Celebrity Jersey Cards #420 Nikki & Brie Bella

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Being in WWE WrestleMania season, I present two wrestlers repping a legendary NBA rivalry.

Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace was born 16 minutes before her twin sister Brianna, but they rose to stardom together in the WWE as the Bella Twins. Nikki Bella has other familial wrestling ties, including stepfather John Laurinaitis and husband Daniel Bryan. Nikki is a 2x WWE Divas champ. For her Celebrity Jersey Card, she is shown wearing #44, which was worn by several Celtics stars, including Paul Westphal, Danny Ainge and Rick Fox.

Brianna Monique Garcia-Colace followed her twin sister into the world, but grew to fame with her in the WWE. She won the WWE Divas title once, but has been a fixture on the main event scene for most of her career. She seemingly is split from her former fiance John Cena, although rumors persist it is a storyline. For her Celebrity Jersey Card, Brie is sporting the Lakers #24, worn very famously by Kobe Bryant.

Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You Natalie Hernandez

The Chicago Bandits lost another veteran when Natalie Hernandez recently announced her retirement. Then there were none. Natalie was the last of the Bandits remaining from my first year covering the team.
Natalie joined the Bandits after a great career at UIC. A versatile player, Natalie worked very hard to earn her place on the team. She became an excellent NPF player and a fan favorite.
Undrafted and earning her spot on the Bandits via an open tryout, Natalie is one of the biggest success stories ever in the NPF. She showed players from smaller schools could make it. She showed you can make it without being drafted. Natalie gave hope to many young players who might not be playing for major softball programs.
I interviewed Natalie every season, but my favorite interview with her came from Kenzie Parker, Nat's biggest fan. The Parker family lives in Michigan, but they closely follow the Bandits and Natalie and make it out here for a few games every season. Kenzie has submitted questions for my interviews, but this was her first time as the interviewer. Kenzie did a great job and Natalie was very gracious in making time for this.
That interview can be found at On the Beat With Natalie Hernandez. You can also see the rest of my interviews with Natalie and the Bandits on the Bandits playlist on the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel.
Natalie will continue in her role as an assistant softball coach at Transylvania University in Ohio. She has a bright future in coaching, but she will do well no matter what career path she follows.
I really appreciate Natalie's time, consideration and friendship over the years. She will be missed on and of the field.

Natalie Hernandez and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2014.

Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You to Megan Blank

Like yesterday's featured player Lacey Waldrop, Megan Blank, another longtime favorite Chicago Bandit has retired. It ws a tough week for Bandit Nation.

Megan was a star at the University of Iowa, before being drafted by the Bandits in 2015. Again like Lacey, Megan was a key part of two NPF championships.

Megan was a versatile and dependable player. She was solid at 3rd or 1st base. She was a team leader through actions. She didn't rab many headlines, but she was always one of thebest on and off the field. On my road trip to Akron a few years ago, she was one of my "picks to click" and she came through with a big game.

Her parents (Jim and Marcia) were frequently at the games. A special thanks to them to a very awesome gesture. After watching one of my interviews with Megan, where I expressed my search for a Megan Iowa bobblehead, Jim sent me a message offering one. It proudly sits on my bookshelf among my other NPF memorabilia. That was a very nice gift and I greatly appreciated it.

I also appreciated the friendship on the Blank family including Megan. They were always friendly and up for a little softball talk.

I think Megan will end up coaching somewhere. Currently, she does instruction and clinics. I hope our paths cross again and I will be following her career wherever it takes her. I wish her great luck and happiness and I thank her for her time and consideration while here.

You can check out my first interview with Megan at On the Beat With Megan Blank. My other interviews with Megan are there, too, as well as all my interviews with the Bandits over the years. Also, check out ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the 2019 team!

Megan Blank and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You Lacey Waldrop

It is always bittersweet when a favorite player retires. I am very happy for Chicago Bandits pitcher Lacey Waldrop as she continues her coaching career with Duke University, but I am going to miss her around Rosemont.

Born in Virginia, Lacey was a star pitcher at Florida State University. She was selected 3rd overall by the Bandits in the 2015 NPF draft. She was a key part in winning 2015 and '16 NPF championships and she was a popular player in Rosemont and throughout the league.

I have had the pleasure of knowing and covering Lacey during her 4 seasons in Chicago. She was always fun and friendly off the field and a fierce competitor on field. She had deep faith and credited that for her ability to balance softball competition with other parts of life.

Lacey impressed me right from the start. She was always a good interview. I also am proud to own a jersey of hers, which hangs in my place.

Life goes on though and Lacey has been planning for her post-playing career. She has been the assistant softball coach at DUke and I think she is going to eventually make a great head coach.

I want to thank Lacey for her time, consideration and friendship during her time here. She is a class act and a true professional.I wish her well at Duke and beyond and I hope our paths cross again somewhere. I'll be following her career and rooting for #13.

You can check my first interview with her at On the Beat With Lacey Waldrop. The rest of my interviews with Lacey are also there, as well as all of my other interviews. Also, go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the team.

Lacey Waldrop and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

On the Beat With Franco at C2E2 2019

At C2E2 2018, I had the pleasure of interviewing comics artist and writer Art Baltazar. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Art Baltazar at C2E2 2018. This year, at C2E2 2019, I interviewed his Aw Yeah Comics store partner and fellow comic book writer/artist Franco Aureliani (usually known simply as Franco).

Franco is the artist and co-writer with Art Baltazar of Tiny Titans. The two creators won the 2009 and 2011 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids. The pair won another Eisner in 2014 for Best Publication for early readers with Itty Bitty Hellboy,

Franco has a fantastic artist and is very popular on the comics scene. His resume and portfolio is quite impressive as you can see on ComicBookDB (the Comic Book database).

Franco also partnered with Sara Richard on The Ghost, The Owl. I listed The Ghost, The Owl in Great Reads for Global Traveler magazine. As I state in the interview, while The Ghost, The Owl might be aimed at kids, I find it immensely entertaining. The text goes perfectly with the artwork. It is a beautiful marriage and I was mesmerized the first time I read it. After the interview, I asked Franco to sign it. Now I need to add Sara to it.

In the interview below, w talked about his start, The Ghost, The Owl, Aw Yeah Comics and more. Due to the nature of a convention, the audio is a bit rough at times. (I also need to get better equipment.) Still, it gives a great feel of the action at C2E2 and it allows me to direct you to other places to learn more about this talented creator.

I also had a little fun with Franco at the very start of the interview. Thankfully, Franco rolled right with it. You can clearly see I am having a blast in this interview. I am a big fan of Franco and interviewing him was a real honor and pleasure.

Thank you to Franco for his time and consideration and also for his beautiful work and for allowing me to have a lot of fun in this interview. Thanks, too, to the fine folks at C2E2 for the hospitality and access.

Be sure to follow Franco on twitter also follow Franco on Facebook to get updates and more fun stuff. You can also check out AwYeahComics.com.

On the Beat With Rob Schamberger at C2E2 2019

When I saw artist Rob Schamberger was appearing at C2E2, I immediately contacted him about an interview. I have been a fan of the WWE Artist in Residence for a long time and I had him on my Interview Wish List" for a while. Rob graciously agreed to give me a few minutes of his time.

Rob has been creating masterpieces for more than two decades. His work features bold colors and unique color combinations. His style meshes well with the world of pro wrestling, with its colorful characters and superhuman bodies.

Being the WWE Artist in Residence is quite an accomplishment. To be embraced and featured by a megacompany like the WWE speaks volumes on Rob's success and popularity.

Of course, one of my favorite pieces of Rob's is his Roddy Piper art. One of the most recent excellent works Rob has created features my old pal Sarah Logan and the Riott Squad (formerly Crazy Mary Dobson from Resistance Pro). It is so cool seeing Sarah painted by Rob.

In our interview below, we talked about Rob's start, his favorite wrestlers (past and present), his work with the WWE and more. It was a lot of fun and I really appreciate Rob's time and consideration.

 

One of the many cool parts of Rob's work is that his paintings are all different. It's not like a cookie-cutter approach to every WWE star. This shows tremendous creativity. I really have gotten lost in his pictures while checking out his gallery. They are all simply beautiful.

I always try to get my favorite artists to do their take on The Johngy character. I think Rob is a little too big for that (unfortunately for me). I can dream though and in my dream, Rob creates a version of The Johngy which would fit right in the WWE universe.

After you watch the interview, go to RobSchamberger.com to learn more about Rob and to see a ton of his creations. You can go to WWE Shop to see his available merchandise.

Thank you to Rob for the interview. Thanks, too, to the fine folks at C2E2 for the hospitality and for facilitating the interview.

Friend Encounters: Trish Stratus, Amy Dumas and Ty Wasilk

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

At Days of the Dead Chicago 2018, my bud Ty Wasilk made the trek from Wisconsin to join Team Bestie. Although Ty is admittedly a huge fan of Charlotte Flair, he couldn't pass meeting Trish Stratus and Amy Dumas together.

Ty is a big wrestling fan in general. He probably has met more wrestlers than anyone I know who is not in the business. He had been looking forward to meeting these two Hall of Famers and the experience surpassed his expectations.

I have to agree with Ty on his assessment. Trish and Amy were awesome all weekend. I saw Trish sign a few extra items several times for her young fans and she always made sure to make each encounter special, as did Amy.

Trish and Amy had many great battles inside the WWE ring and it is cool to see them together now. They had a legendary rivalry and worked well together. Obviously they bonded over the course of their careers, hence the "Team Bestie" name. The best news is that both women appear to be healthy and happy.

I know hundreds of fans were happy to see them at Days and Ty might have been the happiest. I admit, I enjoyed seeing them together, too. I also admit it was fun seeing Ty and the other fans react to these legends.

Trsih Stratus, Ty Wasilk and Amy Dumas in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #419 Patrick Warburton & Donna D'Errico

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. With the start of the baseball season today, we will once again work our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

New Jersey native Patrick Warburton has a lengthy resume of acting roles and voiceover parts, but it was his performance as David Puddy on tv's Seinfeld which is arguably his most famous part. I had the pleasure of meeting Warburton at a Global Traveler event and he could not have been nicer or funnier. Warburton's Celebrity Jersey Card comes from his role in Angels in the Infield.

Born in Alabama, Donna D'Errico was a model and a Playboy centerfold, before landing a role on tv's Baywatch. While remaining active in acting, D'Errico trained to climb Mount Ararat in Turkey in search of the frozen remains of Noah's ark. She climbed Mount Ararat in 2012, but suffered a major injury near the end and returned home. She also produced a documentary about the experience. D'Errico earned her Celebrity Jersey card while playing ina charity game. She gets extra points for the hat and glove. Her #4 Angels was most famously worn by Bobby Grich.

Dana Faletti at C2E2 2017

C2E2 starts tomorrow and runs through the weekend. As I get ready for this great comic con, I am recalling some of my favorite monets from previous years at C2E2.
I first met author Dana Faletti at C2E2 last year. The native of Pittsburgh is another one of the talented authors I have met at comic cons.

Dana wrote and published The Whisper Trilogy, a young adult paranormal romance series. It is the story of good versus evil set on the teenage social scene with the main character of a teen angel. She also wrote Beautiful Secret, a family drama and has several other ideas roaming her active mind.

The mother of three was a real delight to meet. She gladly talked about her books, as well as her poetry, cooking, travel and more. I almost had the notion that she wrote just to be able to travel on her book promotion tours. Seriously though, she is very passionate about her writing, having left the business world to pursue her writing career. I'd say that wa a great decision.

Go to DanaFaletti.com for more info on Dana and her books. You can also follow Dana on Facebook and Dana on twitter.
Also go to C2E2.com for all of the info, including the celebrity guest list. I hope to see you this weekend.

Dana Faletti and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Erika Swanson at C2E2 2017

C2E2 returns to McCormick Place March 22-24. While I look forward to this big comic and entertainment expo, I am looking back at some of the fun times I have had at C2E2 over the years.

I met Erika Swanson at C2E2 2017. Artist, illustrator, designer and more, Erika describers herself as a "committed fangirl."

Erika creates custom logos and more for print, internet and other needs. She also does other non-business commission work. I find her range to be fascinating. Creating unique logos and designs for others must be challenging. Erika's many creations are all beautiful, but all different. It clearly shows her versatility and talent.

Among her other fantastic work, Erika is the creator and writer at Bellossoms. The Belossoms series is all about encouraging youngsters to discover, explore and learn. It's cute, engaging and entertaining.

I really enjoyed meeting Erika and hope to see her at more conventions. I also look forward to seeing her future work.

Check out SimplyErika.com for more info about Erika. You can also follow Erika on Facebook and @VeryBrightErika on twitter. Also, go to C2E2.com for more info and an updated guest list. You can also follow C2E2 on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Erika Swanson and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Elizabeth Perez and Val Capone at C2E2 2017

C2E2 runs March 22-24 at McCormick Place. As I look forward to this awesome event, I look back at some of the fun I have had there over the years.

Of course, C2E2 is about celebrities, artists, creators, writers, comics and pop culture goodies of all sorts, but it is also about spending time with friends. Many friends have joined me "On the Beat" at C2E2 over the years. Sometimes, I just happen to run into friends, too!

Two of the coolest friends I have ever seen at C2E2 are Elizabeth Perez (aka Cuban Miss Elle) and Val Capone. I first met this pair at a Windy City Rollers roller derby game. 

I have written many times about my love for roller derby. It is an exciting, legitimate sport and Elizabeth and Val were two of my favorites.

While still great friends (roller derby creates strong bonds), their paths have gone into different directions. Elizabeth has gone on to teach skating, holding clinics and classes around Chicago and world-wide. She is also set to embark on a year long journey across the country with Lenny Gilmore. They will be living out of a van and teaching and spreading roller derby knowledge and love across the nation. You can follow their adventures at The Rollaways on YouTube. You can also see them on a future episode of HeroTV.

Val is as busy as Elizabeth, Val is still involved in roller derby, but in the announcing booth. She also does announcing for Freelance Wrestling in Chicago. When she has time, you can also see her at Wrigley Field, Disneyland or various WWE events.

I love these ladies and hope to see them again at C2E2. They won't be on the celebrity guest list (although they should be), but plenty of others will be "officially" appearing. Check C2E2.com for the celebrities and all other info.

Elizabeth Perez, Val Capone and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

David Herro at C2E2 2017

C2E2, March 22-24, is a few days away. As we approach this great comic con, I am recalling some of my favorite moments over the years at C2E2.

David Herro is a wrestling promoter from Wisconsin. I have attended several of his Great Lakes Championship Wrestling shows, including the awesome Blizzard Brawl events. David is a great guy and a #SuperFriend.

I have seen David several times at C2E2. Sometimes he is accompanying wrestlers and sometimes he is there or fun. David has worked with so many of the biggest names in history, he has become legendary himself.

The best part about David is he is always smiling. Truly one of the most positive people I know, David has a great life, but he has his share of battles, one of which is his continuing foot issues. Despite pain and limitations, David never complains.

He is also a great dad. It always makes me smile to see him with his teenage son Kal. I have watched Kal grow from a youngster to a young man who recently made his pro wrestling debut. Kal is growing up to be a great young person and David should be applauded.

This year, GLCW is having GLCW 4 Life on March 23, which will probably prevent David from being at C2E2 on Saturday, but I am hoping to see him on Friday or Sunday. It's always good to see him.

You can get all of the info on GLCW 4 Life at GLCW. Go to C2E2.com for all of the info, including the celebrity guest list. With a little bit of planning, you can go to both events and have a fantastic weekend.

David Herro and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Congratulations Jourdan Skirha Chicago Bandits Assistant GM

Last week, the Chicago Bandits announced that Jourdan Skirha was promoted to Assistant General Manager. It is a well-deserved opportunity and we are sure Jourdan will continue to do great things for the organization. 

A star softball player at Oak Forest High School, Jourdan went on to play at Drexel University. She started with the Bandits as an intern and worked her way up to Director of Game Day Operations. Popular with the fans, Jourdan always brings a lot of energy to anything she does.

I have known Jourdan from hanging in the bullpen area for the last couple seasons. It would be easy to say she has a fun job, and I am sure it is fun, but most people do not see exactly how hard Jourdan works throughout the game to create that fun. She is usually a blur of activity as she coordinates onfield activities between innings.

Last season, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jourdan, which can be found at On the Beat With Jourdan Skirha. We talked about her big home run for Drexel, her path to the Bandits and much more. It has been one of the most viewed interviews I have done with the team (I wonder if she used that stat as leverage in her negotiations for the new job?). We will definitely do an update interview with Jourdan this year.

Aside from our excitement for Jourdan, this is really a big deal for the league and for women. The Bandits have women at both the GM and Asst. GM positions. It's great to see more women in charge in the NPF. Additionally, it is good to see promotions coming from within the organization. Jourdan is the perfect fit and a great role model for young women. We wish Jourdan a lot of luck and we look forward to new and interesting things from her.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the team, including the schedule. Be sure to come out to see the team and make sure you congratulate Jourdan, if you can actually catch her when she isn't on the move.

Jourdan Skirha and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2018.

Friend Encounters: Melanie Cruise and Chazz Moretti at C2E2 2016

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities. With C2E2 coming March 22-24, I present a special C2E2 Friend Encounter.

Melanie Cruise and Chazz Moretti are two staples on the midwest wrestling scene. Melanie is a highly decorated wrestler, who has won titles and kicked butt all over the place. Chazz is the "agent to the stars," who has represented champions in many federations. They have shared the ring on many occasions.

Melanie was at C2E2 2016 on behalf of Comic Books Against Cancer, an organization raising awareness and funds for research programs through comic books. Chazz was at C2E2 as a comic book fan. I was fortunate enough to be there when the two were together at the event.

While C2E2 is full of celebrities, creators, artists, writers and more, there are also various causes, like Comic Books Against Cancer, that have booths to promote their efforts. There's so much at C2E2 words do not do it justice. You really need to be there. You might even run into Chazz, Melanie or other stars.

Check out Melanie Cruise on Facebook for all of her news and updates. You can follow Chazz Moretti on Facebook to get his schedule updates. Go to C2E2.com for all of the info on this year's event, including a guest list.

Melanie Cruise and Chazz Moretti in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #418 Rita Ora & Zayn Malik

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys.

Born in Yugoslavia, Rita Ora is a British singer, songwriter and actress. She gained success for being featured on a single by DJ Fresh. In 2014, Adidas announced a collaboration with Ora collaborated for Adidas Originals. Ora sports a Brooklyn Nets jersey for her Celebrity Jersey Card. Despite dating back to the 1967-68 season in the ABA, the Nets did not have a #8 until Eddie Gill until the 2001-02 season.

Born and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Zayn Malik is also a Bitish singer and songwriter. He appeared on The X Factor in 2010 as a solo act, but was eliminated. He was brought back with four others to form the band which eventually became One Direction. Malik left One Direction in 2015 to resume his solo career. For his Celebrity Jersey Card, Malik is seen with the jersey of the Miami Heat.

DePaul Blue Demons Win Big East Women's Basketball Tournament

I spent much of last weekend at the Big East Women's Basketball tournament. You can find stats and recaps on BigEast.com. I'm here to write about the experience. I also wrote about the experience online for Global Traveler at Big East Women's Basketball Tournament and on the Patch at DePaul Wins Big East Women's Basketball Tournament.
I admit, I was never a big fan of women's collegiate sports. Actually, I was never a huge fan of any college sports.
The real start of my journey into women's collegiate basketball started with the Chicago Bandits. I started covering the Bandits and really enjoyed it. That led me to the Northwestern softball team and later the DePaul softball team. I also really enjoyed those softball games, although sometimes it was a bit chilly, being that the games are played in April and May.
Last season, I saw the Big East Women's Basketball tournament was being held in Chicago. I applied for a press credential and somewhat surprisingly I was approved. My first women's collegiate basketball game was the Big East tournament. You can't start much better than that.
This season, starting with Marquette's Media Day, I closely followed Marquette and DePaul. Whether in person or on tv, I watched more games than I can count.
The Big East tourney was once agin in Chicago and I was once again in press row. Every seat at Wintrust offers great views, but my courtside seat was especially good.
After a weekend full of great basketball, it all came down to DePaul versus Marquette for the championship. I was one of many who predicted they would meet in the final.
I gave the slight edge to the #1 seeded Marquette, but the win would mean more to #2 seed DePaul in terms of their seeding in the upcoming NCAA tourney.
A large and very vocal crowd filled Wintrust. The proximity to Milwaukee brought many Wisconsinites to Chicago, creating a somewhat divided crowd.
Both teams started strong, but Marquette looked just a bit better. I found myself flip-flopping all game. I loved both teams. Knowing the lady athletes a bit, I didn't want to see any of them leave without the win.
Marquette started to pull away in the 3rd quarter, but DePaul kept it close. Every time it seemed like Marquette was in command, DePaul came roaring back. I realized I was watching something special.
With 5 seconds left, DePaul hit a hot and made a free throw to give them a one point lead. Marquette had one final chance, but the shot missed.
DePaul won and the crowd rushed onto the floor. I joined the celebration, congratulating the winners. I also congratulated Marquette coach Caroln Kieger and her players, because they had a great season and a fantastic tournament. They just fell a bit short.
The emotions of the players ran deep. I saw the joy from the Blue Demons. I saw the despair from the Gold Eagles. I saw exhaustion from both teams. I'm sure in time, both teams will also show great pride in this game.
I thank Marquette's Megan O'Shea and DePaul's Bob Sakamoto for facilitating my coverage all season. I thank both universities for their hospitality.
Women's collegiate basketball isn't done yet though. Next up is the NCAA tournament. If it is anywhere near as good as the Big East tourney, we are in for some awesome action. I will once again be seated courtside and I will be reporting back here and for GT and Patch.com.

Sara Richard at C2E2 2017

C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) is coming March 22-24 and I will be "On the Beat" as always. Leading up to then, I am sharing some of my favorite creative folks from previous years.

Sara Richard is one of my favorite artists and one of the very first I started to really follow. Right from the start, I was drawn into her beautiful creations. I even commissioned Sara to draw her version of the "Johngy" character, which proudly hangs in my home.

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy (although I probably am), Sara is just cool. I follow her adventures on social media and have seen her clean graves stones, sing karaoke, ghost hunt and other fun stuff. Her passion for life matches her passion for her art.

Last year, Sara's art was featured in "The Ghost, The Owl," a book written by Franco. A ghost girl, an owl, a swamp and other spooky elements come together for a fun story with incredible illustrations by Sara. On the surface, it is a quick read aimed at kids, but it is so much more. I have gotten lost in the free-flowing drawings and spent a lot of time engrossed in the book.

"The Ghost, The Owl" is available on Amazon and I am sure Sara has them at her appearances. Also, go to SaraRichardArt.com for more info about Sara. Hopefully, Sara will be at C2E2, but you can check the guest list at C2E2.com.

Sara Richard and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

AJ Lee at C2E2 2017

C2E2 is coming March 22-24 and I can't wait. While I look forward to this year's Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, I am recalling some of the fun from my many years at the event.

AJ lee had a relatively short career in the WWE, but her 6+ year stint was very memorable. She won the Divas title 3 times. Perhaps more important, she led the women's revolution. She rallied against the inequalities between the sexes in wrestling. Part storyline and part real, Lee spoke out against WWE owner Vince McMahon.

Lee also was vocal in her disdain for "divas." At the time, Lee was one of the best mixes of talent and beauty. If titles were won strictly on talent, Lee would have been a champ longer. Her stance, ability and personality made her very popular with the fans.

Lee ultimately left the WWE and wrestling shortly after her husband CM Punk left. By all reports, they are living happily in Chicago.

Both have made a few appearances and I have met both a few times. Granted my interactions with both have been in a comic con setting, but each went above and beyond to make the experience as special as could be within the limitations present at such events.

Go to C2E2.com for more info and an updated guest list. You can also follow C2E2 on Facebook for more frequent updates.

AJ Lee and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Scott Blair at C2E2 2017

C2E2 is coming March 22-24 and I will be "On the Beat" as always. Until then, I am recalling some of the fun I have had over the years at C2E2.

I first met Scott Blair years ago at C2E2. Scott was creating some beautiufl pieces with the women of wrestling. Sketching beautiful women, while discussing wrestling sounds like a great job to me, but of course, it does require legit work and talent.

Scott focuses mainly on digital painting, Basically, he scans his original drawings and digitally paints them. The results are amazing. In addition to wrestling, he has covered many areas of pop culture.

One of my favorite pieces is a recent one honoring wrestler Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart who passed away last year. Mainly using 4 colors, Scott captured the essence of one of the most colorful wrestlers of the era.

Scott's volume of work limits is ability to do commissions, but if you are lucky to catch him at a comic con, you might be able to get one. I definitely want Scott to do his version of the "Johngy" character.

Go to ScottBlairArt.com for all the info on Scott, including a lot of pictures of his creations. You can also follow Scott Blair Art on Facebook for regular updates and other fun posts.

Go to C2E2.com for more info, including the celebrity and artist guest list. Also, follow C2E2 on Facebook for more updates.

Scott Blair and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Joel Adams at C2E2 2017

C2E2 is coming March 22-24 and I will be "On the Beat" as always. As I look forward to C2E2, I look back at the fun I have had over the years at C2E2.

Artist Joel Adams is the son of the legendary Neil Adams, but Joel has carved an impressive career of his own. Joel has done work on many comic books, but perhaps is best known for his work on the King of the Hill animated series.

Being a second generation talent in any field has advantages and disadvantages, but the main thing is making your own path. Clearly Neil is a legitimate legend in the making in his field. His booth is easily one of the most popular at any comic con. Just looking over all of his cool work is enough to keep someone at the booth for a long stretch.

Go to C2E2.com for more info, including the celebrity and artist guest list. Also, follow C2E2 on Facebook for more updates.

Joel Adams and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Friend Encounters: James Azrael and Tony Feddeler

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

I took the picture for today's feature. My friend Tony Feddeler and I were attending Chicago Pop Culture Con, when we came across our mutual friend James Azrael and his booth for the HSPPA (Horror and ScFi Prop Preservation Association).

James was there promoting the HSPPA and also "It's Just A Game," a movie he co-produced. The movie centered on 4 teenage girls. The movie started with them exchanging scary stories, but it quickly spun off into a paranormal horror thriller.

James invited us to a special premiere, but I was unable to go. Tony did go and gave it a good review.

A couple weeks later, James sent me a private YouTube link for me to watch the movie. I reviewed it at Johngy's Beat Reviews "It's Just A Game" on the Patch.

In short, I really enjoyed the movie. I thought the young actors did a great job with a wide range of emotions. The movie relied on a lot of understated moments or subtlety. Instead of wild slasher moments, it went for a little less visual, but far more effective shots. The overall acting followed the same concept. The young actors stayed within themselves and the script. Instead of trying to steal the scenes, the actors looked even stronger.

"It's Juts A Game" won't win an Oscar, but I think it is destined to become a cult classic. UIt's the type of movie that will grow on you as time passes. I could easily see the actors at future comic cons for years to come.

It was fun hanging with Tony at the convention. I am not even sure where I first met Tony. It had to be either at a wrestling show, comic con or a Bandits game. Any way, I am happy to know Tony.

As the weather starts warming, my thoughts turn to future cons and Bandits games. I am sure I'll see Tony again and we will probably see James promoting again.

Until then, check out the HSPPA on Facebook. You can watch the "It's Just A Game" trailer on YouTube and and follow "It's Jus A Game" on Facebook.

James Azrael and Tony Feddeler in St. Charles, IL-November 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #417 Boris Becker & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today we feature two legendary athletes out of their sport.

Born in Switzerland, Boris Becker grew up to be a tennis legend. He has won titles and tournaments all over the world. Becker won 15 titles and achieved a high ranking of #6 during his career. Now retired, he lives within walking distance from Wimbledon. For his Celebrity Jersey Card, Becker is wearing a #86 Maple Leafs jersey. No Leaf has worn that number and I am unaware of the significance. Becker's first Wimbledon title was in 1985, but who am I to question a legend?

Lew Alcindor was born in New York City and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar early in his NBA career. The Hall of Famer was a 6x MVP and won 6 NBA championships (one with the Bucks and 5 with the Lakers). For his Celebrity Jersey Card, Abdul-Jabbar wore his familiar #33, which waqs most notably worn with the Kings by Marty McSorley.

Cards That Never Were: Eric Semborski 2017-18 Upper Deck

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 borrowed from far too many other to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.
The NHL has a unique system, where every team has an EBUG (Emergency Backup Goalie). This person is not on the active roster, nor is he paid. He only dresses in a rare situation when a goalie or multiple goalies are injured and a replacement cannot be recalled from teh minors or signed in time for a game. The EBUG rarely gets into a game, but it is an exciting situation, especially for the EBUG.
Eric Semborski served as an EBUG for the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks duering the 2016-17 season. Semborski was a programs coordinator and youth hockey coach at the Philadelphia Flyers’ practice facility.
Semborski almost got into the game when he was an EBUG with the Flyers. He was inserted into the game with about a minute left, but the referee disallowed it since the goalie wasn't injured. Semborski happily stayed on the bench for his stint as an EBUG with the Hawks.
Just because he never got into a game doesn't mean he should have been ignored by the card manufacturers. I rectified the omission by creating an Upper Deck card for Semborski.

Jenevieve Broomall at C2E2 2017

C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) is coming March 22-24. As I look forward to this great event, I am recalling some of the fun moments from my many years of covering C2E2.

Jenevieve Broomall is one of my regular stops at any comic con she works. A self-taught artist and a cover illustrator, Jenevieve works primarily with pencil and ink. She also does some work with color. She has worked with Valiant, Coffin Comics, Zenescope, Devil's Due Publishing and many others. While Jenevieve is probably most known for her work with female characters, she also loves drawing monsters and plenty of other subjects.

Jenevieve didn't start seriously drawing until the birth of her first daughter. She states a desire to go into comics to set an example for her daughters and others.

She has a huge gallery of her creations on her site and social media. I think my favorite is a self-drawing. Even the title, a fun play on her name, works well.

Check out Jenevieve's site for more info and to see a lot of her beautiful work. You can also follow The Art of Jenevieve on Facebook and Jenevieve on twitter.

Go to C2E2.com for more info and an updated guest list. You can also follow C2E2 on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Jenevieve Broomall and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Dirk Manning at C2E2 2017

C2E2 is coming back to Chicago March 22-24 and I cannot wait. As I type this looking forward to the event, I am sharing some of my favorite moments over the years at C2E2.

Dirk Manning is one of my all-time favorites on the comic con scene. I am also proud to call him a friend.

Dirk is the writer/creator of the "Tales of Mr. Rhee" comic series. Mr. Rhee has been described as tortured and conflicted. He also seems to see clearly in a world of trouble. He works to stop the "monsters and nasties" of the world, while navigating through life.

Among his other works is "Write Or Wrong," his inspirational guidance column. Aimed at comic book writers, it contains advice, tips, networking and more.

I also have to mention his interest in wrestling. Within my several interviews with Dirk, I usually squeeze in a little wrestling talk. Dirk is a knowledgeable fan with good insight and opinions.

Dirk has been announced as a creator guest for this year's C2E2. I'll definitely be spending time at his booth and encourage everyone to check out his work. You might also bring an ice cream cone for him.

Check out DirkManning.com for all of the info on Dirk. Also, follow Dirk on Facebook and Dirk on twitter. Go to C2E2.com for more info on this year's event.

Dirk Manning and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

CM Punk at C2E2 2017

Few wrestlers have ever been as polarizing as CM Punk. He was the darling of fans while he wrestled on the indy scene and into his early run in the WWE. As he rose to the top, detractors started coming out (as usual unfortunately). When he walked away from the WWE and then joined the UFC, most fans were ready to lynch him.

I find it amusing. I also find it impressive that he walked away from a profession he loved (at least at one point) and pursued another path. He had enough money and he has the right to do what he wants. He doesn't have to live for the fans. He owes the fans nothing.

I have met and talked to him several times at comic cons. He has always been extremely cool in those encounters. I always acknowledge that people will say he should be nice at those events, but it isn't so with every celebrity and Punk goes above and beyond within the constraint of the situation.

Maybe he is a jerk in other situations. I don't know, as I have never met him casually. I can only judge him from what I have experienced. In those instances, he has been great.

Of course, I would love to see him go back to the WWE. I think it would be a huge event and a big paycheck for him. I applaud and respect him even more though, because if he isn't going back, he is passing on that for his own reasons. It isn't all about money and prestige.

CM Punk and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Jerry "The King" Lawler at C2E2 2017

C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) is coming to McCormick Place March 22-24. As I look forward to C2E2I share some of my favorite moments over the years there.

When I was younger, I mostly knew of Jerry "The King" Lawler through wrestling magazines. Lawler wrestled mostly in the south. He would occasionally wrestle in Texas (with the Von Erichs) or in the AWA (in Minnesota). Lawler wrestled mostly in companies that were not televised nationally.

Of course, Lawler gained some national exposure from his feud with Andy Kaufman. As entertaining as that was, it was not Lawler's best work in the ring.

Much later in his career, Lawler joined the WWF/E as an active wrestler. He had some big matches and feuds, but he was a bit past his prime. His best work in the WWE came while announcing. The man was gold on the mic.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Lawler several times. He was a class act. Lawler is a combination of old school and new era. He has the mindset and personality of the older wresting legends, but he is capable of fitting in with the new generation of wrestlers and fans. Plus, anytime I can pose with a crown, I will!

At C2E2 2017, Lawler and writer Michael Kingston were kind enough to do a Johngy's Beat promo, which is at Jerry Lawler and Michael Kingston Love Johngy's Beat. Go to HeadlockedComic.com for more info on this pair and their comic projects. Also, go to C2E2.com for more info, including the guest list.

Jerry Lawler and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Friend Encounters: Marshall Crenshaw and Chris Bejcek

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

Chris Bejcek is one of the many great people I have met through my association with the Chicago bandits. Chris is a longtime fan and can usually be found behind home plate at the games.

On the rare day that he misses a Bandits game, he is probably at a concert. I believe Chris has been to more than 1,000 concerts. That's an impressive number, but I wonder if it is more than the number of Bandits games he has attended. I bet the totals are close.

Marshall Crenshaw began playing guitar at the young age of ten. He played in bands throughout high school. In the late 1970's, he played John Lennon in the musical Beatlemania. Crenshaw has been delighting audiences ever since, including a performance in Chicago last year, where Chris met him.

I enjoy following Chris on social media, seeing all of the musical performances he attends. Even better though, is seeing Chris in person at the Bandits games. The Bandits begin play in a couple months and I am sure Chris will be there as always. In the middle of a long offseason and winter I look forward to seeing Chris and the other members of Bandit Nation.

You can get all of the info on the Bandits at ChicagoBandits.com. You can also follow the Bandits on Facebook.

Marshall Crenshaw and Chris Bejcek in Chicago, IL-April 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #416: John Mayer & Selena Gomez

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. We check in with a couple musicians honoring their hardwood favorites.

Born in Connecticut, John Mayer rose to fame in the early 2000's. Despite his mass popularity, Mayer has been known to make surprise free appearances at small venues, much to the delight of the patrons. For his Celebrity jersey Card, Mayer wore #1 for the OKC Thunder. Nobody actually wore that number for OKC, since it was retired for Gus Williams, who played for the Seattle SuperSonics, predecessors of the Thunder. 

 A native Texan, Selena Gomez first appeared on television on Barney & Friends and later on Wizards of Waverly Place. Despite her young age, Gomez has built an impressive acting and singing resume. She showed her Texas roots by wearing a San Antonio Spurs jersey at a concert to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card. The #1 was worn most notably by Rod Strickland and currently by Kyle Anderson.

Mascot Week: Benny the Bull

This is Mascot Week.  All week. I shall be featuring some of my favorite mascots.

Debuting in 1969, Benjamin T. "Benny" Bull is the dean of Chicago sports mascots. Benny was named after Ben Bentley, the Bull's first Public Relations Manager and Stadium Announcer.

The current version of Benny was introduced in 2004. Unlike his predecessors, he lacks a tail, which allows him to do more athletic stunts. In 2013, Forbes named Benny the most popular mascot in sports.

Benny proved he is not sexist, when I saw him cheering for the WNBA Chicago Sky last season. Maybe he was hoping they had a cute lady mascot, but unfortunately for him, the Sky's mascot is Sky Guy. Still, Benny had a great time entertaining all, including this reporter.

Benny the Bull and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2017.

Mascot Week: Southpaw

This is Mascot Week.  All week. I shall be featuring some of my favorite mascots.

I fully admit I am not a huge fan of the White Sox, although I have warmed up to them a bit over the last couple years. My interest in the team seems to come and go.

That doesn't stop me from having interest in Southpaw. I think he's the best mascot they have ever had.

Like a lot of mascots, Southpaw's species is unknown, but he is listed as "a fuzzy green dude." Hi favorite food is ants on a log, but not real ants, since he is not an anteater.

His name derives from his southside birth and his left-handedness. He made his major league debut on June 13, 2004. Southpaw is a friendly sort and states that he is buddies with all other mascots. In fact, I have seen him hanging out with other mascots several times, including at Swiper's annual birthday celebration at the Chicago Bandits ball park.

The White Sox mascot history isn't good. They hired the marketing team that created the Phillie Phanatic to design mascots and they developed Ribbie and Roobarb. Ribbie was an anteater and Roobarb was undetermined.

The new mascots signaled the end of Andy the Clown, a fixture at White Sox games for years. The Sox reversed that decision, but limited his action. It was a bit unpleasant. The new mascots were pretty unpopular with everyone and were eventually retired in 1988.

It was odd that mascots were so critically viewed. I have an odd fascination and soft spot for mascots, yet I didn't even like those two.

Fortunately, Southpaw came along and has been very popular with fans. I know I definitely like the big green fuzzy dude!

Southpaw and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2017.