Friend Encounters: Sammy Terry and Barry Crawford

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

Sammy Terry is a horror host based in Indianapolis, IN. The character was originated in 1962 by Bob Carter and followed by Mark Carter in 2010.

Barry Crawford might be better known as Barry the Clay Guy. As you can guess from the picture, Barry makes clay figures. Over the last 30 or so years, Barry has made more many figures of famous characters and people.

His site features more than 250 figures available for purchase. Each is an exact plastic duplicate of his original figure. All are hand-painted and come with a name plate and base. I have seen his work up close many times and it is amazing.

Barry presented a Sammy Terry figure to the horror host recently. I would have liked to see Sammy's initial reaction. I love the picture, but I imagine the actual first response would be of wonder. I know if Barry made a Johngy figure, I would be blown away. I can dream!

Check out Barry's work at ClayGuy.com. Also, go to SammyTerry.com for more info on this legendary horror host.

Barry Crawford and Sammy Terry in Indianapolis, IN-July 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #576 Natisha Hiedeman & Michelle Tumolo

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

The pride of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Natisha Hiedeman has worked hard to become a solid WNBA player with the Connecticut Sun. A standout at Marquette, TSpoon bounced around a bit in her first season, but found her home with the Sun. Hiedeman earned a Celebrity Jersey Card while wearing a Boston Celtics jersey. The #0 was never worn by a Celtics player, but Robert Parish wore #00.

Lacrosse player Michelle Tumolo was raised in New Jersey and starred at Syracuse. Tumolo plays on the U.S. National team, as well as coaching the Army Black Knights lacrosse team at the U.S. Military Academy. Tumolo wore her usual #35 on a throwback Seattle Supersonics jersey to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card. Several Sonics wore #35, including Paul Silas, but my favorite name is Zaid Abdul-Aziz (aka Don Smith).

Cards That Never Were: Dave Dryden 1962, '66, '69 & '80

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 many great creations of others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards).
The older brother of hockey Hall of Famer Ken Dryden, Dave Dryden also had an excellent career, although it started a bit by accident. In the 1961-62 season, Dave attended a game as a fan. The goalie for the New York Rangers got injured and Dave was pulled from the stands as the emergency goalie (a practice which still happens on occasion). Dave played 40 minutes, giving up three goals in a loss. That play ended his collegiate eligibility.
Dryden returned to the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 1965-66 season. He remained in the NHL for three seasons, but spent 1969-70 in the minors, before returning to the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres in the 1970-71 season. After four seasons with the Sabres, he signed with the Chicago Cougars for one season, then joined the Edmonton Oilers, for whom he played five seasons before retiring.
The Dyden brothers made history in 1971 when they became the first (and still only) brothers to face each other in goal in an NHL game. It wasn't even scheduled to happen, but an injury to the starting goalie made it possible. Dave is also designed the modern goalie fiberglass mask.
For his efforts, he received cards from 1965 through '68, '71-'77 and '79. That left 1962, '66, '69, '78 and '80.
Finding a pic for his one game with the Rangers was a real challenge and requred colorization. It's not great, but it's the best possible.
The 1966 card was created by the Compleat Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Card Compendium. I was searching for a decent picture of Dave with the Hawks and I came across his cool website. He has created a ton of custom cards. I literally got lost for an hour and haven't even scratched the surface.
I found the '69 card through a Google search, but I do not know the creator. If it is your creation or you know who made it, let me know and I will give proper credit.
Since Dave and Edmonton were still in the WHA, there was no card set for that league in '78. The Oilers joined the NHL after, allowing me to create the '80 "career capper" card for Dave.

On the Beat With Kayla Wedl

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being "On the Beat" with Kayla Wedl, new assistant softball coach at the University of Illinois Chicago. I followed Wedl's career when she was a standout player at UIC, but this was my first time interviewing her.

Wedl had an outstanding career on the softball diamond at UIC. During her UIC career, she was named Horizon League Player of the Year twice (2019 and 2021). In 2021, she paced the Horizon League in seven offensive categories. She was also the conference's nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.

Of course, Wedl is all over the UIC record book. She is second all-time in batting average (.378), homers (43), runs (202), total bases (505), and stolen bases (82). She is third all-time in RBIs (190) and triples (19). She was also President of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

Last season, Wedl played professionally for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. The hometown athlete always had a big cheering section, including me.

It was an AU softball game when Wedl was approached about joining Head Coach Lynn Curylo's coaching staff. On November 1, 2021, UIC announced Wedl as a new assistant coach.

Coach Wedl talked about all of this and more. She discussed coaching her former teammates and coaching with her former coach. She discussed the transition and gave an early season scouting report on the Flames. She also discussed playing for AU and their unique scoring system.

The Flames are off to a rough start, going 2-8 in two west coast tournaments. They have one more tournament, the South Florida Tournament March 4 and 5, before starting Horizon League play. Their Horizon League schedule starts March 11 at Purdue Fort Wayne. The Flames play their first home game March 18 when they host Youngstown State.

I thank Coach Wedl for her time and wish her and the Flames luck this season. I will be at some UIC games this season to see the Flames in action up close.

Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Kayla Wedl. Also, go to UICFlames.com for more info on UIC sports.

AJ Mendez: Journeys in Leadership

 Former WWE champ AJ Mendez (AJ Lee) was the keynote speaker in Benedictine University's "Journeys in Leadership" series last Week. In addition to winning the WWE Divas championship three times and being voted Diva of the Year twice, Mendez is also a best-selling author, mental health advocate and a survivor of mental health issues.

In "Crazy Is My Superpower," Mendez openly and courageously discussed her battles with mental illness, including earlier misdiagnoses. A New York Times Bestseller, her book won her a whole new following and the admiration of mental health professionals, too.

Phillip Hardy, Associate Professor Political Science at Benedictine University spoke about Mendez's inclusion in the series. "AJ represents so much about what the "Journeys in Leadership" series is about--a dynamic, accomplished person who can talk to our community about her challenges and rewards of her unique journey. From her experiences in the world of professional wrestling to the hurdles faced when writing a book, AJ is an outstanding addition to this program."

Mendez talked about her early life, her wrestling career, her battles with being bipolar and her book, which covers all of that. Her book, a favorite of mine, was only a small part of Mendez's work in the mental health field. She is passionate about removing the stigma of mental illness. People must treat mental issues as they would any other ailment. You don't avoid help for a broken arm and you shouldn't fear seeking help for mental issues.

After the main session, I asked Mendez about sharing mental issues with significant others. She replied to be completely open and honest with your partner. She urged all to share issues with your partner. Don't expect your partner to guess if you're having issues. Explain to your partner what is in your head and work through it together. That might mean a day spent on the couch, a long talk, a walk outside or anything else. Your partner might not understand what you are experiencing, but by opening yourself up, you help them react to your current situation better.

Wrestling fans will know Mendez is married to current All Elite Wrestling star CM Punk. He was in the WWE during her time in the company. The couple married in 2014 and reside in Chicago.

Mendez talked about her unique look. Calling it "tomboy," she did not buckle to the WWE Diva trend at the time. She rose to the top as herself, which made the success that much sweeter.

Lastly, Mendez urged every writer to spread her message. Seek help if you even think you need help. Reach out to friends or family if you even think they might need help. Don't judge. Don't stigmatize it. Simply seek or offer help, whichever one is needed.

The thing that makes Mendez so special is she doesn't have to do any of this. She released her book after she retired from in-ring action. She doesn't do the comic con circuit, although she recently made a couple rare appearances/ None of this is about selling books or increasing her bank account.

I saw Mendez at a mental health speaking engagement years ago. She spent extra time with a couple young girls, ending their connection with super long hugs. I don't claim to know what occurred, but it was obvious Mendez was touched and reached out to the young ladies. There were no cameras. It didn't appear in any report on wrestling sites. I saw it and I appreciated it.

When I spoke to Mendez at that event, I promised her I would always support her cause and spread the word. In my small way, I am repaying Mendez for the work he does.

There are many suicide prevention hotlines. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255.

AJMe4ndez and me in Chicago and Skokie, IL-February 2022.

Ruby Soho Added to Squared Circle Expo II

With less than two months until the Squared Circle Expo II, the promoters are still not done making it bigger and better. The latest addition to the already jam-packed wrestler lineup is All Elite Wrestling star Ruby Soho.

Michigan-born Soho made her wrestling debut in 2010. Soho has had stints in Ohio Valley Wrestling, Shine, Chikara, WWE and other companies before joining AEW in 2021. Along the way, Soho won several titles, including the OVW Women's Championship.

Soho won her AEW debut match, earning a shot at the AEW Women's Championship. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. defeated Soho to retain her title, but only with interference from Baker allies. Soho continued being a main event player, even competing in the finals of the TBS Champion tournament losing to Jade Cargill making Cargill.

At C2E2 last year, Soho was one of the most popular guests. Fans waited several hours to meet her and she did not disappoint, making each encounter special for the fans. When I met her, I commented on her purple gel pen, which became a running joke between us the rest of the weekend any time I was around her booth. She had fun with the photo ops, too, posing in different ways.

These little touches might not sound like much, but within the constraints of comic cons, these special touches really make a difference. Soho had lengthy lines, but I think she gained even more fans after the appearance.

It's not a surprise she has been added to the wrestler lineup at SCX II. I have previously written SCX last year had the most fan-friendly collection of guests I have seen at any convention. I'm sure that is no accident. The promoters of SCX work tirelessly to make the event extremely fun for all attendees.

Soho joins a lengthy, star-studded list of wrestlers already announced for SCX II. That list includes Danhausen, Jeff Jarrett, John Morrison, Shane Douglas, Mickie James, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, John Bradshaw Layfield, Ron Simmons, Ted DiBiase, New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn), Rikishi, Lex Luger, Carlito, Matt Cardona, Hangman Adam Page, Brody King, Brian Cage, Swoggle, Santana and Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, the Lucha Bros., the Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher), Primo and Epico, FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood), the Good Brothers, Dalton Castle, Ethan Page, Alan 5 Angel, Chelsea Green, Fuego Del Sol, Abadon, Brian Myers, Sharkboy, the Steiner Brothers, the Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman, Jr. and Griff Garrison), Larry D, Crazzy Steve and Wolfie D. With about seven weeks until the event, I am betting they still aren't done adding wrestlers to the lineup.

A convention for the wrestling fans, run by dedicated folks, SCX was the best convention debut I have attended and SCX II promises to top it. SCX II is a two day convention running April 15-16 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West. There will be photo ops, meet-and-greets, panels, Q&As, vendors and more, including a full wrestling card on Saturday night.

I will be "On the Beat" at the Squared Circle Expo II from start to finish and beyond, as after the convention ends, I expect several smaller groups to hang out somewhere and continue the fun. I will provide updates before the event and a full recap after it.

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for more info. Be sure to check back here for updates.

 Ruby Soho and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

On the Beat With Sara Richard

I first met Sara Richard at a comic con more than a decade ago. I immediately loved her work and asked for an interview. Since then, I have seen her at many conventions and have done several interviews, becoming friends along the way.

Sara is incredibly talented. An artist, illustrator and writer, Sara creates art for solo projects as well as books, some of which include her writing. Her book total now is climbing rapidly and many are already on my shelf, with the others targeted upon their publishing.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Sara's activities are numerous and interesting. You'd see them, if you follow her on social media. Whether it is cleaning gravestones, studying mushrooms, participating in mudders, cheering for Becky Lynch or anything else, Sara does it with passion and we talk about all of it in our interview.

Sara has a lot of books available with more soon to be released. Sara discusses many in the interview. Check out her thoughts on the books, then go and get those books. You will love them, like I do.

I really appreciate Sara's time. I appreciate her creations. As I have written several times, her version of my Johngy character hangs in my condo and makes me smile every time I see it.

Our interview is at On the Beat With Sara Richard. After you watch the video, go to SaraRichard.com to learn more about her and to see her art and books.

Friend Encounters: Tay Conti and John Dean

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

Taynara Melo de Carvalho is a Brazilian professional wrestler, better known as Tay Conti. She currently wrestles for Al Elite Wrestling.

Conti debuted with the WWE in 2016, but was ultimately a victim of budget cuts during the pandemic. AEW wisely scooped up the talented Conti. In AEW, she has had Women's title matches as well as an NWA Women's title match. At only 26, Conti has a bright future.

At the inaugural Squared Circle Expo last May, Conti was one of the most popular wrestling guests. Aside from her talent and beauty, Conti's popularity at the SCX was in part because this was one of the first appearances she has made (possibly the first major one). Everyone wanted to get a picture or autograph from the rising star.

One of those fans was my pal John Dean. A big wrestling fan and an all around great guy, Dean knows wrestling talent. Of course, he had to meet Conti.

For more information on the SCX go to SquaredCircleX.com. Their next event is April 15-16, 2022. I will be there and I am pretty sure John will, too. Also check AllEliteWrestling.com for more info on Conti. Hopefully, she will return for SCX II and bring many of her AEW mates with her.

Tay Conti and John Dean in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #575 Reggie Jackson & Ryan Zimmerman

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. With football ending, I turn my attention to other sports.

Reggie Jackson started his baseball career with the Kansas City A's. He carved out a Hall of Fame career with the A's, New York Yankees and California Angels, hitting 563 homers and always being in the spotlight. Jackson was part of a special night for the San Jose Sharks, which is when he earned a Celebrity Jersey Card. Jackson wore his regular #44 on his Sharks jersey, which is the number most notably worn by Marc-Edouard-Vlasic, a Sharks defenseman for the last 16 seasons.

A great athlete, Ryan Zimmerman has starred for 16 seasons with the Washington Nationals. Mostly a third baseman, Zim has racked up 1,846 hits in his excellent career. Not content with stopping balls in the infield, Zim got a chance to stop shots on the ice for the Washington Capitals during a practice. Zimmerman's stint as a goalie earned him a Celebrity Jersey Card. Could Zim have followed in the skate prints of goalies like Olaf Kolzig, Mike Palmateer, Don Beaupre and Michel Belhumeur? I would not bet against him.

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Today is my niece Sam's birthday. If she isn't helping others as a healthcare worker, she is probably scaling a mountain, skiing or doing some other fun thing. Either way, I hope she feels the good vibes we are all sending her way.

I admire the way Sam embraces life. She does things I never would have at her age or even now. She is adventurous, tough, fun and so caring. I am so proud of her for who she is.

Sam is a great niece and aunt. Ask me or ask Delaney and Theo (when Theo starts talking). She's also a great dog mom (ask Tris and Tim). In short, Sam is simply a special person.

I don't see Sam often, but we occasionally share silly texts and memes. Distance doesn't stop me from sending love and fun wishes for a fantastic birthday! Happy birthday, Sam. I love you!

Sam, Delaney and Theo in New Lenox, IL-December 2021.

On the Beat With Kayla Gomez

Yesterday, I interviewed young boxer Kayla Gomez for Global Women's Sports Radio. The 18 year old from El Paso, Texas has a unique background and career path and she talked about all of it.

Kayla faced a serious challenge in the form of epileptic seizures until she was five. With medicine and treatments, she outgrew epilepsy. It was a hard time for her and her family, but it showed what a fighter she truly was.

Soon her fighting took place in the boxing ring. As they were in her battle with epilepsy, her grandmother and mother were once again in her corner. This time though, it was the literal corner, as they were Kayla's trainers.

Cindy and Crystal Aceves had more to offer than familial bonds. Both had successful boxing resumes of their own. Team Gomez was a real family effort and a winning combination.

Kayla became the first ever Junior Pan American Games Female Flyweight Champion. As impressive and historic as that is, it is just one of many accomplishments on Kayla's already impressive boxing resume. She was also named the Under Armour Junior Female Boxer of the Year in 2018 and USA Boxing Youth Female Boxer of the Year for 2021.

The rest of her list is much lengthier and seemingly growing with every match. The next big addition to that list Kayla wants is the Olympics in 2024.

Kayla was kind enough to delay a run yesterday to discuss her career. She talked about the possible pressure of growing up in a boxing family, the unique system with two women as her coaches, social media, her boxing style, her training regimen and more.

I was impressed with her positivity and maturity. Her boxing resume speaks volumes of her in-ring ability, but this interview shows the qaulity person Kayla is. It's a winning combination which should take her to even greater success.

Our interview is at On the Beat With Kayla Gomez. I wish Kayla luck and will follow her career here and for GWSR.

Ron English at New York Comic Con 2021

At New York Comic Con, I met artist Ron English for the first time. English is a contemporary artist, focusing on brand imagery, street art and advertising. 

He has produced art on his own and for boks, movies, album covers and more. One of his original characters is MC Supersized, from the movie Super Size Me.

Multi-faceted, English has been known as a rebel. He has been involved in illegal public art campaigns. His goal is to inspire people to look at consumer capitalism. His creations can be bold and grotesque, but they capture your attention.

English is also a fine art painter. He earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Texas.

All of this comes together to make him one of the most intriguing creators I have met. His line at NYCC was too long to even think about an interview, but he is certainly on my radar if given a chance in the future.

Go to Popaganda.com for more info on Ron and his creations. Check NewYorkComicCon.com for updates and scheduling on NYCC.

Ron English and me in New York, NY-October 2021. 

On the Beat With Tatum Edwards Concordia Head Softball Coach

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tatum Edwards, new Concordia Head Softball Coach for GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com. I have interviewed Tatum several times as a player and assistant coach, but this was my first time talking to her as a Head Coach.

Tatum was a star player at the University of Nebraska. She was a dual threat on the mound and at the plate. As a pitcher, Tatum was 70-28, with a 2.02 ERA and 551 strikeouts in 623.1 innings. With a bat, she hit .292 with 46 home runs, 158 RBIs and a .556 slugging percentage.

After college, she played professionally with the National Pro Fastpitch Pennsylvania Rebellion and the Chicago Bandits. She was a key player in back-to-back NPF championships for the Bandits. She was also very popular with Bandit Nation, with fans loving her personality and her walking handstands.

Tatum started her coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She then moved on to Purdue as an assistant. That was followed by a three year stint as the top assistant at Omaha-Nebraska. Late last year, she became Concordia University Head Softball Coach.

I first saw Tatum during her time with the Rebellion, but I didn't get to know her or interview her until she (along with twin sister Taylor) joined the Bandits. Tatum and Taylor quickly became two of my favorites.

I followed both of their careers after they left the Bandits. While Tatum went into coaching, Taylor stayed on the playing field and is currently playing in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Along the way, I also started following younger sister Tristen, then a player at Nebraska and now one of Tatum's assistants at Concordia.

In our interview, Coach Edwards talked about her transition to coaching, the pressure of taking over a successful program, her thoughts on Athletes Unlimited, playing with twin sister Taylor, coaching with younger sister Tristen and much more. of course, Coach Edwards also gave a scouting report on her team.

I appreciate Coach Edwards taking time from her busy early season schedule to talk. I appreciate all she did during her time with the Bandits and since. I have no doubt she will be a very successful coach.

I will be following the Concordia Bulldogs and plan on talking to Coach Edwards again later in the season. Go Bulldogs!

This interview is at On the Beat With Tatum Edwards Concordia Softball Coach. Go to Concordia Softball for more info on the Bulldogs.

Happy Birthday, Louie!

Today is my longtime friend and business partner's birthday. While I am sure his family will celebrate today, rumor has it there will be a poker night soon for Louie to celebrate with friends.

In September 1987, I started what I thought would be a short-term part-time job at Lerner Newspapers. Louie was one of the first people I met there. Little did I know 34+ years later I would think of him as a brother and his family as my extended family.

A great basketball player, Louie has always been hard-working and humble. I'd say he is a great friend and he would shrug it off. That's Lou.

He put me on his softball team during a bad time in my life. I wasn't very good, but friendship meant more to Louie than my contributions. He never got on my for a bad game and always congratulated me when I had a good game. That's Lou.

When Lerner was folding and Louie and I were leaving the Sun-Times, when he said he'd go into business with me, I never hesitated. A better business partner I could not find.

We've been around the country for business and fun. We've worked all hours and all places. It's always more fun than work when we are in it together.

I have seen less of Louie during the pandemic, but we keep in contact with an occasional call or texts. It doesn't matter though. I always know if I needed Lou, he'd be there in a second. That's Lou.

Today I celebrate Louie's birthday and I thank him for being a friend and a brother. Hppy birthday, Lou, but I'm still going to take your money on poker night.

Peter, Effie, Michael, Christopher and Louie in Florida-August 2018.

Darby Allin at Squared Circle Expo (SCX II Update)

The Squared Circle Expo II is two months away. After a fantastic debut and many months of anticipation, SCX II is set to be even better than the inaugural event.

SCX II is a two day convention running April 15-16 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West. It is a convention for the wrestling fans, run by folks dedicated to making it a fantastic event. Their dedication paid off last year as the SCX was the best convention debut I have attended and SCX II promises to top it.

Last year, Darby Allin was one of the guests I really wanted to meet. The young wrestler was a rising star in All Elite Wrestling. Since then he has gotten even bigger, entering a storyline with the legend Sting.

Allin was just one of dozens of wrestlers at SCX. This year, the list is already amazing and it is still growing.

The announced wrestler guest list is lengthy and loaded with talent. Announced so far are Mickie James, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, John Bradshaw Layfield, Ron Simmons, Ted DiBiase, New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn), Rikishi, Lex Luger, Carlito, Matt Cardona, Hangman Adam Page, Brody King, Brian Cage, Swoggle, Santana and Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, the Lucha Bros., the Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher), Primo and Epico FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood), the Good Brothers, Dalton Castle, Ethan Page, Alan 5 Angel, Chelsea Green, Fuego Del Sol, Abadon, Brian Myers, Sharkboy, the Steiner Brothers, the Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman, Jr. and Griff Garrison), Larry D, Crazzy Steve and Wolfie D.

I got tired just typing all those names. I also got dizzy thinking of the level of stardom there.

This list already covers wrestlers from many decades and several companies. I don't think the SCX promoters are done though. More announcements are expected. Last year's guest lineup was collectively one of the most fan-friendly groups I have seen.

SCX II will be taking over the entirety of the Wyndham Indianapolis West's 35,000 square feet of meeting space, transforming it into a pro wrestling fan's paradise. One of the coolest features is the Grand Ballroom, with its' 10,000 square feet becoming the setting for Saturday night's live wrestling.

In addition to the wrestlers listed, there will be panels, Q&As, photo opportunities, vendors and more, Saturday night features a full wrestling card to close out the event.

Actually, close out is kind of up to interpretation. The convention officially ends with the wrestling matches, but the fun will continue long into the night as everyone hangs out soaking in the fun as much as possible.

For more info, go to SquaredCircleX.com and check back here for my updates. I do not work for SCX, but I will be "On the Beat" reporting on all the fun. Did I mention I cannot wait!

Darby Allin and me in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

On the Beat With Jean Fruth

Jean Fruth has carved an impressive legacy in baseball. From the Major Leagues to sand lots in Latin America, Jean has photographed the big moments, the simple times and everything in between. She doesn't just take pictures of baseball. She photographs moments to tell the stories of baseball.

From her start covering the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland A's, Jean moved on to working with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. She is a traveling photographer for La Vida Baseball, a digital media company telling the story of Latino baseball in the United States and Latin America. Jean is recognized by Sony as one of its 45 Sony Artisans of Imagery.

Jean started Grassroots Baseball to promote and celebrate the amateur game around the globe. She has written Grassroots Baseball: Where Legends Begin and Grassroots Baseball: Route 66.

I had the pleasure of talking to Jean about all of this, but really only skimmed the surface of all Jean has done and is doing. I hope this serves as an introduction to Jean and her work, with other interviews to follow, including one about an upcoming project, once it is announced officially.

One thing that came through clearly is Jean's passion for the history of baseball and growing the sport. Jean speaks with reverence about the heroes of the game, like Johnny Bench, Cal Ripken, Vlad Guerrero and others. It's all even more remarkable when you hear Jean's start in photographing baseball.

Jean's career path is really a love story. She isn't about the grandeur, spectacle and limelight. She finds as much joy in a group of kids playing on a dirt field somewhere as she does a World Series game. Perhaps even more, because it is in those off the grid moments when youngsters fall in love with baseball. It is those moments Jean wants to capture.

Her websites aren't filled with pictures of Jean hobnobbing with baseball royalty. Of course, there are pictures of Jean with some legends and at big games, but the focus is clearly on the players and moments that make the game. I have spent a lot of time just getting lost in her pictures, recalling my connections with some of the players and imagining the moments of others.

If you're a baseball fan, you will absolutely love Jean's work. If you aren't a fan, you will still love her work for the stories her photographs tell.

Jean's Grassroots Baseball: Route 66 is due out in April. Check her website or here for updates and info on that book and other projects.

The interview is at On the Beat With Jean Fruth. Also, check JeanFruthImages.com and GrassrootsBaseball.com for more info and news.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #574 Taran Killam & Bootsy Collins

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today I celebrate the two teams playing in the big game (am I allowed to call it the S**r B**l or is that copyrighted?)

Born in Culver City, CA, actor Taran Killam is a big fan of the Los Angeles Rams. Killam's first film role was in Naked Gun 33 1/3. From there he has gone on to many television and movie parts. Certainly no bandwagon jumper, Killam has been seen at many games wearing several different jerseys. He has worn #99 among others, but for this Celebrity Jersey Card, I cannot make out his number.

Bootsy Collins was born in Cincinnati, OH and grew up to be an accomplished musician. Not just a Cincy treasure, Collins has performed with legends such as James Brown and Funkadelic. Collins has been spotted several times wearing the stripes of his Bengals, including in at least one of his music videos. His Celebrity Jersey Card is certainly funkadelic! He is seen wearing #1, which was worn most notably by Ja'Marr Chase (actually, only Chase has worn #1.)

Friend Encounters: Martin Brodeur and Birthday Boy JayHawk Evans

Friend Encounters is a weekly series about friends meeting celebrities. Today is a special birthday edition for my pal Jason.(aka JayHawk Evans).

I have known Jason for 25+ years. He came into Lerner Newspapers as a part-time telemarketer and proved to be horrible at it. (Maybe he just didn't care to be good.) In either case, telemarketing's loss was the company's gain. More importantly, I had no idea back then he would become a great friend.

Shortly after his arrival at Lerner, he quickly became the "go-to" guy for any computer issues.For the next several years, his value to Lerner was immeasurable.

Over those same years, Jason and I grew to be great friends. Jason joined the crew of Louie, Chuck, (the other Jason) and Jim (and later Cuzz).

Jason and I have had lots of great adventures. One of us (him) tripped off the security when he went to the backroom of a store to look for Star Wars figures. One of us (him) acted very thoughtful when he feigned concern looking for Canadian Coke when he was actually looking for Star Wars figures again. There were many more, but you get the picture.

Also, one of us (me) proudly stood up for the other's  (him) wedding. I admit, I got a little teary-eyed seeing how happy Jason was (and still is). He deserves it all.

With no offense to his bride Heather, was he happier that day or the day he met Martin Brodeur, his hockey idol? In his words, "It's not every day you get to meet the greatest goaltender of all time Martin Brodeur. But at tonight's Rockford IceHogs vs Chicago Wolves game, I met one of my all time favorites. He was cool enough to take a photo with me and sign my jersey. So freaking awesome!!"

I joke. I am sure Heather is tops on that list (certainly no worse than second to Brodeur LOL).

I am also sure Heather and their two cute kids will be celebrating Jason's big day. From across the Chicago area, I raise a toast to my dear friend. Happy birthday, Jason!

Jason Fleigel and Martin Brodeur in Rosemont, IL-January 2016.

On the Beat With Kenna Wilkey

Kenna Wilkey was a star player on the Northwestern Wildcats softball team. After three seasons (plus a COVID non-season), Kenna is taking her talents to the University of Houston.

A Chicago area native, Kenna was a two-sport athlete in high school. In basketball, she scored 1,000 points in just three seasons. On the softball diamond, Kenna was a dual threat on the mound and at the plate.

At Northwestern, Kenna started 42 games (77 total appearances) and amassed 33 wins with a 3.25 ERA. She struck out 275 batters in 318.2 innings. She also hit .248 in 218 at-bats.

I was sad when I saw Kenna's announcement about transferring to Houston. In addition to being a great player, she is a class act. It was always fun seeing her play or just catching up a bit post-game.

I reached out to Kenna about an interview and she graciously responded positively. On Wednesday, after practice, Kenna jumped on a Zoom session with me.

We talked about her memories at Northwestern, her reasons for going to Houston, her thoughts on Athletes Unlimited softball, her future and more. While I have known Kenna for four years, this was the first in depth conversation we have had. As impressed as I was with Kenna before, I came away even more impressed after talking to her.

Kenna talked openly about her decision to leave Northwestern and Chicago. It wasn't an easy decision, but her reasons and approach show a level of maturity beyond her years. She also showed great courage. It would have been the easy thing to do to stay at Northwestern and finish her career with the Wildcats, but Kenna wanted something different for herself and she made the tough choice.

With two years of eligibility left, Kenna's immediate future is on the field, but we talked about where she goes in the future. She has experience coaching and I see that in her future, but she also has a passion for working with special needs children. When Kenna talks about her work with those children, you can feel her dedication. Whatever she does though, Kenna will be a success and others will benefit.

Obviously, the Cougars do not play anywhere near Chicago, meaning I will not see Kenna pitch in person. I will be following the Cougars online however. I'll be cheering for #33 from afar. I'll also catch up with Kenna later in the season, as she has agreed to come back on with me for updates.

I really appreciate Kenna's time. Even more important, I appreciate all Kenna did at Northwestern. It was truly a pleasure watching her progress over the years. She is a special player and a special person. We'll miss Kenna in Chicago, but Houston has gained a bunch of new fans. Good luck, Kenna, and thank you.

The interview is at On the Beat With Kenna Wilkey. Go to UHCougars.com for more info on Kenna and the team.

Kal Herro at GLCW's Release the Titan

I always like following someone's journey from the beginning. I can't recall following anyone farher back than Kal Herro, though.

Long before he was "The Fanny Pack Kid," Kal was a toddler seen at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling events with his dad promoter and #SuperFriend David. I remember Kal almost from when he started walking.

Watching his growth in life and wrestling has been amazing. It's been fun, exciting, heartwarming and more, all rolled into one young man's life.

Right from the start, Kal seemed to have the "it" factor. He had a sparkle in his eye. He had personality even without speaking. The kid didn't fall far from poppa Dave's tree either.

Kal is grew up with wrestling legends, teaching and guiding him, but none of that would matter if Kal hadn't put in the work and dedication. Nothing has been handed to Kal. He has earned everything he gets and more.

He is currently wrestling and learning at Ohio Valley Wrestling, run by his "uncle" Al Snow. He already holds tag team gold with Dustin Jackson as The Fanny Pack Party and had some great matches against Jesse Godderz, OVW National Heavyweight champ. I am not going on a limb by proclaiming Kal will one day (soon) be in the major promotions (WWE, AEW or Impact). This young man is that good.

Saturday, February 26, Kal will once again be in action, as part of a six-man tag match at Release the Titan, featuring Adam Scherr (fka WWE's Braun Strowman). I will be "On the Beat" reporting on all the action.

Go to GLCWWrestling.com for more info on Release the Titan and more. Follow The Fanny Pack Kid - Kal Herro on Facebook and other social media outlets to keep up with this rising young star.

 

Kal Herro and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.

Art Baltazar Loves Johngy's Beat

I had the pleasure of doing an update interview with world famous cartoonist Art Baltazar at C2E2. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Art Baltazar at C2E2 2021.

Interviews with Art are always fun. I never know exactly where they will go, but they always go several interesting places.

After the interview, Art was kind enough to do a promo for Johngy's Beat. I appreciate that greatly and encourage all to check out ArtBaltazar.com for all of his awesome work. Also, check out his Aw Yeah Comics Store if you ever get the chance. You might even see me at the Skokie location.

Jay Bradley at Blizzard Brawl 2019

Jay Bradley has wrestled for the WWE (as Ryan Braddock), for TNA/Impact (as Jay Bradley and Aiden O'Shea) and several independent companies. It was at Resistance Pro in 2011, where I first met Jay, although I was aware of him already at that point.

I was always and still am a big fan of Jay's work. His "Boom stick" move can be devastating and he delivers it well. His size, skills and attitude, coupled with the boom stick make him as good a total package is there is out there.

Jay is currently working for THE nwa, as an active wrestler, but probably a bit of a coach, too. Jay has the mind needed to be a great teacher. I am pretty sure any students of Jay's would not be big into the flipping and flopping that is too common these days. Jay is much more old school, but still very relevant.

I haven't seen Jay since Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl 2019, where he was part of a 6 man tag match. Jay did deliver the boom stick during the bout, but in this type of match, he did not see a ton of action. I was a bit disappointed, because I wanted to see Jay go smashmouth one-on-one with any opponent. I wanted to see a brutal slugfest, which I know Jay can deliver.

Still, it was great seeing Jay. I consider him to be one of my favorites on the indy scene.

I really think he would have been the champ at RPro during his time there, except he was in demand in Japan and by TNA. You always knew you would see an excellent match when Jay was involved.

Go to NationalWrestlingAlliance.com for more info on Jay and the NWA. You can go to the Great Lakes Championship Wrestling site for all of their news and events, the next of which is Release the Titan featuring Adam Scherr (aka Braun Strowman) on Saturday, February 19.

Jay Bradley and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2019.

Friend Encounters: Kevin Sullivan and Tony Feddeler

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

Admittedly, I am biased, but I think Kevin Sullivan is one of the most underrated talents in pro wrestling. As he proved many times, he has a fantastic mind for the business.

Unfortunately, a lot of Sullivan's best work was in Florida, before the internet and cable television, which limited the audience. The most exposure he got was probably during his stints in World Championship Wrestling. I always wanted to see Sullivan or one of his stablemates take down Hulk Hogan, but it wasn't going to happen.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Sullivan a few times, the latest being at the Squared Circle Expo's debut event last May. Also there was my buddy Tony Feddeler, who made a big impression on Sullivan, who loved his tshirt. Sullivan actually asked for a picture with Tony because of that shirt. That interaction was just one of many moments that made the SCE special. 

As happy as I was to see Sullivan again, I was also glad to reconnect with Tony. I hadn't seen him since the pandemic shut down everything. We both missed seeing friends at conventions and it was great to finally be back doing just that. I am excited about the upcoming SCE II, which promises to be bigger and better, if that is even possible.

SCE 2021 runs April 15-16, 2022. For more info, check SquaredCircleX.com.

Tony Feddeler and Kevin Sullivan in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #573 Brooke Long & Stacey Gardner

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. While on an off week for the NFL, I present two random teams for no real reason.

Brooke Long held briefcase #15 on tv's Deal or No Deal. Long is a native of Los Angeles, California, who became a cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers, LA Lakers, Miami Heat and others. On a special NFL episode, Long earned a Celebrity Jersey Card while wearing a Baltimore Ravens jersey and posing with New York Jets legend Wayne Chrebet and Oakland Raiders Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. Josh Johnson was the most recent player to wear #15 for the Ravens.

Born in Beverly Hills, Stacey Gardner held briefcase #2 on DOND. Not only is she a model, she is also an attorney. For her Celebrity Jersey Card, she is seen wearing #2 of the (then) San Diego Chargers on the set, surrounded by several other models. The most notable player to wear #2 for the Chargers was punter Darren Bennett.

Cards That Never Were: Fred Willis Topps 1976 & 1977

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. Other creations of mine and many others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (which is not just baseball cards, despite the name).
After starring at Boston College, Fred Willis was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 4th round of the 1971 NFL draft. Willis played one full season with the Bengals, before being traded to the Houston Oilers midway through his second season. He stayed with Houston and retired after the 1976 season. In his career, he rushed for 2,831 yards for a 3.6 yard average with 18 TDs.
For his efforts, Topps gave Willis cards in sets from 1972-1975. I created a 1976 card, also featuring QBs Lynn Dickey and Dan Pastorini and a 1977 :career capper" for Willis.

Liz Nagy and Cheryl Burton at the Chicago Auto Show 2018

The Chicago Auto Show is back February 12-21 and promises to be a great event. After the pandemic caused a postponement and a scaling back of the show, CAS 2022 i back to the usual time slot and duration.

ABC & news has had a big presence at CAS. In 2018, the newscasters rotated in and out seemingly for the entire convention. I met most of the ABC staff, including Liz Nagy and Cheryl Burton.

Nagy joined ABC 7 in March 2016. Over the years, she has proven to be an excellent reporter.

Burton joined ABC 7 in 1992. The former Honey Bear cheerleader eventually became an anchor, a psotion she still holds.

The ladies were very engaging at CAS. Not only did they mett-and-greet fans at the ABC 7 booth, they were pretty much mobbed on the way to and from the booth and they graciously posed for ictures the entire time.

I don't know yet about the guest lineup for CAS 2022, but with it going for 10 days, I am guessing there will be several guests. I would love to see ABC 7 to the both again, but that remains to be seen. Either way, I will be "On the Beat" seeing whoever is there.

Go to ChicagoAutoShow.com for more info and updates. Check back here and GlobalTravelerUSA.com for my coverage.

Liz Nagy, Cheryl Burton and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Eddie Olczyk at the Chicago Auto Show 2018

The Chicago Auto Show returns to its usual winter time slot, running February 12-21. I will be back "On the Beat" as usual.

Along with all of the cars, vehicles and technology. one of the fun parts for me is the celebrity lineup. One of my favorite celebs from past shows is Eddie Olczyk.

Chicago native Olczyk was selected by his hometown Chicago Blackhawks in the 1984 NHL Draft. Unfortunately, he would only play three seasons with the Hawks, but he played 17 seasons in the NHL and even returned to the Hawks for his final two seasons. Since then he has done broadcasting, most recently (and currently) for the Hawks.

Despite his Chicago roots, I somehow never met Olczyk until the Chicago Auto Show in 2018. That show had one of the biggest celebrity lineups, but "Eddie O" was my main target. Fortunately, I was able to talk to him for a few minutes at the end of his shift. He was in a battle with cancer, but thankfully just a short time later, he announced he was "officially cancer-free." I told him he needed to write a book, but I am pretty sure he was already on it, because the next year he released his autobiography.

For more info on this year's show, go to ChicagoAutoShow.com. Check back here and GlobalTravelerUSA.com for my coverage.

Eddie Olczyk and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Nick Shepkowski and Barry Rozner at the Chicago Auto Show 2018

The Chicago Auto Show returns February 12-21. I will be "On the Beat" and I cannot wait.

Like most other conventions CAS was postponed and scaled back. While the pandemic is still around, some things are returning to some sort of normal.I am sure the CAS 2022 will have some restrictions, but it will be great to be back. It's a good sign it is scheduled for 10 days, too.

At CAS 2018, WCSR radio did a lot of live broadcasting from the show floor. I met Nick Shepkowski and Barry Rozner, two of my favorite Score personalities, despite them not being everyday hosts. Shep is a producer and occasional host, while Rozner is a retired sports columnist and occasional host. I find them refreshing. Maybe it is because they aren't on every day.

I mean no disrespect to any hosts when I write that. Being on the air for a few hours every day has to be tough. Of course, it is worth the pay and I would do it in a second, but it is still a challenge to develop interesting content for that many hours.

That's one reason why I like broadcasters like Shep and Rozner. They aren't over saturated on the air. Of course, they also have talent.

When I saw they were broadcasting from CAS 2018, I planted myself by the booth and enjoyed their work. During a break, I approached them for a picture and to express my appreciation for what they do.

WSCR has not broadcast there since then unfortunately. I really liked seeing Shep, Rozner and the other hosts doing their shows live.

Go to ChicagoAutoShow.com for more info on the event. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Nick Shepkowski, Barry Rozner and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Looking Forward to Swoggle at Squared Circle Expo II

The Squared Circle Expo II is 73 days away. SCX II returns to the Wyndham Indianapolis West April 15-16. With two days of meet-and-greets, Q&As, photo ops, panels, vendors, matches and more, it is two days of pure fun for the wrestling fan. I wrote more about it for Global Women's Sports Radio at Mickie James Appearing at Squared Circle Expo II.

One of the recent guest announcements included Dylan Postl, better known as Hornswoggle or Swoggle from the WWE. Standing at 4'5", Postl has made a pretty big impact in wrestling.

After debuting in 2006, Postl was involved in many storylines, including the Anonymous GM bit and the Vince McMahon son saga. Along the way, he also won the Cruiserweight title once and was the winner of the 2008 Mini Royal Rumble.

In 2019, Postl released Life Is Short and So Am I: My Life Inside, Outside and Under the Wrestling Ring. The book is a look at his work in pro wrestling, but also his life before the WWE. Postl has overcoe a lot to get where he is and his story is fascinating.

I have met Postl a few times, most recently at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl, and he is always a good time. I am really looking forward to seeing him again at SCX II.

As my aforementioned article reveals, Postl is just one of many qrestler guests in a jam-packed lineup. SCX II is going to be a blast, probably even better than last year's debut, if that is possible.

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for more info and updates. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage.

Swoggle and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.