Celebrity Jersey Cards #434 Brutus Beefcake & The Warlord

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Ed Leslie first gained real fame as Brutus Beefcake in the WWF. It was the WrestleMania III match between Roddy Piper and Adrian Adonis when he gained "The Barber" nickname,. by shaving the head of Adonis. Beefcake had a lengthy and successful career, culminating in his WWE Hall of Fame induction earlier this year. The Miami Marlins held a wrestling-themed night featuring Beefcake and several others. Beefcake brought his trademark barber shears. Beefcake's Celebrity Jersey Card featured the shears, as well The Warlord, another wrestling legend. This card bends the time continuum, as it is well before the Marlins debuted.

Florida native Terry Szopinski rose to prominence in wrestling as The Warlord. He wrestled as a singles competitor and also as part of The Powers of Pain tag team with The Barbarian. The Warlord will gain his WWE HOF induction sometime in the future. For now, he is celebrated on his Celebrity Jersey Card, along with Beefcake and Billy the Marlin. This card also went through the time warp, as it also precedes the debut of the Marlins.

Cards That Never Were: Phil Roof 1977 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 far too many to list, but I appreciate all of them.
Catcher Phil Roof made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Braves in 1961, playing in one game.  He returned to the MLB with the Braves in 1964, again playing one game.  Over the next several seasons, he would stay in the big leagues, playing for the Angels, Indians, A's and Brewers.  Midway through th 1971 season, he was traded to the Twins, which would mark his longest stint with any team.  He stayed with the Twins, until midway through the 1976 season, when the Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers and sent him to Iowa for a bit.  He did see action in 4 games for the Sox in 1976.  He was traded by the Sox to the Toronto Blue Jays in October of 1976.  He finished his career with one season with the Jays.
His first card was a 1963 Braves multi-player Rookie Stars card.  He followed that with multi-player Rookie Stars cards in 1964 with the Braves again and 1965 with the Angels.  He got solo cards from 1966 through 1977, which was a decent airbrush job of him as a Blue Jay.
That's a fairly good representation for Roof.  He could have gotten a 1978 "career capper," but I'll get back to that later.
Since he played for the White Sox, I really wanted to make a 1977 card that would reflect that.  I had been searching for a long time, but understood considering he only played four games with the team.  I finally found a decent shot and tried to colorize it.  It isn't the best, but at least Roof now has a baseball card home with the Sox.
I could make a 1978 card for him, reusing his 1977 OPC picture with the Blue Jays, which was not airbrushed.  I don't like to reuse pictures and the cropping would make it a pretty small image to use.  In either case, I am very happy with finally recreating Roof's 1977 card.

Lilith Lovecraft at Days fo the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead takes over Indianapolis starting next Friday and running all weekend. As always, I will be there.

I love a good horror host (or even a bad horror host). I find them immensely entertaining and fascinating.

Lilith Lovecraft is a horror co-hostess. She accompanies Dr. Destruction on his many media platforms.

Based in Wisconsin, Dr. Destruction and Lilith are on television, the radio and online. While they focus on horror-related subjects, they also feature paranormal topics and other interesting bits. They even delve into the world of pro wrestling.

Lilith is not your average horror co-hostess, however. Aside from her knowledge and love of all things horror, Lilith is a fan of wrestling. She has hosted a pro wrestling report and review. She knows her stuff for sure!

It can't always be easy sharing the spotlight and mic with a larger-than-life character like Dr. Destruction, but Lilith holds her own as a great part of the show. She's earned her place inthe world of horror.

Go to DaysoftheDead.com for more info and scheduling on the great events across the country. Also, you can follow Lilith Lovecraft on Facebook to get info and updates on this lovely horror icon.

Lilith Lovecraft and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Adolfo Dorta at Days of the Dead Chicago 2014

Days of the Dead returns to Indianapolis, IN July 5-7. While looking forward to this event, I am recalling some of my favorite moments over the years there.

While Adolfo Dorta never was one to brag, it is fair to say there probably wouldn't have been a Days of the Dead if not for him. It certainly would not have become what it is today.

As co-founder and co-promoter, Adolfo made DotD a special event. It wasn't just a horror con, money grab. Of course, it was about profit, but Adolfo and his tight crew, worked extremely hard to make sure everyone had a good time (and actually that prices were kept relatively low). This went from being just another comic con, to being a real destination for me. I loved seeing my friends there, as much as I enjoyed the celebrities.

At the end of last year, Adolfo announced an amicable departure from DotD. I am still sa that he is not part of this great event that he helped build, but I am happy for him and his choices. I am quite sure I have not seen the last of Adolfo on the convention scene.

While Adolfo will not be at this DotD in Indy, he will always be there in spirit for me. He has been a great friend and supporter and I would back him any time.

There will be plenty of great celebrity guests and other fun at DotD though. You can go to DaysoftheDead.com for all of the info.

Adolfo Dorta and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2014.

Justin Alcala at Days of the Dead Chicago 2014

Days of the Dead returns to Indianapolis, IN July 5-7. I will be "On the Beat" as always, but for now, I am recalling some fun moments over my many years there.

One of the cool parts of DotD is the newcomers who are there. I have met many authors and other creators who were just starting their careers. Justin Alcala is one such author.

While I would have come across Justin in my coverage of DotD, I was first alerted to him by my cousin Ernie, who is a cousin of Justin. Ernie mentioned that Justin would be at DotD and asked if I would be interested in interviewing him I absolutely wanted to interview him! I am always looking to discover and promote fresh creators. We talked about his writing, his influences, his start and much more in our interview at On the Beat With Justin Alcala at Days of the Dead. 

Justin describes himself as a novelist and nerdologist. He is the author of the novels Consumed, The Devil in the Wide City and Dim Fairytales. He also has written several short stories, appearing in magazines and elsewhere. Justin created The Plenty Dreadful universe, a deranged supernatural version of the modern world.

Justin is a talented young author. I appreciate Ernie thinking of me in pointing me towards Justin. I am sure Justin will have a long and successful career in creating fascinating stories and characters.

There are so many talented folks I have met at DotD. Justin joins the ranks of author Michael West, artist Kurt Dinse and so many more. I look forward to meeting new creators this year.

Go to DaysoftheDead.com for more info and scheduling. Also, check out Justin at JustinAlcala.com.

Justin Alcala and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2014.

Tiny Lister at Days of the Dead 2018

Days of the Dead Indianapolis is returning July 5-7. I have had many great times at DotD events and I am recalling some of my favorites.
Thomas "Tiny" Lister was an actor who made his way into the wrestling world. Usually, it works the other way. In either case, Lister found success in both arenas.
A national shot put champion in college, Lister turned to acting after an injury ended his football tryout in the United States Football League. Many years into his acting career, Lister landed a part in No Holds Barred starring Hulk Hogan. That led to two stints in wrestling (as Zeus, his movie role, and Z-Gangsta), both of which featured him batting Hogan.
Lister made a rare appearance last year at DotD Chicago, much to the delight of attendees. He fits in the horror and wrestling category and his line showed his popularity.
On a side note about Lister, he was born blind in his right eye due to a detached and deformed retina. Lister overcame the odds to have a successful sports and acting career.
Check DaysoftheDead.com for the celebrity guest list at the upcoming Indianapolis show. There will be plenty of horror-related guests and a few wrestlers thrown into the mix.

Tiny Lister and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

Friend Encounters: Roddy Piper and Tony Feddeler

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities. With Days of the Dead coming to Indianapolis, IN July 5-7, I present a special Days of the Dead edition Friend Encounters.

My bud Tony Feddeler has made several appearances here. Neither one of us can remember where we met. We know it was either a comic con, a Chicago Bandits game or a wrestling show. In any case, we did meet and have become friends, often haging out at any one of the above mentioned places.

At a Days of the Dead event several years back, Tony met "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, my favorite wrestler of all time. A wrestling fan, Tony has met many of the greats, but Piper has to be near the top of that list. I am sure Piper appreciated Tony's They Live shirt, because I heard him talking about it. They Live was Piper's first big movie outside of wrestling and it has become a cult classic.

That was pure Piper. He connected with the fans. People weren't just dollars to him. He did not believe in giving a quick signature and pushing the line at a high speed. Piper gave each person his special moment.

Piper passed away way too soon. He is missed by all. Tony had the chance to meet Piper and he took it. This is the lesson. Never pass the chance to meet your favorites, because you never know if you'll get a chance again.

Days of the Dead continues to bring in legendary wrestling guests. The next DotD is July 5-67 in Indianapolis, IN. So far, Kurt Angle and Sgt. Slaughter have been announced. Check DaysoftheDead.com for more info and updates.

Tony Feddeler and Roddy Piper in Schaumburg, IL-November 2012.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #433 Jerry Cantrell and Will DuVall

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue our season-long trek alphabetically through Major League Baseball.

Born in Tacoma, WA, Jerry Cantrell worked odd jobs and played music after quitting college. He eventually would become founder, lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist and main songwriter of Alice in Chains. Cantrell is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of his era. He stayed true to his Washington roots when he made an appearance at a Seattle Mariners game, thus earning his Celebrity Jersey Card. He gets extra points for wearing an official cap, too

William DuVall was born in Washington, D.C. and played in many bands before joining Alice in Chains as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. In December 2018, DuVall and Cantrell were tied at # 10 on Total Guitar/MusicRadar's "15 Best Rock Guitarists in the World Right Wow" poll. DuVall also joined Cantrell in an appearance at a Mariners game to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card. DuVall gets extra points for being the first person to appear holding his cd.

Snakey at Days of the Dead 2018

Days of the Dead Indianapolis runs Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7. As DotD approaches, I am looking back on fun times over the years covering it.

When I saw Snakey at Days last year, I was a bit apprehensive about holding him. I am not particularly afraid of snakes and (in all seriousness) I am reasonably sure the handlers would have the situation under control at all times. In other words, the odds were pretty good that Snakey wouldn't bite me or constrict around my neck. I felt pretty sure that I would not be in danger.

What I feared was a repeat of the last time I held an animal at DotD. Several years ago, Cuzz Gekas and I were at DotD Indy and saw a vendor with an alligator. For the same reasons I felt safe around Snakey, I felt completely okay with holding Otis the Alligator.

Cuzz and I held Otis as the photographer took our picture. Then it happened. Otis started relieving his bladder. Cuzz wisely extricated himself of the situation. I wasn't as smart or as quick. Otis proceeded to soak my shorts with a lot of his liquid body waste.

To their credit, th handlers acted as quickly as they could. They also refunded the small fee for the picture, but that didn't make me feel much better as I stood in urine-soaked shorts.

Fortunately, our hotel was close and I opted to return there for a quick shower and change of clothes. As a side note, I threw out those shorts, rather than attempt to wash them there or (worse) take them home for washing.

With the Otis memory looming large, I boldly approached Snakey under the supervision of his handlers. They handed Snakey to me and took the picture. Snakey started moving fairly quickly and I did request the handlers take over quickly. Honestly, I wasn't afraid he would hurt me. I was more afraid that he would fall and hurt himself or others. He was quite a big snake. All ended well though/

Although one good animal experience won't eliminate the bad memory of an alligator urinating on me, it did help. I also felt good that several youngsters saw me hold the snake and felt good enough about it to take a turn with Snakey.

I want to thank JGsReptileRoadShow.com for taking steps to restore my faith in animal attractions. The folks at JG's were actually very professionala nd fun. They took extra time with youngsters and also with those who were interested but scared.

I don't know if Days will have any animal vendors this year. If they do, I am sure I will try again and hopefully it will go well. Either way, I will report right back here.

Snakey and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

Gene Okerlund at Days of the Dead 2018

Days of the Dead is coming to Indianapolis, IN July 5-7. While I look forward to another great DotD event, I am recalling some of my favorite moments from the previous years there.

Last year, at DotD Chicago, Jayson Maples of HeroesandLegendsWrestling brought in "Mean" Gene Okerlund. The promoter of Heroes and Legends of Wrestling Fan Fest has been a staple at DotD, bringing in many of the greats of wrestling. I was super excited when he brought in "Mean" Gene.

I have met Gene previously, but he is always so much fun. He cut one of the funniest promos I have ever gotten (see video in the left column). At one previous event, he jabbed my friend and assistant Scotty Steiner about his shirt all weekend. It was hilarious.

This last Days with Gene was especially poignant. About a month later, right after the new year, Gene passed away at the age of 76.

I am glad I got to spend one last time with Gene. He is such a character. It was his idea to choke me in this picture. That's just the kind of fun you could expect from Gene. He was a true professional, but he was also capable of silly antics.

I talked to Gene about his son Todd, a former Olympic and New York Islanders hockey player. Gene lit up a bit as he talked about Todd and his other son Tor. He was very proud and happy for them.

Gene was the first announcer inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association HOF for his singing success in his younger days.

It was a pleasure and and honor to know Gene and to consider him a friend. He is missed greatly.

Thank you to Jayson for bringing in Gene and the other great legends of wrestling. I look forward to your special guests every show.

Go to DaysoftheDead.com for info on the upcoming show and all other events throughout the year. Also check out HeroesandLegendsWrestling to see the cool events Jayson runs.

Gene Okerland and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

On the Beat With Rachel Garcia of Team USA

Barely 22 years old, Rachel Garcia is already building an impressive softball resume. With the Olympics and her senior season at UCLA coming in 2020, she only looks to build that resume a bit more. You can see all of Rachel's accomplishments on her UCLA biography or her Team USA page.

When I get my media credential for Team USA's training camp in Rosemont last week, I had to make decisions on my interview requests. Obviously, I would have liked to interview the entire team, but time constraints made that impossible. As you saw over the last few days, I got interviews with Monica Abbott and Cat Osterman. I wanted two of the best pitchers ever an I got them. When looking at the rest of the roster, I saw some great names. I picked Rachel, based on her youth and her recent accomplishments.

Rachel's UCLA Bruins beat Oklahoma to win the 2019 Women's College World Series. She earned many awards and accolades last season and certainly was lanuched into the national spotlight. On Team USA, she is gaining world wide notoriety.

In the dugout, I encountered a soft-spoken, articulate young lady. As we talked, I kept thinking about how much talent she had and how much work she has done. She has earned everything. I wonder how it felt at that age? Did she even realize what she has done and is in the process of doing? If not now, she certainly will someday.

It was a real pleasure meeting and talking to Rachel. It was even better watching her practice, warm up and play over the weekend. I thanked her again when I saw her after the weekend's games. She was gracious and appreciative.

This concludes my round of interviews with Team USA. While the rest of the team would have been great choices, too, I feel very good about the three I got. Cat, Monica and Rachel are three o the best and are three wonderful people. I feel honored to have been a part of this weekend.

Thank you to the Cat, Monica and Rachel, Team USA Managing Director of Communications Codi Warren, the entire Team USA organization, NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf, Chicago Bandits GM Toni Calmeyn and Assistant GM Jourdan Skihra for facilitating these interviews and all of my coverage.

On the Beat With Cat Osterman of Team USA

When I featured softball legend Cat Osterman last Friday, I wrote that I hoped to get some interviews with Team USA. As you saw Saturday, I interviewed Monica Abbott. Today, I have my interview with Cat.

After a Hall of Fame career in the NPF and two Olympics, Cat retired from playing. She continued coaching however. After softball was announced for the 2020 Olympics, Cat made the decision to come out of retirement.

The interview reveals a little about Cat's decision and mindset about coming back. You can see the determination in her face and hear it in er words. Cat revealed how long she has been working at the comeback.

There are so many layers to the comeback. While Cat has stayed close to the game through coaching, returning to the field, especially at this level, is a totally different story. Would she be able to regain enough of her old form to compete for a roster spot on Team USA? Would she regret the comeback? She was putting herself out for everyone to see.

I am quite sure Cat had a certain level of confidence before she made her announcement, but I also know training and competing are different. She would never really know until she was pitching in real games.

Last weekend, Cat appeared in games against the Chicago Bandits and the USSSA Pride. In all honesty, she was not in her prime form, but she is close and she has a year to further sharpen her skills. Considering her path to get here, she is probably on schedule. Don't misunderstand me though. She is still pitching at an elite level, just not yet at her previous peak Cat level.

Of course, she is a bit older and spent time without truly competing. None of that matters when the Olympics come around. It's not about effort or relative success. It is about performance.

I write all of this to be objective about where Cat is now. I do believe she will be fine by July 202 for the Olympics. This is all part of the journey. You can't expect her to simply step back on the mound and be the best.

Cat and Monica are an elite one-two punch. They are arguably the two best pitchers ever. In short series, dominant pitching is hugely important. Monica and Cat have the ability and durability to log in a lot of innings.

You can follow the progress and get all of the news about Cat and her teammates at Team USA. Check back here for recurring coverage, including my interview with Rachel Garcia tomorrow.

Friend Encounters: Heather Furr and Alli Alberts

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

Today's feature is special for a couple reasons. First, this is about two friends, who are two celebrities (or vice versa). Heather Furr and Alli Alberts Hall of Fame Legends Football League players. We became friends during my many years of covering them on the Bliss.

This specific picture is special, too. Where are their uniforms? The ladies traded in their uniforms for more appropriate dresses considering this was taken at Alli's wedding. The ladies look even more beautiful than when in uniform.

Heather was one of the toughest and smartest players I ever saw and that includes men. Too often criticized for a lack of arm strength, Heather was a true leader at QB  A multi-time league MVP and champion, "The Rockstar" was a pleasure to watch, cover and know. She currently is a real estate agent in Chicago. Follow her at @HeatherFurr on twitter for real estate info and other fun stuff.

Alli is also a multi-time LFL champ. A threat on offense or defense, Alli has been a game-changer either way. Despite playing the rough game of football, Alli is a very skilled dentist. Go to @AlliAlberts on twitter for your dental needs and other stuff, too.

I have a lot of respect for these ladies. They gave me a lot of great memories on the field and some fun interviews and chatter off the field.

Heather Furr and Alli Alberts in St. Louis, MO-November 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #432 Jim Brown & Austin Carr

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Born in Georgia and a star at Syracuse, Jim Brown went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Cleveland Browns. He earned the HOF nod with just 9 seasons. That's how special he was. He then went on to a solid acting career. Brown's Celebrity Jersey Card comes from a special Cleveland Legends Night the Indians held.

Joining Brown on the Cleveland Legends Night was former Cavaliers star Austin Carr. Carr was on the Notre Dame team that gave UCLA their last loss before they went on their legendary winning streak. Carr was so popular in Cleveland, he was known as "Mr. Cavalier." On his Celebrity Jersey Card, Austin is joined by his fellow Cleveland legends Jim Thome and Jim Brown.

On the Beat With Monica Abbott of Team USA

Monica Abbott has done it all in the world of softball. She's won gold medals, championships, pitched perfect games, pitched no-hitters and owns a huge list of records. While still actively pitching in Japan and with the Scrapyard Dawgs (formerly of National Pro Fastpitch), Monica decided to add one more note to her resume. She will represent the country in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

I had the pleasure of watching Monica up close when she pitched for the Chicago Bandits. As a softball newbie, I had heard of Monica, but I wasn't all too familiar with her. I learned quickly why she is one of the all time greats. Monica could often be dominant.

In her NPF career, she was 126-41 with an ERA of 1.01. She had a season when she allowed .31 runs a game and in her "worst" season, her ERA was 1.55.

Monica is a bulldog. I once saw her pitch several extra innings in a game and asked her how long she would/could have gone. She looked at me like I was a bit goofy, when she determinedly said "as long as it took."

Obviously Monica is one of the greatest on the field, but she is also a class act off the field. She is dedicated to growing the game and giving back. In 2012, she established the Monica Abbott Scholarship Fund to pay it forward. More info is available at MonicaAbbott.com.

Monica and Team USA will be in Rosemont tonight and tomorrow to play the Bandits and the USSSA Pride. You can go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info.

Cat Osterman and Team USA

Cat Osterman has done it all on the softball field. She was a 4-time All-American at the University of Texas, a 2-time medal winning Olympian and a 6-time National Pro Fastpitch All-Star. Cat retired from pro ball after the 2015 season and is currently an assistant coach at Texas State University.

When it was announced that softball was returning to the Olympics in 2020, Cat put her retirement on hold and dedicated herself to making Team USA. As it stands right now, Cat will be on that team in Tokyo in July 2020. For now though, Cat is with Team USA in Rosemont, IL.

Team USA is in Rosemont at the Chicago Bandits facilities through the end of the week as part of the exhibition schedule. Tonight, Team USA plays the Bandits in a doubleheader. Tomorrow, Team USA plays a split doubleheader. The first game is against the USSSA Pride and the second is against the Bandits. On Sunday, Team USA faces the Bandits again to close out their stay in Rosemont.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Cat back in 2014, when she was pitching for the USSSA Pride. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Cat Osterman. It was such a thrill to talk to Cat. She is a great person, in addition to being one of the all-time great pitchers.

Along with Cat, I have had the honor of interviewing Jennie Finch and Monica Abbott. The three of them are possibly the three best pitchers ever. Team USA featured two of those three. Monica joins Cat to play for Team USA.

Having Team USA play in Rosemont is a rare opportunity to get a glimpse at the future Olympic team. It is also the chance to see some of the best players in the world up close. Other great players include Rachel Garcia, who just won the NCAA title with UCLA.

This transcends just softball. This is history. I'll won't be in Tokyo to see the team perform, but I will be in Rosemont watching them practice and play exhibition games. I also hope to get a few interviews and some interesting stories. Check here for coverage.

Check ChicagoBandits.com for more on this series and the Bandits. Check TeamUSA.org to learn more about the Olympic softball team.

Cat Osterman and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2014.

Cards That Never Were: Nyls Nyman 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 to list, but I appreciate all of them. Actually today, I am featuring 2 Cards That Never Were that I did not create.
Speedy outfielder Nyls Nyman made his debut with the Chicago White Sox in 1974, getting 9 hits in 15 plate appearances and giving hope for the future. Unfortunately, in 1975 he slumped to .226 in 106 games. He appeared in only 8 games in 1976 and one in 1977 to end his major league career. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in September of 1977, but never made it back to the majors.
Nyman had Topps cards for 1975 (a quad pictured Rookie Outfielders card) and 1976 (his first and only solo card). I wanted to make cards for him for 1977 and '78, but finding quality pictures was difficult. Making it even harder was the uniform change. Unlike most times, I could not take an older picture and use it for the later cards, because the Sox went with a drastic change.
Nyman sat on my want list for a long time. Thanks to the work of two very productive and creative folks, I no longer have to make the cards. Below are the Cards That Never Were for Nyls Nyman, with proper credit to the awesome creators.
This 1977 Nyman card was created by David Jenkins of the Facebook group Custom Baseball Cards. It's a great Facebook group which features thousands of card creations by many talented folks. I even contribute on occasion.

This 1978 Nyman card was created by When Topps Had Balls. It's a fantastic site featuring hundreds of "missing" card creations.

Emily Carosone and the 2019 Cleveland Comets

At the recent series between the Chicago Bandits and the Cleveland Comets, I caught up with former Bandits player Emily Carosone. This was Emily's first time back to Rosemont after she was traded to Cleveland in the last offseason.

Emily had an outstanding career at Auburn University. She joined the Bandits and helped the team to the 2016 Cowles Cup championship. A solid 2nd baseman, she was a fine hitter with some pop. She was consistent and soft-spoken, but was certainly a big part of the team's success over her three seasons here.

Emily was part of the controversial trade that saw Sammy Marshall go to the Comets. It's unfortunate that she was lost in the shuffle a bit because of all of the backlash on that trade.

Trades happen in sports. Good players and well-liked players leave teams. That's just part of the game. Because she was a local budding star, Sammy got most of the headlines in that trade. Taking nothing away from Sammy, losing Emily was a big loss, as well, not just to the team, but to the fans. Excellent players and great people are not easily replaced and Emily is both. I just hated to see her be somewhat forgotten in the aftermath of that trade.

Fortunately (and expected), Emily received a big ovation on her return to Rosemont. Bandit Nation loves their own and once a Bandit, always a Bandit. Emily might be wearing different colors and we might be rooting against her team, but we will always have a place in our hearts for Emily. We appreciate all she did on and off the field.

The Comets will return later this season. You can get scheduling and other info at ChicagoBandits.com, as well as recurring coverage here.

Emily Carosone and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2019.

Brittany Cervantes and the 2019 Cleveland Comets

At the recent series between the Chicago Bandits and the Cleveland Comets, I caught up with Brittany Cervantes, who holds a special place in my memories. Six seasons ago, Brittany was the first player I interviewed at a Chicago Bandits game. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Brittany Cervantes.
Brittany  had a stellar career on the softball diamond while at the University of Kentucky. She continued thriving when she joined the Chicago Bandits in 2012. She was an ALL-NPF selection in 2014 and 105, won the Cowles Cup in 2015 and 2016, was named the 2015 Offensive Player of the Year and was named MVP for the 2016 Cowles Cup. "Cerv" was one of the most popular players during her time with the Bandits.
Brittany played for the Scrapyard Dawgs in 2017 and 2018. She just recently signed with the Comets (coming back to the NPF) as part of the relationship with Team Mexico.
Brittany is a real pleasure to watch and know. She is versatile and a true team player. She represents everything good about the nPF and is a credit to women's softball.
When not playing, Brittany is well into her coaching career. Currently an assistant at her alma mater Kentucky, Brittany is on the path to being a head coach. With her knowledge, personality and leadership skills, she will make a great head coach and I look forward to following her career.
It was just great seeing her back in Rosemont and back in the NPF. There is always something special about seeing former Bandits.
Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the Bandits, including schedules. Also, follow the NPF at NationalProFastpitch.com.

Brittany Cervantes and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2019.

Friendly Encounters: Danielle Zymkowitz and Sheri Samson

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

If there was a Chicago Bandits Hall of Fame, former player Danielle Zymkowitz would be a lock to be enshrined. Z played 7 seasons with the Bandits, being a vital part of the 3 NPF championships. She was the consummate player. I loved watching her play and I am grateful to have seen her up close for several seasons. I am even more privileged to have interviewed her several times.

I hated to see her retire, but she has been coaching in the collegiate ranks and that is where he immediate future is. I am happy to have related my total respect for her last interview as a member of the Bandits.

If there was a Bandits fans Hall of Fame, Sheri Samson would definitely be a first ballot inductee. Part den mother, part raving fan, Sheri has witnessed more Bandits games than anyone. Her constant presence at the ballpark is like comfort food for the softball soul. It's just good seeing her there every game.

Z appeared at a game last season and of course, greeted Sheri. It's a great picture which represents a lot of Bandits history.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on the team. Also, go to UWBadgers.com to follow Z's progress with the Badgers, where she coaches along with Kirsten Verdun, another former Bandit!

Sheri Samson and Danielle Zymkowitz in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #431 Jodie Sweetin & Emily Allard

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Jodie Sweetin rose to fame as middle daughter Stephanie on tv's Full House.Jodie overcame some personal problems and appears to be doing great these days. I had the pleasure of interviewing her a few years ago. That interview can be found at On the Beat with Jodie Sweetin. She was incredibly sweet, funny and very beautiful. Jodie's Celebrity Jersey Card comes from an episode of Full House.

Emily Allard was a star softball player at Northwestern. She joined the Chicago bandits and quickly became one of the best and most popular players in the league. Unfortunately, concussion issues derailed her playing career, but not her heart and spirit. Emily has poured herself into coaching and instructing. I interviewed Emily many times, including a full length one for HeroTV, which can be found at HeroTV2017: Episode 4 Emily Allard. This young woman is simply awesome. I will always have a place in my heart for Emily. Her Celebrity Jersey Card features her wearing the jersey of Robb Nen, one of her favorite players. Go to BeTheMomentumSoftball.com for more info on her softball instruction.

Death Wish With Gabe Baron and The Resistance

A couple weeks ago, The Resistance held Chapter VI Death Wish in Summit, IL.I had an up close seat as I called commentary with Gabe Baron for the first half of the show. You can watch the full show at The Resistance Chapter VI Death Wish on YouTube.

The Resistance has had six shows now and things seem to be settling into a nice groove. I'd say Death Wish was their best show yet.

I admit I was not very excited when co-owners Gabe and Jacques Baron announced The Resistance was going all hardcore. That style of wrestling isn't my favorite. With no offense to the competitors, I don't care to see ridiculous spots and unnecessary blood. Now, a few shows into the new hardcore approach, I am very pleasantly surprised with the product delivered. 

While the shows are labeled hardcore, it's that very definition which I need to rethink. During the commentary, Gabe explains it perfectly. Hardcore isn't just light bulbs and chair shots. It doesn't always involve blood.

Hardcore is a frame of mind. Hardcore is an attitude. Hardcore is Mad Man Pondo beating and stapling things to his opponents. Hardcore is also Resistance champ Shane Mercer giving hi all every time he goes out there. Hardcore is the Man Muffin Kody Rice having the agility to wrestle like a man half his size.

Only one of the seven matches involved lots of blood flow and foreign objects, yet the whole night was hardcore.

On commentary I have noted the split and flip-flopping of the fans. They are on their feet for most of the night, with a pretty even divide in their cheers. Many often also switch sides as the match progresses. This shows they appreciate the efforts of the wrestlers.

There are no major storylines yet, but the crowd is very into the action, because of the action. Ther is a little history between Mercer and former champ John Skyler, only because we saw Mercer's rise as a tag team champ. Their title match had everything you'd want in a match.

While I was apprehensive about the new direction, I am starting to change my mind. The Resistance isn't a blod-filled spotfest. It is smashmouth, excellent wrestling. It is hardcore!

Gabe Baron and me in Summit, IL-May 2019.

Portia Chellelynn at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2019 happens July 5-7. As i gear up for this year's event, I look back on some of my favorite moments at DotD over the years.

Portia Chellelynn has appeared at many DotD events. Sometimes she might be a brunette, while others she might be blonde. There might even have been a few other colors in the mix. No matter the hair color, the woman wearing it is just a real sweetheart.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her last year. That interview can be found at On the Beat with Portia Chellelynn. We talked about her name, her career, her projects and more.

Portia is an actress, director, producer model and also a mom of 3! She also was involved in pro wrestling, working with Frankie the Chi-Town Hitman.

Portia is a fantastic celebrity guest. She is very fan friendly. She seems to have as much fun at these conventions as fans do. You will always walk away feeling good after seeing her.

Go to PortiaChellelynn.com for more info. Also, be sure to check out DaysoftheDead.com for info on all of their shows, including celebrity guest lists and scheduling.

Portia Chellelynn and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Crystal Stevens and Bandit Nation

When discussing the Chicago Bandits, you must mention Bandit Nation. I am biased, but it is a fan group like no other.

Every team has loyal fans and fan groups. Everyone thinks they are special and they all are, but Bandit Nation has a unique relationship with the team.

Among other things, the group organizes and supplies post-game tailgating with the team. This isn't just fans eating hot dogs and Cokes together. These are all out themed events (Taco Night) that are well-attended by Bandit Nation and the team. It's not unusual to see the majority of the team hanging out at the tailgate well into the night.

One of the regulars of Bandit Nation is Crystal Stevens. Crystal is a huge fan of the team (a prerequisite for being in Bandit Nation). She has been known to get on umpires on occasion, but she is a real sweetheart. She simply loves her Bandits and doesn't like seeing them get shortchanged by bad calls.

Crystal is a big softball fan in general. It was always fun seeing her at Northwestern games. Friendly faces are always welcome in the stands and Crystal's is one of the friendliest faces you'll ever see.

Last season, Crystal had the opportunity to throw out a first pitch. Her first attempt was not very successful, but it was amusing (as it landed a few feet behind her). Ever the trooper, Crystal got right back on the mound and had a much better second attempt.

I greeted her as she walked off the field. I had to get a picture of her with the ball. Crystal was a great sport, as expected.

As the season starts tomorrow, I am sure I will see Crystal many times this season. I will also see all of the other members of Bandit Nation. It'll be like a mini-reunion the first game and then it will settle into the usual ribbing on each other and the opponents. It really is one of the highlights of any game for me.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info n the team, including schedules and news. Check back here for recurring coverage.

Crystal Stevens and me in Rosemont, IL_August 2018.

Kristyn Sandberg and the 2019 Chicago Bandits

Kristyn Sandberg was major involved in one of the highlights of my five seasons of covering the Chicago Bandits. I am sure the moment left a bigger impact on me than her. Usually a catcher, Kristyn was the batting practice pitcher when I stepped into the box late last season.

Thanks to Director of Game Day Operations Jourdan Skirha, I was given an opportunity to take batting practice after the Bandits finished their usual session. It didn't surprise me to see Kristyn as the pitcher, because I had previously seen her pitch bp. Honestly, I didn't care who pitched. I was just excited to step in the box.

While I didn't fare too well, I did manage to hit a few liners to right. This would indicate I was swinging late (as in too slow of a swing), but again I didn't care. This was a thrill and I soaked in every moment.

This is just one of the several game day activities the Bandits offer. To be honest, most of the batting practice sessions with fans involve much younger batters than me (as in kids), but I don't think there is an age limit. There are also team pictures, shagging fly balls and more. You can check ChicagoBandits.com for all of the info.

I appreciate Kristyn pitching to me.Although a bit out of the norm, I am glad she understood I just wanted the experience.

In her 8th season, Kristyn is the team veteran, but she shows no signs of slowing down. Last season, she was an ALL-NPF team selection. She had a career high in home runs with 10 and led the Bandits in rbi's with 31.

A great player at Georgia, Kristyen was drafted fifth overall in the second round of the 2012 NPF Draft by the USSSA Pride. She also played for the Pennsylvania Rebellion and the Texas Charge, before joining the Bandits for the 2018 season.

As a bit of trivia, Kristyn is not related to Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, despite sharing his number. too. The #23 is a family thing for Kristyn.

Check back here for recurring coverage of the Bandits. Also, check the Johngy's Beat Chicago Bandits playlist on YouTube for all of my interviews with the Bandits over the last 5 seasons.

Kristyn Sandberg and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2018.

Brenna Moss and the 2019 Chicago Bandits

The Chicago Bandits open their National Pro Fastpitch season this Thursday, June 6 against the Cleveland Comets. Technically, it is a home game for the Comets, although it is being played in Rosemont. Leading the Bandits and coming off of a great 2018 season is 5th year outfielder Brenna Moss.

Last season, Brenna set the team and league 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 resulting in being named the 2018 NPF Player of the Year.

After an outstanding career at Fresno State, Brenna was selected by the Bandits in the 3rd round (13th overall) in the 2015 NPF College Draft. Brenna has played in a whopping 167 games in her four seasons, while improving in batting average, on base percentage and stolen bases each season. When she isn't lighting it up on offense, she is a defensive whiz in the outfield.

I knew Brenna was extremely talented, but her last season was just incredible. It will be tough to repeat that type of success, but Brenna is a focused, dedicated player. I actually think she can be even better.

Brenna has grown into a real team leader and is definitely on of the most popular players in the league. She is arguably the face of the team heading into this season. She's a real class act on and off the field.

I had a great experience when I had the pleasure of watching a playoff game last season with Brenna's father. We were hanging out by the left field foul line, as close as he could get to Brenna. I loved the interaction between the two throughout the game. It was fun watching the game through his eyes and hearing a few stories.

It is common to see relatives of the Bandits at the park. The local folks are there often, but even the out of towners make a few trips every season. It is heartwarming to see the support system.

I will be "On the Beat" with the Bandits all season. Check back here for recurring coverage. Also, be sure to check out ChicagoBandits.com for more info.

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

Friend Encounters: Thomas Ian Nicholas and Nick Zambole

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

Thomas Ian Nicholas rose to fame as a youngster in Rookie of the Year. He forever earned his place in the hearts of Cubs fans with that role and he has remained close to the team ever since. I have interviewed Nicholas a couple times at various events. My first interview with him was in 2012 and can be found at On the Beat with Thomas Ian Nicholas.

One bit of proof of TIN's continued connection to the Cubs was his appearance at the Cubs convention in January. He was one of the most popular guests, too. That's where my bud Nick Zambole met him.

I met Nick at a Chicago Bandits game. Nick is tight with my other bud Jonathan Cimaglio. Cimags and Nick are diehard autograph collectors. I have witnessed them "graphing" many times at Bandits games. They must have well over a thousand autographs just from the National Pro Softball players. Cimags even has a Cimags YouTube channel, featuring a lot of autograph related fun.

Cimags moved to Minneapolis, but Nicj is still around. I hope to see both of them at some Bandits games, though. I am sure Cimags will make the trip and he will get Nick to go.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for info and scheduling on the softball team. Also, go to ThomaIanNicholas.com for info about the Cubs fan actor and musician.

Nick Zambole and Thomas Ian Nicholas in Chicago, IL-January 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #430 Jermaine Jackson & Robby Krieger

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Jermaine Jackson is the 4th oldest child and 2nd oldest son in the famous Jackson family. He literally grew up singing. Jackson has seven children, although none appear to be following him into the music business. Jackson earned his Celebrity Jersey Card as a fan at a Los Angeles Dodgers game. It begs the question if he caught a foul ball or if it was given to him. Jackson's #99 was most prominently worn by former slugger Manny Ramirez.

Robby Krieger has also been a musician since his early years. He gained fame as part of the Doors and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame with the group. After the Doors, Krieger continued to perform with other bands and as a solo artist. He performed the National Anthem at a Dodgers game to gain his Celebrity Jersey Card.

The "Or Else" Podcast: Mike Vinikour

Mike Vinikour got his start at Resistance Pro Wrestling with a reference from our good friend Mike Bucci. Mike was a regular presence at RPro behind the camera and behind the scenes in several roles.

Mike started as the photographer at RPro. He got those awesome in ring shots that captured the action we all loved. Along the way, Mike started helping in the booking area and eventually was a main booker for RPro.

Mike has an interesting story. He was around RPro from the beginning and he saw all of the changes. Unfortunately for Mike, he was involved in booking during the roughest time in RPro's history. He did the best he could under the circumstances. I would have liked to see what Mike could do with a full, consistent roster. and regular shows.

I know Mike is well loved within the RPro family. His work on all ends was certainly appreciated and respected. He helped RPro get through a tough period of transition and he also helped get The Resistance started.

He is one of the good guys and not just because he wore my shirt several times (although I do appreciate that). He loves video games, vinyl records, wrestling and photography, of course.

Tommy Else and I interviewed Mike as part of the Or Else podcast retelling of Tommy and RPro's history. As expected, Mike had some fantastic insight and some inside stories.

Check out our interview with Mike at Episode 34: Mike Vinikour Part 1 and Episode 35: Mike Vinikour Part 2. While you're there, check out the rest of the podcasts on the Or Else channel.

Mike Vinikour and me in Summit, IL-March 2015.