  I really appreciate her time and consideration.  I also appreciate all of the entertainment she has brought me over the years.

You can follow Susan Lulgjuraj on twitter to keep up with her updates.  You might even be able to see her at The Natioonal, which starts today in Cleveland and runs through August 5.

Susan Lulgjuraj and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Mike Carey and Chris Margetis at Flashback Weekend 2017

Flashback Weekend is returning to Rosemont from Friday, August 3 through through Sunday, August 5. It is a weekend of fun, celebrity guests and all sorts of events.

Unfortunately this year, I won't see my bud Mike Carey. That's the bad news. The good news is he can't be there because he is working on his upcoming movie.

We talked to Mike and Chris Margetis at last year's Flashback Weekend and they spoke a bit about the movie project. You can watch that interview at On the Beat With Mike Carey and Chris Margetis at Flashback Weekend. 

Mike and Chris are super excited about this movie and so am I. They promised to give me updates and possibly allow me on set if we can work it out. They know I'll be there if I can. I wouldn't miss that.

While I will miss not seeing Mike and Chris, I am looking forward to all of the other celebrities, friends, events and more at Flashback Weekend. I will also be thinking of my buds and wishing them well as their movie project develops. I look forward to covering it right here.

Check out FlashbackWeekend.com and the Flashback Weekend Facebook page to see who is appearing this year and what events are happening. I'll be there "On the Beat" and I hope to see may friends.

Mike Carey, Chris Margetis and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Malcolm McDowell at Flashback Weekend 2016

Flashback Weekend is returning to Rosemont from this Friday through Sunday. It is a weekend of fun, celebrity guests and all sorts of events.

Cuzz Gekas and I met legendary actor Malcolm McDowell a couple years ago. McDowell costarred in Clockwork Orange in the early part of his lengthy career. Well over 100 movies later, Malcolm is still going strong.

I have heard from a few fans that he was a bit gruff, but I think they were just intimidated by his presence. The man is a great actor and carries himself with quiet dignity. He silently demands respect (and he totally has earned it). Whenever I met Malcolm, including at Flashback Weekend with Cuzz, he was awesome. He was friendly and as talkative as could be in the setting. Every meeting with him was a positive one.

I always look forward to Flashback Weekend. It is filled with actors, authors, creators and other interesting people. I have met so many famous and great people (like Malcolm), as well as gaining several friends. It's really like a friend reunion with celebrity guests invited.

Check out FlashbackWeekend.com and the Flashback Weekend Facebook page for more info and updates. Malcolm probably won't be there this year, although you never really know. Cuzz and I will be there and "On the Beat" all weekend.

Malcolm McDowell, Cuzz Gekas and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2016.