On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 06/28/2021

The Dallas Wings held an off day press session featuring Head Coach Vickie Johnson and players Marina Mabrey and Kayla Thornton. The play of Mabrey and Arike Ogunbowale was a major part of the conversation, but plenty of other topics were also covered.

Coach Johnson started by discussing the team's play in recent games. In winning three of the last four, the Wings have reached 8-8, their first time at .500 in a couple seasons. The Wings are now tied for third place in the Western Conference.

Next, Coach Johnson discussed the play of Mabrey and Ogunbowale, individually and together, as well as their impact on the team on and off the court. Both could be in line for All-Star spots and Mabrey could be looking at the Most Improved Player award.

Mabrey followed Coach Johnson by continuing the discussion about Ogunbowale. She also talked about being  a candidate for the MIP award. She finished by talking about her tole on the team. Whether off the bench or as a starter, Mabrey brings the same attitude and effort.

Thornton was last to talk to the press. She started by reviewing the season so far. Obvious;y at 8-8, she is happy with the success of the team. She then jumped back to the Marbey-Ogunbowale topic. They are important parts of the team on the court, on the bench and off the court. They have a unique chemistry and are great as teammates.

Thornton talked about her role as a team veteran. She is happy to give advice and help the younger players, but all of the veterans on the team do that, as well. Additionally, everyone on the team, including the vets, is happy to listen and take advice from teammates and coaches.

To end the session, Thornton talked about the importance of the final few games leading into the break for the Olympics. At 8-8, it is crucial the team continues to build on that momentum and not let up now. A strong finish to this part of the season is important.

Dallas started the season 1-4, but has turned it around, going 7-4 in their last 11 games. With a new coach and several new players, the team took a bit to come together, but they appear to be on the right track. The Wings return to action on Wednesday hosting the Chicago Sky. They also host the Sky on Friday, then travel to New York and Minnesota, before returning home for a final game with the Las Vegas Aces before the break.

Las Vegas, currently 11-4, is the biggest challenge in that group. The other teams are all within a game of even, which should translate to opportunities for the Wings. Ideally, the Wings win four of the five, but even taking three would be a good end to this part of the season.

That press session can be found at On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 06/28/2021. Check back here for my coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With Krysten Muir

Krysten Muir was a kicker on Tempe Marcos de Niza's football team. She was the first female to score a point in an AIA state championship game. Krysten made five of 10 field goal attempts and 98 of 112 extra point attempts for the Padres in 1015 and 2016. As impressive as all of that is, Krysten is doing something even more amazing off the football field.

In January 2021, Krysten was in a horrific car accident. For Krysten, it seems that was just another obstacle for her to overcome.

I had the honor of talking to Krysten about her football career, the accident, her recovery and more. Of all of my interviews, Krysten would certainly be one of the most courageous and inspirational, even if she eschews that type of praise.

Almost immediately after the accident, Krysten knew something was terribly wrong. As the realization of her paralysis set in, Krysten wasted little time in setting her mind on walking again.

Just a few months later, Krysten is making remarkable progress. She still has a way to go to reach her ultimate goal of walking unaided, but each step she takes now is one step closer to that goal, a goal she will no doubt reach.

In the interview Krysten admits she didn't think about the significance of being a female kicker on a football team. In the same way, I don't think she realizes yet the magnitude of what she is accomplishing now. She didn't view either as an insurmountable obstacle. Her mindset was always to just go out and do it.

Even if Krysten is too humble to see what she is accomplishing, her circle or family and friends see it and their support means the world to Krysten. A cousin set up a Go Fund Me page to help with Krysten's medical bills. Seeking help doesn't come easy for Krysten, but she appreciates the outpouring of love she has received.

Krysten's original goal was a career in physical training. Those plans are on hold a bit. Krysten admits she has been encouraged to look into motivational speaking. When I mentioned a possible book, Krysten joked she isn't great at chronicling her journey, but she wouldn't have to be. The actual steps would be secondary to her thoughts. Of course, Krysten has plenty of time to consider all possibilities. Right now her focus is on the finish line of walking.

I really enjoyed talking to Krysten and I asked for an update interview once she has reached her goal of walking. I want to celebrate that victory with her and share it here.. People like Krysten and stories like hers need to be in the spotlight. Krysten has a wonderful story and the best part is still to come.

Check out the interview at On the Beat With Krysten Muir. Check back here for our updates on this inspirational young woman.

Friend Encounters: AJ Lee and Tony Feddeler

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

Today I feature my buddy Tony Feddeler meeting former wrestler AJ Lee. Tony gets extra points for wearing the Johngy shirt.

AJ Lee was on a book signing tour. In Crazy Is My Superpower, AJ writes about overcoming obstacles in her life. Lee was misdiagnosed as a youngster, but eventually discovered she was bipolar. Lee went on to have a successful, although relatively short, career in wrestling. She married fellow wrestler CM Punk. The couple now resides in Chicago.

AJ has been vocal about her struggles and has worked with several organizations to promote mental health. Even during the height of her WWE success, AJ remained herself. She didn't cave to look like typical WWE divas.

AJ was and is an inspiration to young women and even old guys like me. Her book is a fantastic read.

I know Tony is a big fan of hers. I appreciate him wearing the Johngy shirt. Some might think he wore it to impress AJ. I am not going to go that far (although I won't argue against that theory).

Go to AJMendez.com for all the info on AJ and her book. I highly encourage anyone to read this book. It's a lot more about life than wrestling. Also, follow AJ Mendez on twitter.

Tony Feddeler and AJ Lee in LaGrange, IL-April 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #543 Jimmy Cefalo & John Lynch

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue working my way alphabetically through all MLB teams.

Born in Pennsylvania, Jimmy Cefalo was a star wide receiver at Penn State before being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1978 NFL draft. Cefalo went on to play seven seasons with the Dolphins, making it to the Super Bowl for the 1982 season. Cefalo jopined former teammate QB Dan Marino on a special night for the Marlins. Marino already had a Celebrity Jersey Card and now Cefalo joins him.

Chicago area native John Lynch starred at Stanford and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the third pick in the 1993 NFL draft. Lynch starred on defense for the Bucs for 11 seasons, followed by four with the Denver Broncos, on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lynch was also selected by the Marlins in the second round of the 1992 MLB draft. He never played for the Marlins, but he did throw out the first pitch in their history. He has since thrown out a few pitches for the Marlins and has certainly earned his Celebrity Jersey Card.

William Ragsdale at Flashback Weekend 2018

William Ragsdale is probably best known for his role as Herman on tv's Herman's Head. It was an interesting concept for a show. Viewers were let into Herman's thoughts. Yardley Smith and Hank Azaria from The Simpsons were co-stars. It was one of the first hit shows for the Fox Network.

Ragsdale also had a role on television which was interesting for a whole different reason. He played Ellen's last boyfriend before she came out as a lesbian on the Ellen show.

Ragsdale was happy to talk about those roles and all others at Flashback Weekend. He was a great guest, appealing to fans for several different projects. I haven't seen him do many conventions, but Flashback Weekend had him. They always seem to pick up a few such guests who don't appear a lot at least in this area.

Flashback Weekend is scheduled for July 30-August 1. I hope by then, things are relatively back to normal. I'll be checking FlashbackWeekend.com for updates and I encourage all to do so, too.

William Ragsdale and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

On the Beat With the Phoenix Mercury 06/23/2021

The Phoenix Mercury held an off day press session featuring Head Coach Sandy Brondello. Because of all of the Olympics press obligations, players were unavailable.

Coach Brondello started by assessing the Mercury's defense. Allowing 80 points per game, the Mercury is seventh in points by opponents. The Merc ranks sixth in rebounds (36.2), last in steals (4.1) first in blocks (6.0) and last in forced turnovers (10.6). Coach Brondello summed it by stating the team is good, but not great and they need to get great to be contenders.

Along the same lines, Coach Brondello discussed the impending return of Diana Taurasi. The injury to Taurasi certainly contributed to the team's problems and her return will help the defense, the consistency and the overall play.

On her off days, Coach Brondello watches other games (WNBA and NBA). She definitely has her eyes on the Phoenix Suns. Coach Brondello did admit even on off days, she really doesn't have the time to watch the games live, but watches them later.

Consistency is an area of focus for Coach Brondello. Spurts of greatness won't win the title. The Mercury need to play full games and multiple games at a consistently great level.

The Mercury currently sit tied with Minnesota in third place of the Western Conference. At 6-7, they are five games behind first place Seattle and four games behind second place Las Vegas.

Due to the oddness of the WNBA schedule, they haven't played since they beat Los Angeles on June 18. That win snapped a four game losing streak for the Mercury. Their next game is Sunday, June 27 when they host Los Angeles. With two games against Seattle and one against Las Vegas in July before the break, the Mercury need to stack some wins now.

The media session can be found at On the Beat With the Phoenix Mercury 06/23/2021. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Atlanta Dream 06/22/2021

The Atlanta Dream held a media session featuring Head Coach Mike Petersen and players Cheyenne Parker and Chennedy Carter. As always on off days, the media session was more focused on general topics.

Coach Petersen started by discussing the loss of Tiffany Hayes. Losing a player like Hayes causing adjustments, but the team has made adjustments all season. One of those adjustments involves the play of Odyssey Sims. With the revolving door of players arriving late from playing in other countries and leaving for tryouts elsewhere, all teams are adjusting on the fly. Fortunately, the WNBA will take a league-wide break for the upcoming Olympics.

Next up was Parker, one of my long-time favorites from the Chicago Sky. I started by thanking her for her time here. She was always a class player, willing to give solid interviews. I love the current Sky team, but losing a player like Parker is always sad.

Parker talked about adjusting to her new team. Going from the blues to the reds was odd, but she is adapting and loves her place on the team. She talked about the whole process of joining her new team. Parker also gave a quick update on how she is doing.

Lastly, Carter took the media seat. She started by discussing what things she learned last season that she brought into this season. Her injury update was quick, but to the point. She finished with discussing Atlanta.

The Dream currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-7. Despite that, they are only three games out of first place. The league is pretty balanced, with only four teams above even. Unfortunately for the Dream, they have lost five of their last six games, after a four game winning streak.

The Dream return to action on Wednesday, when they host the Minnesota Lynx. After that, they have two home games against the New York Liberty. A three game sweep would put the Dream over the .500 mark and probably into the top half of the Conference. It's too early to call these “must win” games, but they are big games and games the Dream could win.

You can find the interview session at On the Beat With the Atlanta Dream 06/22/2021. Also check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Washington Mystics 06/21/2021

On Monday, the Washington Mystics held a press session featuring Head Coach Mike Thibault and Tina Charles. With the announcement of the USA Women's Olympics Basketball Team, a major part of the discussion was the Olympics.

Coach Thibault started off discussing the addition of Megan Gustafson. A star player at the University of Iowa, Gustafson was selected by the Dallas Wings in the second round (17th overall) in the 2019 WNBA Draft. She was released, but quickly resigned by the Wings. After two seasons with Dallas, she was a free agent until the Mystics signed her.

Coach Thibault talked about why the Mystics signed her, including her strengths. He also explained the rules and guidelines of signing players to replace injured players.

Talk turned to the Olympics. Tina Charles and Ariel Atkins were named to the USA Olympics team. 

Charles, the first overall pick in the 20210 WNBA Draft, will be playing in her third Olympics. A star at UConn, Charles started with the Connecticut Sun (2010-13), then moved on to the New York Liberty (2014-2019), before joining the Mystics in 2020.

Atkins starred at the University of Texas, before being selected by the Mystics in the first round (7th overall) of the 2018 WNBA Draft. This will be her first time playing in the Olympics.

Lastly, Coach Thibault discussed Elena Delle Donne and her recovery. While it might be taking longer than anyone wanted, Thibault isn't really surprised. The long break for the Olympics will work in EDD's favor.

Charles also talked a lot about the Olympics. She expressed her emtion in making the team and advice she would give others on the team. She also talked a bit about her own season.

The Mystics are 6-6, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They are only 1.5 games out of first place. They have won two straight and four of their last five games. Tonight they place the Seattle Storm, who at 12-2 lead the entire WNBA.

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Washington Mystics 06/21/2021. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #542 Kelsey Plum & Breanna Stewart

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today, we continue marching alphabetically through all MLB teams.

Born in California, Kelsey Plum starred in basketball at the University of Washington before being selected by the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces) with the first pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. It was the first time the first pick in both the WNBA and NBA came from the same school. Plum missed the 2020 season with an injured left Achilles tendon. She returned to her school state to toss a first pitch for the Mariners and find herself on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Breanna Stewart was born in New York and starred at UConn before being selected by the Seattle Storm with the first pick in the 2016 WNBA draft. Stewart, one of the best and most popular players, was a key part of the Storm's 2020 WNBA championship season. Stewart tossed a first pitch for the Mariners this season to get her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Friend Encounters: Billy Zane and Michael Kingston

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

I have featured Michael Kingston several times over the years. My first interview with Michael can be found at On the Beat With Michael Kingston. That was at Wizard World in 2013. Sinc ethen, I have seen Michael achieve even more success with his work.

Michael's Headlocked Comic is a wrestling comic about wrestling. Unlike other wrestling comics, Headlocked is highly entertaining, while staying more realistic than other wrestling comics. It was his vision from the start and it has come to fruition. It's not just me saying that either. A legion of wrestlers past and present have jumped on the Headlocked bandwagon, including cover artist Jerry "The King" Lawler.

Michael is as hard-working as he is talented, though. With the exception of a break due to the pandemic, Michael has been busy for years on the convention circuit. Michael always has time for chatting at these cons though. It's always great seeing him and not just because he is usually accompanied by famous wrestlers.

At one of those conventions, Michael met Billy Zane. After meeting Zane, Michael said, "So Billy Zane is just as cool as you’d think he’d be." Zane is cool and so is Michael. He deserves all the success he has.

Go to HeadlockedComic.com for more info on Michael and his comics. Also follow Headlocked Comic on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Billy Zane and Michael Kingston in San Diego, CA-July 2019.

Pinfalls: Hell in a Cell 2021

Through my writing for Global Women's Sports Radio, I started another project with GWSR writer Candace Cordelia. We have started Pinfalls, where we look at the next PPV, making predictions and discussing relevant women's issues in wrestling.

Last time, Candace and I looked at WWE: WrestleMania Backlash. We agreed on all the matches and went a perfect 5-0. This time, we look at WWE's Hell in a Cell, which will airs tonight. There are six matches and we finally have different picks on some of the matches, but you'll have to watch the video to find out which ones.

The Hell in a Cell lineup is:

-SmackDown Women's Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley in a Hell in a Cell match

-Raw Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair.

-Alexa Bliss vs. Shayna Baszler.

-WWE Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell

-Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

-Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro

The previously listed match of WWE Universal Champ Roman Reigns defending against Rey Mysterio was moved to SmackDown. yesterday. Reigns came away with the victory.

Candace and I also discuss the storyline involving Alexa Bliss and Lilly and the significance of half of the matches on this show being women's matches. We both have our own takes on both situations, but are in total agreement that it is fantastic to have so much women's wrestling being such a big part of the conversation right now.

Check out Pinfalls: Hell in a Cell on YouTube and then Sunday enjoy Hell in a Cell. Feel free to tell us your opinions of our predictions and thoughts, as well as your opinion of the PPV itself.

Cards That Never Were: Jason Thompson Topps 1987

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 their efforts. More of my creations and a lot of great stuff from others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and it is not just baseball card creations).
Jason Thompson was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round of the 1975 MLB Draft. He made his debut in 1976 and played through the 1986 season. Over the course of his career, he played for the Tigers, the California Angels, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Montreal Expos. He had 1253 hits, 208 homeruns, 782 rbi's and 640 runs scored with a .261 batting average. Thompson made three All-Star games.
For his efforts, Topps gave Thompson cards in their sets from 1977 to '86. A 1987 card would not only fill the only omission for Thompson, it is a "career capper" and his only Topps card with the Expos. I had to make this one.

On the Beat With the Las Vegas Aces 06/16/2021

The Las Vegas Aces held a practice day media session featuring Head Coach Bill Laimbeer and players A'ja Wilson and Destiny Slocum. Wilson started the session with a fun question she asked Coach Laimbeer.

Things got a little more serious as Coach Laimbeer fielded questions from the real press. First, he discussed the state of the team. Despite being 9-3 in second place in the WNBA Western Conference, the team is not yet where he wants it to be. Not being negative, Coach Laimbeer cited areas needing improvement, as well as strengths of the team.

Coach Laimbeer then talked about center Liz Cambage, who returned to the team after missing last season. He noted the differences in her play this season versus her last season.  

On the topic of women coaching in the NBA, Coach Laimbeer gave straightforward and insightful thoughts. There are opportunities in the NBA now for women and the money is much better than in the WNBA. While these women are losses to the WNBA, other women will get opportunities in their absences.

Lastly, Coach Laimbeer talked about the schedule of the WNBA. With three games against New York in a short span, he sees it as both an advantage and disadvantage, depending on timing. The Aces haven't played the Chicago Sky at all, but will now face the team when it is back at full strength.

Wilson started her session talking about the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Wilson attended a game and enjoyed participating in the pre-game entertainment. She also talked about the importance of women, including Dawn Staley, getting more opportunities in the NBA. She finished by discussing the WNBA All-Star game being in Las Vegas this season. I'm sure she will be playing in that game in front for her home team crowd.

Rookie Slocum closed out the session, starting with talking about her role on the team and her preparation. Sitting on the bench doesn't mean not being in the game. She takes her role seriously and uses her time on the bench to learn and to help her teammates. She talked about the adjustments she has had to make and the biggest challenges and differences in transitioning to the WNBA.

When asked about being complimented by Coach Laimbeer, Slocum talked about the impact of it. Coach Laimbeer has a reputation as being gruff and hard, but he is admittedly brutally honest. A compliment from Coach Laimbeer carries a lot of weight.

Las Vegas is riding a four game winning streak, including a 100-78 victory over New York on Tuesday. The Aces host the Liberty tonight, which will be their third matchup in the last 14 days.

The Aces trail the Seattle Storm by two games, but have a three game lead on the Los Angeles Sparks, who sit in third place. While Coach Laimbeer wants to win every game, his focus is always on being ready come playoffs.

The interview can be found at On the Beat With the Las Vegas Aces 06/21/2021. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With John Cosper

Girl Fight Wrestling is back and women wrestlers are in peak form already. With the return of GFW, I went back “On the Beat” with wrestling historian and author John Cosper.

Over the last year, John has become GWSR's “go-to” correspondent for GFW. The author of more than 20 wrestling books, John became friends with GFW founder Mad Man Pondo and eventually co-wrote Memoirs of a Mad Man with Pondo. As a knowledgeable and respectful fan and wrestling author, John is the perfect person to give updates and opinions on the action of GFW.

We started the interview talking about A Champions Challenge, GFW's big return event from a couple weeks ago. GFW champ Mickie Knuckles fought seven other women in her title defense. Billie Starkz won the match to become the new GFW champ. While it was somewhat of a surprise, Starkz is a very talented, young wrestler who is advanced beyond her years.

The wily veteran Knuckles is as tough as can be. I saw her up close during her stint at Resistance Pro Wrestling, where she held the women's title. No matter the outcome of any of her matches, Knuckles always gave her opponent a beating (and usually took a beating herself). On this night though, Starkz pulled out the win and is a deserving champ.

John is very high on Starkz and Knuckles. He feels Starkz and Knuckles could both be in a major company. Starkz's age might be the only thing holding her back right now. On the opposite end, Knuckles would be a great veteran presence in the locker room. Of course, Knuckles can still go in the ring, too. 

Talk then moved on to GFW's event lat Saturday. Knuckles and Charlie Kruel opened the night with Knuckles getting the win. What a way to start a night of wrestling! Knuckles versus Kruel could main event any show.

John gives a rundown of the entire card, which also included Starkz, Dani Mo, Big Momma, Nikki Victory, Judi Rae Hendrix and more. John had interesting takes on all the matches and the women wrestlers. This night sounds like it could be a “Best of GFW” dvd all by itself.

I asked John for his thoughts on which of the women he thought would be the next one to get a call from any of the big companies. Several GFW alums, like Skye Blue and Sarah Logan, have already made appearances with the big companies and more will be following. The GFW roster is arguably better than ever.

We took a related detour to talk about Pondo. A man of many adventures, Pondo doesn't get the overall credit he deserves. He has done so much for women wrestlers.In an era where the big companies talked about the women's movement, Pondo was putting on shows highlighting women actually wrestling. Pondo has given women a platform to showcase their skills, while also sharing his years of experience.

Lastly, we talked about John's latest endeavors. His most recent books are Princess Victoria: A Tale of Tears, Triumphs, and Turnbuckles (with Vicki Otis) and Chris Candido: No Gimmicks Needed (with Jonny Candido). Ever-busy, John is working on a few new book projects. He also mentioned a project with Pondo, but couldn't reveal details yet. I can't wait for more info on any project between John and Pondo.

I appreciate John's time and consideration in giving GWSR updates on GFW and his books. You can get more info on John at EatSleepWrestle.com. Follow Girl Fight Wrestling on Facebook and check back here for news and updates on the best women's wrestling. You can watch the video interview at On the Beat With John Cosper.

James Wylder at Wizard World St. Louis 2017

Back in 2017, my buddy Jack and I trekked down to St. Louis, MO for Wizard World. While the St. Louis con was smaller than Chicago's event, I still found plenty of talented folks, including James Wylder.

A native of Indiana, Wylder's first published story was "The Waiting Crowd" in the 2005 issue of "Genesis Arts." Since then, he has written poems, novels and a full-length play.

One of Wylder's creations is 10,000 Dawns, as seen below. Wyler describes 10,000 Dawns as  "a place where the possibilities you wondered about where your life could have gone are real, and the future is dark." Set hundreds of years in the future, it focuses on main characters Graelyn and Archimedes. Their adventure includes revolution, alien invasion and traveling between parallel worlds. It's fantasy, fiction, action-packed and a bit funny. It's a highly entertaining read.

God Save the Pres.! is another of his books. It features Zoey Hartnell mixed up in a political world.

Wylder has several other works of literature. All are available for purchase or perusal on his site.

Go to JamesWylder.com for more info on Wylder. Wizard World Chicago was just announced for October 15-17. Check WizardWorld.com for updates on their conventions and other events.

James Wylder and me in St. Louis, MO-April 2017.

Kal Herro Loves Johngy's Beat

Recently, I featured an interview with "The Fanny Pack Kid" Kal Herro, a young wrestler on the rise. If you missed it, you can find it at On the Beat With Kal Herro.

After the interview, Kal was kind enough to cut a promo for Johngy's Beat. It was one of the most enthusiastic promos I have ever received. It just is further proof of Kal's charisma and his mic skills. This young man is something special.

Jump on the Fanny Pack train now, because it is only going to get better. Kal is destined for great things.

Friend Encounters: Aubree Munro and Danny

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

After a year delay, the Summer Olympics start July 23 and softball is the opening event. One of the members of Team USA is Aubree Munro.

A star catcher at the University of Florida, Munro was selected by the USSSA Pride in the 2016 National Pro Fastpitch Draft. In 2021, she played in the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited softball.

Munro cites her greatest softball memory as hitting in the tying run in the bottom of the 10th inning in the gold medal game to qualify for the Olympics. Next month Munro will have a chance to make some Olympic memories.

In 2019, Team USA came to Rosemont for a week of raining and exhibition games. I enlisted old friend Jodie to help me with interview s and pictures. Jodie brought her son Danny, who got into the action with a few pictures of his own.

I am really looking forward to the Olympics for the first time ever. I know most of the softball players from my yars of covering the NPF and NCAA softball. It will be great seeing all of them on the international stage.

Go to TeamUSA.org for more info on the softball team and other sports. Check back here for my recurring coverage of Team USA softball.

Aubree Munro and Danny in Rosemont, IL-July 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #541 Louis Gossett & Judge Reinhold

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue working my way alphabetically through all MLB teams.

Brooklyn, New York native Louis Gossett Jr. has had a legendary acting career spanning more than 60 years. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and an Emmy Award, among his other many honors. Gossett was a great choice to portray baseball Hall of Famer Satchel Paige in a biography on his life. While Paige got a Topps 1953 card, Gossett now has a Celebrity Jersey Card.  

Edward Ernest Reinhold went from his native Delaware to Hollywood to become  a star. Judge's first on screen role was on television's Wonder Woman. Over the next 40 years, he has appeared in countless films and tv shows, including Fast Times at Ridgemont High., in which he wore a Cleveland Indians jersey. That performance caught the eye of a faithful reader Brian suggested I make a Celebrity Jersey Card for Reinhold. I appreciate Brian's interest and his assistance in supply the pic of Reinhold.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/11/2021

The Connecticut Sun are 8-2 in first place in the WNBA Eastern Conference. They are tied with Seattle for the best overall record in the league. That will change on Sunday, when the two teams meet in Connecticut.

On Friday, the Sun held an offday media session featuring Coach Curt Miller an players Natisha Hiedeman and Stephanie Jones. Actually, this is an offweek for the Sun, due to a quick in the schedule which saw them last play on Saturday, meaning the Sun are in the middle of one full week of no games.

The off week was one of the main topics of discussion during the media session. Coach Miller described it as good and bad. For the Sun and Miller, it is at least a timely break, as Jonquel Jones has departed the team to compete for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the FIBA European women's basketball championship.

One of the top candidates for league MVP, Jones is averaging 21.6 points10.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. JJ will miss most of June, which amounts to at least four games and possibly six. The Sun are deep, but replacing a player like JJ won't be easy.

Coach Miller talked about using the extra long layoff to work on things without JJ. It is going to take several players stepping up to fill the void.

Of course the team still practiced and worked out during the “off” week, but the players did have a little extra time to do things outside of basketball. Hiedeman talked about going to the beach and getting a little tan. She also talked more seriously about using the off time to work on her game and work with the team on plays without JJ.

A star player at Marquette in Milwaukee, Hiedeman talked about her family crossing the Illinois border to see her play in the upcoming two game mini-series against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. I expect there to be a big Hiedeman fan group in Chicago. I also look forward to seeing Hiedeman play in person for the first time in a couple years.

Last up was Stephanie Jones, sister of the departed Jonquel. After a successful career at Maryland, Stephanie went undrafted and played in Poland for a season. She signed a training camp contract with the Sun and made her debut on May 14. Stephanie has played five games, averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in those games. Stephanie is one of the players Coach Miller will need to help while her sister is away. Stephanie knows Coach Miller will look to her and she is excited about the opportunity.

While Sunday's game against the Storm will be a big test, the next five games for the Sun (possibly all without JJ) aren't quite as challenging. They have three games against Chicago and one game against Washington and Dallas. Once again, timing might be on the side of the Sun. First up though is Seattle and for now, that is where the focus is for the Sun.

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/11/2021. Check WNBA.com for more news on the league. Also, check here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With Steve Ahrendt & Joey Roth of Chicagoland Championship Wrestling

Last October, Chicagoland Championship Wrestling debuted in Michigan City, Indiana. On Saturday, June 12, CCW returns for their second show and what a show it will be!

As last time, I again talked to Steve Ahrendt and Joey Roth, who watched the show up close as the broadcast team. Who better to speak of the product than the two men who called the action?

CCW's debut show was sold out, as is this upcoming show. You will still be able to watch it though on several platforms sometime soon after the event.

On June 12, CCW Saturday Night Grapplemasters features the following matches:

• UHC Title Match-Jay Kross vs. Ewokk
• The Sin City Playboys w/Beau Anderson vs. Air Country
• No Coast vs. Triibunal
• Marshe "All Day" Rockett vs. Chris Moore
• Wolf Yokai Dojo vs. THE ARC w/Jackson P. Larkin
• Youth Gone Wild vs. The Outrunners
• Main Event-CCW Title-The Fro-Gun vs. The Shogun Chris L.O.G.A.N.

As Steve, Joey and I discuss in the interview, any of those matches could be a headline match. CCW owner-promoter John Bullard built a card full of top notch talent pitted against each other.

The above match list doesn't even include the Chicago Connection led by "The Shot to the Top" P.L. Myers, one of best managers in the business. Nor does it mention C Red, another top manager, who is also a veteran wrestler. There's also Garrisaon Creed, Chip Walker and others. They will all be there June 12.

Much like John built this card, he has built CCW. Despite delays and obstacles caused by the pandemic, John has methodically built a wrestling company from the ground up. Taking no shortcuts, he has gotten the top talent, partnered with excellent companies and has his product shown on major broadcast platforms.

Wrestling is full of hyperbole. As a reporter, I must separate hype from reality. I don't work for CCW, nor am I part of the show. If I didn't believe in the product, I might not bash it, but I certainly wouldn't praise it.

It seems a new wrestling company debuts every month. Great hype and anticipation comes with each announcement. CCW quickly set itself apart from the pack however. Most of the buzz surrounding CCW comes from the talent and the fans. For the most part, John has allowed his product to do the talking.

Steve, Joey and I discuss all of this and more. There's not a dull moment with these two. They are entertaining on the broadcasts, in interviews or just chatting casually.

Since I do not work for CCW and this event is sold out, why am I writing about it? I believe in the product and I want to expose the product to others. CCW's third show is August 21 and it isn't sold out...yet. Tickets will be selling fast at the June 12 show though. Wrestling fans or anyone who simply likes entertainment should get a ticket to the August 21 show ASAP, because when I write my recap of the June 12 show here, I might be talking about another sell out already.

As always, I thank Joey and Steve for their time and consideration. I also thank CCW and John for allowing me access to the product and talent roster.

Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Steve Ahrendt & Joey Roth of Chicagoland Championship Wrestling. For more info, check out ChicagolandChampionshipWrestling.com.

Earlier this week the New York Liberty held a midweek media session featuring Reshanda Gray and Betnijah Laney. Considering the Liberty are coming off of three straight losses, the players were incredibly upbeat.

Gray started the session talking about player movement in the league. On her fifth team (plus a return to the Liberty) in seven seasons, Gray knows a bit about this topic.

After starring at the University of California, Gray was selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round (16th overall) of the 2015 WNBA Draft. After only 10 games with the Lynx, she was traded to the Atlanta Dream. Prior to the 2017 season, she was traded to the Connecticut Sun, but was waived in training camp. She signed by the New York Liberty before the 2018 season. She played with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2020 and signed back with the Liberty this season.

Gray was incredibly positive about her experience and is happy to bring that same level of positivity to the court with the Liberty. All told in her career, Gray has averaged 3.4 rebounds and 4.0 points per game, but she also contributes intangibles that don't show up in the scoresheets. 

Gray continued by discussing the state of the team, including her play. Laney followed Gray on that same topic. The players gave insight into the mental state of the team. With three straight losses, the confidence level is still high and the attitudes are positive.

Laney also discussed her approach to the game and the team. She is happy to be with a team who utilizes her skills and appreciates her and she knows her role on the team.

Like Gray, Laney is also well-traveled. Selected by the Chicago Sky in the second round (17th overall) in the 2015 WNBA Draft (ironically, right after Gray). Two seasons in Chicago were followed by a year out of the league. She returned in 2018 and spent the next four seasons with four different teams. Laney has averaged 3.0 rebounds and 7.o points per game for her career.

The Liberty will try to snap their skid at Phoenix on Sunday. That game is followed by consecutive road games at Las Vegas. Losing to the Mercury would make it even tougher to face the Aces. The Liberty need to beat the Mercury and be at the top of their game for the Aces.

These back-to-back games are interesting tests, as well as potential preparation for the playoffs. Teams need to make quick adjustments between games with these mini-series, just as they will in the playoffs.

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the New York Liberty 06/08/2021. Go to WNBA.com for more news on the team and the league. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With the Indiana Fever 06/07/2021

The Indiana Fever has a record of 1-9, worst in the WNBA. Their only win was at home against the Washington Mystics. Even worse, they have been beaten by an average of 18 points per game, with their last loss a 35 point drubbing by the Los Angeles Sparks.

The Fever travels to Chicago for a Wednesday game against the struggling Sky. That's followed on Saturday by a home game against the Sky. This two game series is a rare time where both teams have a chance to start turning around their season. Two wins for either team would be big.

In Monday's media session, Fever Coach Marianne Stanley and players Kelsey Mitchell and Jantel Lavender talked about playing Chicago. Lavender has a special interest in these games.

After a successful career at Ohio State, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Lavender with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft. After eight seasons in LA, she was traded to the Sky. Unfortunately, Lavender fractured her foot late in the season. In June 2020, it was announced Lavender would miss the entire season due to another surgery on her foot. In August, she was traded to the Fever.

Even though she only played 23 games with the Sky, it's enough to give just a little extra incentive, not that she needs it. Lavender spoke openly about how she heard the news and how she feels.

Both Lavender and Mitchell also talked about how their individual seasons are going and their roles on the team. Lavender is averaging 6.1 points per game, while Mitchell is at 14.1 ppg. That's 27 percent of the team's scoring. The Fever is actually fourth in the WNBA in scoring.

Coach Stanley also discussed the early season schedule. The Fever played 10 games in the first 21 days of the season. That doesn't allow much time for preparation or recovery, but Coach Stanley is not using that as an excuse.

The upcoming two game series features teams with a combined 3-16 record. Despite that, this series is important to both teams. A split seems likely, but both teams need a sweep.

The media session is at On the Beat With the Indiana Fever 06/07/2021. For more information on the Fever and the WNBA, go to WNBA.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With the Chicago Blitz

Women's football was back in Chicago, although briefly. A couple weeks ago, the X League Chicago Blitz held an open scrimmage for fans at the SeatGeek Stadium Dome in Bridgeview, Illinois. I was there “On the Beat” soaking up the action.

The X League and the Blitz have a fascinating history. In 2004, the Lingerie Bowl debuted as a pay-per-view event during the Super Bowl halftime show. In 2009, it was rebranded as the Lingerie Football League and expanded to ten teams playing actual games. In 2013, as the league focused more on football, it was rebranded again as the Legends Football League. In late 2019, it was once again rebranded to the Extreme Football League (or X League). Unfortunately, COVID-19 delayed the first season.

The Chicago Bliss was an LFL original team. The Bliss had tremendous success, winning four Legends Cups and being Conference champs six times. Coach Keith Hac led a team always a threat to take the tile. The Bliss were filled with league stars like Heather “Rockstar” Furr, ChrisDell “Ferrari” Harris, Alli Alberts, Yashi Rice, Dominique Collins, Deena Fagiano, Chantell Taylor Kim Perez and several others.

In 2019, with the rebrand, the Bliss became the Chicago Blitz. Sidney Lewis was named the new coach. Coach Lew had a few veterans like DeAnna Hightower and Javell Thompson to aid the transition, but he relied on mostly new players. This year was going to be an exciting year for the Blitz and I couldn't wait to watch women's football again.

A few weeks back, the Blitz announced they were having a scrimmage and it was open to fans. Of course, I was going to be there. Once again though, the ongoing pandemic reared its ugly head, causing the debut season to be postponed until 2022. Despite the disappointment of the postponement, the Blitz still held their scrimmage, to the delight of the many fans who watched from the sidelines of the Dome.

The Blitz ran through basic drills for about an hour. Next the team ran offensive plays for about 30 minutes, then switched up some players and ran more offensive pays for another half hour.

After the two hours on the field, the players were individually announced to the cheers of those in attendance. As the team left the field, I was able to get short interviews with Coach Lew and five players.

Coach Lew talked about why he wanted to coach women's football, what he enjoys the most about the league and why the players and the action are top notch. Coach Lew has a long coaching resume and is a great leader, both on and off the field. I really looked forward to what he would do with the team.

Next up was rookie Allie “Diesel” Koop. If you wonder why she is called Diesel, look at her on the field. I saw her carry a few players with her as she advanced the ball. Unbelievably, she is new to football. She has been a body builder, as her physique indicates and is heading into her first competition in a few weeks.

I got a three-fer interview with Brittany Baker, Victoria MDC and Stephanie Daniels. The athletes talked about why they want to play football and also their athletic backgrounds.

Last, I talked to team veteran DeAnna Hightower. DeAnna talked about the sisterhood on the team and being the elder statesman. I don't know her age (and I wouldn't reveal it if I did), but she proved she is as capable as others much younger.

The X League has a history filled with twists and turns, but the one consistent thing is the athletes. As Coach Lew stated so well, these women are elite athletes. Most have excelled at high levels in various sports, like Stephanie Raymond who played with the WNBA Chicago Sky.

These athletes play for the love of the game. They practice for many months, just to play a few regular season games. Those practices are legit battles, too. Just look at Koop in our interview. Clearly she worked her tail off at the scrimmage. These women don't have a cruising gear. It is all out.

It's a shame these women and the sport don't get more exposure. Every friend who attended a Bliss game at my urging always enjoyed the experience and returned. This is why I am happy Global Women's Sports Radio was started. I get to cover women's sports and share all with our viewers.

Thank you to Coach Lew for the invitation to the practice. Thanks to all who gave their time for our interviews. Despite the season's postponement, I don't think we've heard the end of the Blitz for 2021. Rest assured, whatever they might do, Global Women's Sports Radio will be there.

The interviews can be found at On the Beat With the Chicago Blitz. Check the Blitz and individual players on social media.

Friend Encounters: Princess Etch and Joey Roth at C2E2 2020

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

Last year, I was happy to add Joey Roth to the Johngy's Beat crew. Joey conducted several interviews with creative folks at C2E2. That was right before all things stopped.

As a fixture on the Chicago wrestling scene, Joey was the perfect choice to do interviews. He's talented, charismatic and can improvise. That's all part of his work as a manager of champions, but also part of his other endeavors in theater and other parts of the entertainment industry.

While all of the folks in Artist Alley have interesting things to promote, I tried to pick specific creators for Joey. I selected creators from different fields. All of my choices were a bit offbeat in all the best ways.

Princess Etch was one of my choices. 

Princess Etch (aka Jane Labowitch) is a full time Etch-A-Sketch artist. Like most folks, I have no skills in the Etch-A-Sketch area, but Jane is a wizard with it. I met her several times at other cons and I am always amazed at her creations, new and old.

Even Joey, who has seen everything during his many years in entertainment, was very impressed by Jane's skill. His wonder in the interview is totally legit. He was wowed by her creations.

My only question is why she is a Princess and not a Queen. Maybe it is an age thing? It's a question I will have to ask the next time I see her.

Go to PrincessEtch.com for more info on Jane. Also, check Joey's interview with her at On the Beat With Princess Etch. 

Joey Roth and Princess Etch in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #540 Bud Abbott & Babe Ruth

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue working my way alphabetically through all MLB teams.

Born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, William "Bud" Abbott rose to fame as half of the legendary Abbott and Costello comedy duo. Abbott and Costello performed the hugely popular "Who's on First?" skit, which earned them a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Abbott also has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Abbott and Costello posed with Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio (representing all three New York teams) to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card.

George Herman Ruth was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew into a Hall of Fame baseball player. He started with the Boston Red Sox, was sold to the New York Yankees in what is considered one of the worst deals ever for any team. Ruth actually finished his career with the Boston Braves. In 1923, Ruth appeared in an exhibition game to raise money for former New York Giants' owner John B. Day and and manager Jim Mutrie. Ruth, pictured with Giants' manager John McGraw, landed on what would be one of the oldest Celebrity Jersey Cards to date.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/04/2021

The Connecticut Sun held a press session on a practice day. Head Coach Curt Miller and players Jasmine Thomas and Natisha Hiedeman took turns talking to the press.

Coach Miller started the press session and I got it off to a bit of a rocky start. In a couple weeks, the Sun will face the Chicago Sky three times in eleven days. I asked Coach Miller about playing a team that many times in a short span. I wan't necessarily talking about the Sky, but any team in general.

Coach Miller bristled a bit, stating he wasn't looking that far ahead. He was only focused on the upcoming game with the New York Liberty. He then did answer the question, giving real insight, exactly what I wanted.

Usually on sessions not on game days, the questions are a bit looser and more general. Some reporters even go for silly or humorous. I was genuinely curious about laying a team that much in a compact time period. In all fairness, Coach Miller did ultimately give an excellent answer, one I wasn't even considering. 

For the rest of Coach Miller's session, he gave a scouting report on the Liberty. After Coach Miller, Thomas and Hiedeman also gave their thoughts on the Liberty. The trio gave interesting takes on the Liberty and the league in general.

I asked Thomas about the Sun being ranked second in some power rankings. I wanted ti know if that stuff means anything to players. Do they care at all abou those rankings? Thomas gave a classic answer.

Lastly, I asked Hiedeman about her time as the tam veteran early in the preseason. Hiedeman talked about how that experience helped her development. I'm sure it isn't the sole factor, but Hiedeman is having her best season.

The Sun are 7-2, coming off a Tuesday 74-67 win over the Las Vegas Aces. Today, the Sun host the New York Liberty, who are 5-3 and a much-improved team from last season. NY's Sabrina Ionescu isn't a one-person show, but she is a difference-maker.

The Sun come into the game as 9.5 point favorites. I think it will be closer than that, but the Sun will win. I am calling for an 85-80 Sun victor

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/04/2021. Check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Minnesota Lynx 06/02/2021

On Sunday, the Minnesota Lynx picked up their first victory of the season. The Lynx upset Connecticut, who came to the Target Center in Minneapolis with a 6-1 and in first place in the Eastern Conference. It took an overtime period to accomplish the feat, but it goes in the win column.

Team stats for the game were fairly similar. The Lynx outrebounded the Sun 38-28, for the only major stat difference. Sylvia Fowles just missed a double-double (24 P, 9 R).

It sounds cliché to say, but the Lynx really have played better than the 1-4 record would indicate. While they are in the lower half of most team stats categories, they are not last in any. The main issue seems to be scoring, as they rank 11th with a 75.8 points per game average. Unfortunately, the Lynx average giving up 81.8 ppg, which ranks 7th. 

In beating the Sun 79-74, the Lynx scored four points above their average and held the Sun to eight points below their opponents' average score. They also held the Sun to seven points below their usual average, while scoring five more points than the Sun usually allow. The Sun is first in the league in points against average.

On Wednesday, Head Coach Cheryl Reeve and Crystal Dangerfield took part in a media session. Predictably, the main topic of discussion was the win. Both women also discussed the general nature and focus of practices.

With the winless weight off their back, the Lynx need to build on the win. It doesn't mean they need to run off a big win streak, but they can't let the win be the outlier. A 1-4 start is not a death sentence in the long season, but they can't afford to start 1-10. They need to start winning weeks to get back to .500 and then build on that. 

Tonight, the Lynx host the Atlanta Dream (4-2). This will be another test for the Lynx. Are they heading back on track? Can they build on their first victory? We should get some answers tonight.

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Minnesota Lynx 06/02/2021. Check back here for my recurring WNBA coverage.

On the Beat With the Phoenix Mercury 06/01/2021

​Just when it looked like the Chicago Sky would end their four game losing streak (all at home), Phoenix's Kia Nurse raced down the court, stepped over the half court line and put up the game-winning three-pointer. The miraculous shot ended a game full of streaks and missed opportunities.

Phoenix started the game with an 8-0 run. Later in the quarter, the Sky went on an 11-1 run to tie the game at 15. Phoenix ended the quarter with a 6-0 run to make it 21-15. The Sky rebounded to take a 31-29 lead midway through the second quarter, but the Mercury roared back with an 18-5 run to go up 47-36 at half.

The Sky had a 19-4 run in the third quarter to take the lead. Early in the fourth quarter, the Sky ran off 12 unanswered points to stretch the lead to nine with about five minutes left to play. Phoenix came right back though, with a 14-3 run in the last 3:37, culminating in Nurse's game-winner.

Diamond DeShields led the Sky with 26 points. Ruthy Hebard had 9 boards and Courtney Vandersloot had 10 assists to lead in those categories.

The Mercury had 19 turnovers to the Sky's 10. The Sky also had 10 steals, to the Mercury's six. The Mercury had a 35-28 rebounding edge.

After the game, Phoenix Coach Sandy Brondello and players Nurse, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Megan Walker discussed the game and the game-winning shot. It wasn't planned to be the play, but all were happy with the ultimate outcome.

The Sky fell to 2-5 for the season. They return to action on the road as they face the Mercury again Thursday.

The press session can be found at On the Beat With the Phoenix Mercury 06/01/2021. Check back here, on GlobalTravelerUSA.com, Patch.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my WNBA coverage.

On the Beat With the Seattle Storm 05/31/2021

The Seattle Storm announced Head Coach Dan Hughes was retiring and assistant coach Noelle Quinn was replacing him. This was a bit of a surprise, but not a total shocker.

Recently, Hughes skipped a game for his son's graduation. Quinn took the reins for that game. In a press session upon his return, Hughes talked about his changing priorities and the importance of family time.

On the surface, it seemed Hughes was in a good place, finding peace and balance in his life. Listening to Hughes and reflecting on the session, I think Hughes had already made up his mind to leave.

Hughes, 66, has been coaching for 44 years, starting as a grad assistant at Miami (Ohio). He is a two-time WNBA Coach of the Year. He guided the Storm to the WNBA title in 2018. Last season, Hughes took a leave due to health concerns, while the Storm won the title in the Bubble with assistant coach Gary Kloppenburg assuming the head coaching duties.

Quinn was a star at UCLA before being selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2007 WNBA draft. In her 12 year career, Quinn played for the Lynx, the Los Angeles Sparks, the Washington Mystics, the Storm (twice) and the Phoenix Mercury. In 2019, Quinn was named an assistant coach of the Storm. Last season, she was named associate Head Coach.

In the press session, Coach Quinn discussed the transition to head coach, her style of coaching and the significance of former players becoming coaches. Quinn described herself as a quiet, “servant” leader. She isn't loud, but she doesn't have to be loud to make her point and lead.

Quinn struck me as a very confident, humble person. At just 36 and only three years removed from her playing career, Quinn should have no problem relating to the players. With two years of coaching experience, Quinn has made the transition to coaching. Being head coach comes with more pressure and responsibility, but Quinn is ready for that challenge and I think she will be a great one.

Of course Quinn will be helped by a team that won two championships in the last three seasons and is loaded with talent, including Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd. With that type of talent comes high expectations though. Coach Quinn and the team are ready for the challenges ahead.

Bird followed Quinn in the session. As a star and a longtime vet, Bird gave her opinion of the situation and Quinn. While the coaching situation of the last three seasons might seem a bit unstable, it really is the same system and the same team.

In talking about the impact of a woman coach, Bird made an interesting point. At 25 years, the league is young. It couldn't have former players as coaches in the early years. The emergence of the WNBA, developmental leagues and foreign leagues has allowed many more women the opportunity to play. There are now many more women coach possibilities available.

The subject of women coaching is one I have broached many times in press sessions. With no disrespect to men coaches like Bill Laimbeer and Dan Hughes, I think it is very important for former players in the league to move through the coaching ranks. Also, other former college players and coaches deserve breaks in the WNBA coaching  circuit.

This isn't a sexist thing. It is about growing the league from within. It's about opportunity for women where there once wasn't any. It's about the identity of the WNBA. Making Quinn Head Coach is a great choice and I wish her good luck.

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Seattle Storm 05/31/2021. Check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

Sean Thornton at C2E2 2017

As I have previously written, C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo) 2021 was postponed until December of this year. C2E2 2020 was one of the last events I attended before the pandemic hit. One of the cool artists I met a few years ago was Sean Thornton.
Thornton is an artist, focusing on comic and fantasy art. Thornton works in black and white, as well as colors. His works cover a myriad of subjects from superheroes to pop culture to original creations. A lot of artists draw superheroes, making it difficult for specific work to stand out, but Thornton's work does stand out.

The Illinois-based artist lists Daffy Duck as his favorite cartoon character. I found that interesting because of all of the characters he has drawn and created. I enjoy Daffy, too, but I wonder what it is about Daffy that puts him at the top of Thornton's list.

Despite picking Daffy as his favorite, I could not find any of his work featuring the wacky duck on his Deviant Art page. I did find plenty of other cool work, including the Piece below.

Go to Sean Thornton's Deviant Art page to see more of his great artwork and follow Sean Thornton Art on Facebook for more frequent updates. Go to C2E2.com for more info and follow C2E2 on Facebook for more news..

Sean Thornton and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.