John Delaney at Wizard World 2021

Emmy Award winning storyboard artist, director, designer, animator and comic book artist John Delaney has more 20 years of experience. He has worked for MGM, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Disney and many others. For more than 17 years, he has done freelance work for DC Comics. John also does commissions.

I love John's twitter opening statement. "Artist looking 4 his spot on the canvas of life while avoiding the things that cre8 an abstract existence." That's a true artist sentiment.

At Wizard World Chicago 2021, I talked a bit about comic cons and art with Delaney. We lamented the end of Wizard World, but look forward to it living on in Fan Expo, which acquired Wizard World shortly before this convention.

Fan Expo has already announced several events for 2022, including Fan Expo Chicago July 7-10. I will be "On the Beat" for the first Chicago show.

Check out John Delaney-Artist on twitter for more info. Go to FanExpoHQ.com for news and updates on that great convention.

John Delaney and me in Rosemont, IL-October 2021.

On the Beat With Savanah Whatley

Earlier this week, I interviewed Savanah Whatley of Oregon State Softball. There's a lot more to this infielder than her play on the field and Savanah talks about all of it in our interview. Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Savanah Whatley.

In her youth, Savanah was the victim of bullying. Through her faith and with softball as an outlet, she was able to persevere. She was a four-year starter, who ended her career at Heritage High School. She was a two-time all-league choice and the Prep2Prep Junior Player of the Year in 2019. She was also a member of the Mexican Junior National team in 2017

Starting her collegiate career at the University of Utah, Savanah appeared in nine games for the Utes. After transferring to Oregon State University, Savanah appeared in her first games last weekend, going 3-9, including a double for her first hit. On the double, Savanah showed her hustle with a head-first dive into second base. As she brushed off the dirt, Savanah's enthusiasm was visible. Who was more excited though, Savanah or her mom?

Oregon State is 25-8 on the season, but only 2-4 in conference play. It's still early and the Pac-12 is possibly the most competitive softball conference. There is still plenty of softball left this season, including a big three game series at Oregon late in the season. Savanah talked about the big interstate rivalry between the two schools.

Savanah openly discussed mental health awareness, which led her to start her own clothing brand. Her "Whatley Crew" and "Enough" apparel is both stylish and powerful.

Savanah is an incredible young woman and athlete. A woman of deep faith and determination, she has already overcome obstacles and is helping others do the same by being a role model.

I was impressed that a young person was able to see life's challenges and to address them. It is significant that a young, talented athlete is open about her challenges. These are real life issues that anyone can face.

Our interview wasn't all about serious topics though. Savanah was kind enough to indulge me in some discussion about ketchup on chicken nuggets, one of her favorite foods. She's doing everything else right, so maybe I need to rethink my stance on ketchup.

I really appreciate Savanah's time and consideration in giving me the interview. More importantly, I admire Savanah's strength and maturity. Shortly after our interview, I went to Savanah's Instagram page and purchased a shirt. I am now an official member of the Whatley Crew.

Tom Prichard at Squared Circle Expo

The Squared Circle Expo is about 2.5 weeks away and I cannot wait. Running April 15-16, SCX is a wrestling convention run by great folks. Last year, I was happy to see Tom Prichard.

I hadn't seen him in about 15 years. Prichard had an underrated career of nearly 30 years. He might be best known for his run with Jimmy Del Ray in the Heavenly Bodies or with Chris Candido in the Bodydonnas, but his career extends far beyond those two gimmicks.

I heard an interview with Prichard about the Bodydonnas. Although he wasn't ecstatic with the gimmick, he made it work, as did Candido. They even won the WWF tag-team titles once. That's pretty good for two guys who were thought to be props for Sunny at the time.

It's also a bit of a shame. Both Candido and Prichard deserved better than that gimmick. Both were very talented performers with a head for the business. At least Prichard seems to have a good view about things.

As a side note, Tom is the brother of Bruce, who was probably best known as Brother Love in the WWF. Although Bruce was a manager, announcer and held other non-wrestling roles, I would have liked to see the brothers have a run together in the WWF, but their relationship was never acknowledged as far as I know.

SCX II takes over the Wyndham Indianapolis for two days of wrestling fun. There will be meet-and-greets, Q&As, panels and more, concluding with a big night of wresting on Saturday. It is all a wrestling fan could want in a convention and it is done well.

For more info on SCX II, go to SquaredCircleX.com. Also check here for my recurring coverage.

Tom Prichard and me in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Friend Encounters: Booker T and Tony Feddeler

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

Booker T is a feelgood wrestling success story. In his early 20s, Booker spent time in jail for robbery. Once released, at the urging of his brother Stevie Ray, Booker embarked on a wrestling career. Booker and Stevie Ray became one of the most successful tag teams, before Booker went on to solo stardom. Booker won many titles as part of the Harlem Heat tag team and as a singles wrestler. Now retired, Booker is still active on WWE TV as a commentator and analyst.

The Squared Circle Expo last May featured dozens of wrestling legends, but perhaps Booker was the biggest name. I had met Booker a few times already, but I couldn't pass up meeting the legend again. Neither could my friend Tony.

I have featured Tony several times here. He's a great guy and one friend I really missed during the pandemic. We don't often see each other, but I can usually count on reconnecting with him at such events. Without these events, we were left to texting and messaging. The SCE was the first real return to normalcy.

Booket T and Tony would have made an interesting tag team. They wouldn't do anything cheesy like Harlem Heat 2020 (those type names are never a good sign). Maybe Chicago Cold? Their finisher could be the snow plow. I'll keep thinking.

For more info on SCE II scheduled for April 15-16, 2022, go to SquaredCircleX.com. It's too early to know if Booker will be there again, but there definitely will be a guest roster full of legends and Tony will probably be there, too. He's a legend all by himself!

Booker T and Tony Feddeler in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Makayla Packer Shout Out

Makayla Packer is a sophomore softball player at Auburn University. Last season, she made the 2021 All-SEC Freshman Team. This season, she is of to a hot start, hitting .406, with 5 HRs, 13 RBIs, 27 runs scored and 26 hits. At 27-3, the Tigers are off to an equally torrid start.

Recently, Makayla was kind enough to send a shout out to Johngy's Beat. I thank Makayla and appreciate her support. We return the favor and encourage all to check out Makayla and her team at AuburnTigers.com.

Cards That Never Were: Craig Robinson Topps 1973, '76-'78

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).

After playing at Wake Forest, Craig Robinson was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 11th round of the 1970 MLB Draft. Robinson made his debut with five games in 1972. He played the 1973 season with the Phillies, but was traded to the Atlanta Braves before the '74 season. Midway through the '75 season, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants. Just over a year later, Robinson was traded back to the Braves. He was released by the Braves prior to the '78 season, ending his career.

For his career, in parts of six seasons, Robinson played in 292 games, collecting 157 hits for an average of .219 with no home runs, 42 RBIs and 80 runs scored. He was also fourth in the National League in putouts by a shortstop in 1974.

For his efforts, Robinson got cards in 1974 (also the '74 Traded subset) and '75. That left '73 and '76-'78. Most of the cards were easy to make, but I struggled with '73. It took me a while, but I finally found a picture I could use for his '73 rookie card.

On the Beat With Vera Jo Bustos

I had the pleasure of interviewing Vera Jo Bustos, a former college and pro basketball player, who went on to become a coach, motivational speaker and now, an author. Vera Jo details her fascinating life in her book "A Mindful Journey: An Adventure of Discovery & Transformation" and gives us a brief look in our interview. That interview is at On the Beat With Vera Jo Bustos.

After a standout career at Adams State University, which would ultimately lead to her induction into the ASU Hall of Fame, Vera Jo went to Greece to play. The decision to play in Greece turned out to be much more than simply continuing her playing career. Vera Jo describes it as "an adventure of a lifetime." It was an experience that would shape her life.

In "A Mindful Journey," Vera Jo tells her story of going to a foreign land, learning the language of the people and the game. It's a story of dealing with obstacles and of self-discovery. 

Vera Jo gives a glimpse into her philosophies of mental toughness and attitudes. In a matter of a few minutes, Vera Jo clearly describes and gives examples of changing a mindset and practices. Of course, she goes into much more detail in her book, but this short interview shed a lot of light on her thought process. It's easy to see why Vera Jo is a successful motivational speaker. She even speaks of the rush she gets as she heads out to speak. It's much more than a job for Vera Jo. It's a calling and a passion.

After researching Vera Jo and talking to her, I was so impressed, I immediately ordered her book. Clearly I am not a young athlete, but if Vera Jo could enlighten me in just a few minutes of talking, I have no doubt her book will teach me valuable lessons for life.

I thank Vera Jo for her time and consideration. I encourage everyone to check out VeraJoBustos.com and MentalitySolutions.com.

Jessie Godderz at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling

Great Lakes Championship Wrestling returns to action this Saturday with Merrill Mania in Merrill, Wisconsin, featuring Scotty 2 Hotty. Also appearing will be Jessie Godderz.

The man called Mr. Pec-Tacular is the current and first ever Ohio Valley Wrestling National Heavyweight champ. He is also a former OVW Television champ and a six-time OVW Southern Tag Team champ. He previously wrestled in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he won the tag tiles (with Robbie E) twice.

Godderz is known outside of the wrestling world for being on the 10th season of television's Big Brother. He was eliminated in the fourth week, but returned for the 11th season. He was evicted on the 40th day of that season.

I met Godderz at GLCW's Golden Days. At the pre-show meet-and-greet, Godderz heard special guest Terri Runnels discussing running with me and he asked me about my running when I went to his table. I found that interesting. He cared enough to ask and to engage me. That's a bit more than expected at meet-and-greets, but it left an impression and I appreciated him for it.

Go to GLCWWrestling.com for more info on Merrill Mania. I hope to see many of my friends there.

Jessie Godderz and me in Cedarburg, WI-January 2022.

DJ Corchin at Wizard World 2021

I met author-illustrator DJ Corchin many years ago at a comic con. I have interviewed him several times. The last interview, featuring Joey Roth handling the questions, can be found at On the Beat with DJ Corchin at C2E2 2021.

DJ writes books for children, which are also enjoyable for us big kids. His books gently teach life lessons, like communication, understanding and cooperation. His books are great learning tools for children, because they aren't preachy and don't pound lessons. DJ weaves lessons into interesting stories with colorful fun illustrations. I think so highly of DJ's books that I included Do You Speak Fish?, his latest, on Great Reads 2021 for Global Traveler.

For more info on DJ and his work, go to DJCorchin.com. Also, go to C2E2.com for more info on C2E2 2022, scheduled for August 5-7, 2022.

DJ Corchin and me in Rosemont, IL-October 2021.

Jordyn Rudd of Northwestern Sends a Shout Out

The Northwestern Wildcats Home Opener is today. The Wildcats host city rival Loyola at Sharon J. Drysdale Field at 3 PM.

When the Wildcats take the field, Jordyn Rudd will be behind home plate. The senior catcher was a workhorse last season, starting all 47 games. She also led all Big Ten catchers in batting average (.329) and hits (51), while making the Defensive All-Big Ten team.

In her career, #38 has started 130 games, hitting .315 with 13 HRs, 102 RBIs and 57 runs scored. She also sports a sparkling .992 fielding average.

Jordyn sent a shout out to me earlier this year. Thank you to Jordyn. I appreciate the support. In turn, I encourage all to check out the Wildcats at NUSports.com.

Once again, I'll be "On the Beat" all season. Check my coverage here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, GlobalSportsNews.com and Patch.com.

Friend Encounters: Red and Jonathan Cimaglio

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

Today, our old Chicago Bandits buddy takes a break from chasing sports autographs to chase music autographs. For someone who has as many autographs as Cimags, it's all part of the fun in graphing.

Red (or R3D or RED) is a Christian rock band from Nashville, TN. It was formed in 2002 by brothers guitarist Anthony Armstrong and bassist Randy Armstrong, with lead vocalist Michael Barnes.

The band has won several awards and have been nominated for many more presented by the Gospel Music Association. Among other awards, they won Rock Recorded Song of the Year four times.

Cimags hasn't won any awards yet, but he's got an interesting YouTube channel. His Cimags channel has cool autograph stuff, including unboxing videos. He also has Polemon videos. You can check out his stuff on the Cimags YT Channel.

I haven't seen Cimags much since he moved to Minnesota. I'll probably see him less now that the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits have ceased operations. Hopefully, someday our paths will cross. Until then, I'll recall his spirit by featuring him here on occasion.

Red and Jonathan Cimaglio in Minneapolis, MN-August 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #579 Norman Smiley & Pat Patterson

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

England born Norman Smiley made his wrestling debut in 1985. While he won several titles in his career, he is probably most known for winning the WCW Hardcore Championship twice. It was a title Smiley reluctantly won and defended in very protective gear, as seen in the Celebrity Jersey Card I created. In this instance, Smiley was in full goaltender's gear, except for the mask, as Brian Knobbs of the Nasty Boys prepares to wallop him with a trash can.

Born in Canada, Pat Patterson would go onto have a lengthy career in the WWF/E. He started as a wrestler and eventually became a fixture behind the scenes. He "won" the first Intercontinental tile in a fictitious tournament in Rio de Janeiro, something that could never happen today with the internet. Patterson was one of the first openly gay wrestlers (possibly the first). For his Celebrity Jersey Card, Patterson is wearing the sweater of his hometown Montreal Canadiens.

On the Beat With Billie Starkz

Young wrestling champ Billie Starkz joined Tommy Else and me on The Johngy OR Else podcast. Starkz is currently the holder of two championship belts, as reigning champ at 2econd Wrestling and Girl Fight Wrestling,

Starkz, 17, has wrestling experience beyond her years. Falling in love with wrestling after watching it an an early age, Starkz knew she wanted to be a professional wrestler. With that in mind, she decided to start training then, instead of waiting until after college. Those early years of training paid off, as despite her youth, she is considered to be one of the top wrestling prospects.

One of Starkz's greatest strengths is her versatility. She is equally comfortable wrestling men and women. She is equally able to wrestle a highly technical match, while also being capable of brawling with anyone. She has a fantastic moveset and a tremendous ability to connect with the crowd.

At 2econd Wrestling Flood Zone a few weeks ago, Starkz beat two men in the final rounds of a tournament to become their first ever champ. Challengers are already lining up and Starkz is ready to face anyone. I was at Flood Zone, watching up close as Starkz won the matches and had the crowd fiercely behind her. The energy was incredible.

On the other hand, Starkz is also excited about defending her Girl Fight Wrestling championship. On April 12 at Nothing Can Stop Us, Starkz can expect a smashmouth battle as Kimber Lee challenges her for the GFW title.

We talked to Starkz about all of this, including her hobbies, wrestling overseas, her first wrestling role models and more. She told a great story about explaining her career to high school teachers and friends.

Like so many others, including our friends Mad Man Pondo and author John Cosper, Tommy and I are very impressed with Starkz. She has everything i takes to become a big star in pro wrestling. She has an awesome start and looks to have a bright future. We'll certainly be following her.

Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Billie Starkz. Thank you to Starkz for her time and consideration. Check out 2econdWrestling.com and GirlFightWrestling.com for more info and look for Starkz everywhere.

Looking Forward to Chelsea Green at Squared Circle Expo II

After a highly successful debut last year, the Squared Circle Expo II is returning April 15-16 in Indianapolis, IN. One of the guest I look forward to seeing again is Chelsea Green.

After a few misses at other events, I finally met Impact Wrestling star Chelsea Green at C2E2 last year. Chelsea was a fantastic guest at C2E2 and is an excellent addition to the SCX II guest lineup. I wrote more about Chelsea at Chelsea Green Added to Squared Circle Expo II on Global Women's Sports Radio.

Appearing at Michael Kingston's Headlocked Comic booth at C2E2, Chelsea was as pleasant as could be. She made each fan's moment a special one. I visited the booth several times to talk to Michael and Chelsea even noticed I had changed shirts during one day's event. After meeting hundreds of fans, I was surprised she would even remember me, let alone the shirt I was wearing. It became a bit fo a joke all weekend

Last year, SCX surpassed all expectations, especially for a debut event. It was two solid days of meet-and-greets, panels, Q&As, vendors and more, ending with a solid night of wrestling. The promoters did a great job making sure things ran smoothly right from the first announcement. On one hand, they set a high bar to match this year. On the other hand, I have total confidence they will reach and pass that bar.

Go to the Squared Circle Expo Facebook page for more info. Also, check C2E2.com for info on C2E2 2022 December 10-12. As always, I'll be "On the Beat" at both events. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Chelsea Green and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

Dexton Crutchfield Shout Out

Standing at only 5'8", Dexton Crutchfield can dunk a basketball with the best of them. There are a bunch of videos of DC dunking and they are all incredible. He has a reported vertical leap of 63 inches. Dexton even took his skills to the Harlem Globetrotters.

After Tommy Else and I were "On the Beat" at a Globies game in Rosemont earlier this year, Dexton was kind enough to send a shout out my way. Maybe not so kind, as he trash talked my HORSE abilities. He is probably right though. While I have a good long shot, I am sure his trick shooting and dunks would be enough to destroy me. I'd be happy with getting one letter on him.

Either way, I appreciate the video. I encourage all to check out Dexton on Instagram.

Ali Cantarella Loves Johngy's Beat

Johngy's Beat Contributor Joey Roth and I interviewed artist Ali Cantarella at C2E2. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Ali Cantarella at C2E2.

I have been a fan of Ali's work for years. A couple years ago, I asked Ali to do her version of the Johngy character. The next time I saw her, she presented me with her creation which blew me away. I made a special Cantarella Ink Edition Johngy's Beat shirt and presented it to her at C2E2.

Ali was kind enough to do a promo for Johngy's Beat while wearing the shirt she designed. How cool is that?

I return the favor and encourage all to check out Cantarella.Ink to see all of Ali's beautiful works. Also, follow her on social media to see the latest fun things she is doing. Lastly, go to C2E2.com for updates and news on C2E2 2022.

On the Beat With Ashley VanBoxmeer of Softball KC

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ashley VanBoxmeer, owner and instructor at Softball KC. Ashley has been training young female softball players at Softball KC since 2017, but her connection with softball goes back to her youth and I learned about her journey in our interview which is at On the Beat With Ashley VanBoxmeer.

While growing up in California, Ashley played softball with traveling teams. As a high school junior, she tore her ACL, one of several injuries Ashley would overcome during her playing career. She started her college career as a shortstop at the University of New Mexico. After one year, she transferred to Cal State Fullerton. Among her many awards and accolades, she was named the 2006 Player of the Year. She also played five years with Team Canada.

In 2017, Ashley opened Softball KC in North Kansas City, Missouri. Ashley's vision was to provide a place just for young women, something she felt was missing on the softball scene. Softball KC was built to be a "one stop shop" for young women softball players. It is run by women for women.

Ashley's coaching philosophy is to be "demanding, but not demeaning." On the Softball KC website it states, "Hustle, train hard, and give us your all, week after week, and I guarantee your game will improve." It also states, "Hustle. Compete. Win." Those aren't just cool catchphrases.

It's clear Softball KC can bring out the best in players of all levels, if they are serious and give effort. It's also clear Ashley wants to make every player better. Her commitment to the players was easy to see. Her mindset can be traced back to her youth, growing up with a father who starred in the National Hockey League.

John VanBoxmeer played 11 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Rockies, Buffalo Sabres and Quebec Nordiques, winning a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1976. Papa John instilled in Ashley the drive to excel, a trait she took to heart as a player, coach and business owner.

In our interview, I related my story of meeting the elder VanBoxmeer, while I was covering the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Taking my seat in the Rockford press box, I found myself sitting next to John, who was scouting at the time. The young hockey fan came out in me as I realized who he was, but I remained calm and enjoyed talking hockey with him throughout the game. I did muster the courage to ask for a photo before we left. I couldn't pass that opportunity. It remains one of my biggest highlights during my time "On the Beat" with the IceHogs.

I talked to Ashley about all of this in our interview. Ashley discussed coming back from injuries, her coaching style, her father, her career highlights and much more. Ever humble, when talking about Team Canada then and now, Ashley mentioned great players like Danielle Lawrie and Hayward, but Ashley is right there with them. Ashley is more interested in her students than her many accolades.

When discussing Athletes Unlimited, Ashley's thoughts went right to growing the game. AU provides opportunities to softball players. She is all about growing the game and paying it forward with the youth of today.

I had a great time talking softball with Ashley. Of course she wants to be a successful business owner, but it seems it's equally (if not more important) for her to grow the game. Ashley is proving you can do both successfully!

I thank Ashley for her time and consideration. I encourage all to go to SoftballKC.com for more info on Ashley's training facility.

Friend Encounters: Gianna Belcastro and Joey Roth at Wizard World 2021

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

Today I am featuring an especially interesting Friend Encounter. My bud Joey Roth, a celebrity in his own right, met podcaster on the rise Gianna Belcastro at Wizard World Chicago 2021. Joey was a celebrity before Gianna was even born.

Still a teenager, Gianna started the Women's Sports Matter podcast during the pandemic. Despite it being a new venture, Gianna was able to land some big name guests in the world of women's sports. She also held a live podcast at Wizard World. Joey and I were very impressed with how young Gianna handled the podcast, seamlessly going from topic to topic during the course of her 45 minutes on stage. There are many veterans who couldn't pull off a 45 minute live podcast in fromt of a large audience like at Wizard World.

After her session, Joey interviewed Gianna abou her start, her goals and much more. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Gianna Belcastro at Wizard World 2021.

Gianna has a bright future and I look forward to following her as her career develops. If she is anywhere near as successful as Joey, she'll be doing great.

Joey is a master, versatile entertainer. He has been on television and in movies. He has hosted events. He is a manager on the Chicago independent wrestling scene. There are probably more entertainment ventures I am forgetting at the moment, but if it's Chicago entertainment, chances are Joey is or has been involved in in.

For more info on Gianna, check out Women's Sports Matter on Facebook. Also, check all social media for more on Joey. Look for Joey and me interviewing other interesting folks at comic cons and other events.

Gianna Belcastro and Joey Roth in Rosemont, IL-October 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #578 Mojo Rawley & Apollo Crews

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

Born in Virginia, Dean Muhtadi is probably best known for his time as Mojo Rawley in the WWE, where he was a seven-time 24/7 champ. He was a star football player at the University of Maryland and has done acting. 

Like Rawley, Sesugh Uhaa is probably better known by his wrestling name Apollo Crews. He won the WWE Intercontinental title and the United States title once each. 

They were both spotted courtside at a Sacramento Kings game, where they both earned Celebrity Jersey Cards. No King has worn the #64, but I am assuming it is Rayley's college number. The #20 worn by Crews has been worn by many Kings, although none exceptionally great. Currently, #20 is Jahmi'us Ramsey.

Cards That Never Were: Larry Carriere Topps 1980-81

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 other great creations can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards).

Defenseman Larry Carriere was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 25th pick in the 1972 NHL draft. Carriere made his NHL debut in the 1972-'73 season. After two seasons, he was traded to the Atlanta Flames. After a season and a half with Atlanta, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Early in his second season with the Canucks, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, who released him shortly after acquiring him. He signed back with Buffalo for a few games, but his career seemed over the '77-'78 season. Carriere would come back briefly, appearing in two games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the '79-'80 season. For his career, Carriere appeared in 366 games, scoring 16 goals with 74 assists.

Topps/OPC gave Carriere cards in every set from '72-'73 through '78-'79. (An odd side note is the first card was a sort of pre-rookie card, as Carriere had not yet made his NHL debut.) That left a career capper for his two games with the Maple Leafs. While searching for a good picture, I stumbled upon The Compleat Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Card Compendium. This site is amazing. It has everything you would ever want to see about the Leafs, including a virtual Leafs card for Carriere.

Knowing I could not improve on his mastery, I did not try to make my version. I am just showcasing his crafty work.

Billie Starkz and 2econd Wrestling

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending my first event at 2econd Wrestling. My buddy Tony and I planned on going, but then I was fortunate enough to win two tickets from a contest on 2econd Wrestling's Facebook page.

We met there early as usual, but the folks at 2econd Wrestling were already setup ready to go once the official time started. This was a good sign, as wrestling shows are notoriously late. The staff was extremely nice, which was another bonus.

Prior to the show, I ran into Mike Pankow, long time friend and creator of Windy City Slam, a fantastic wrestling site. As we caught up, other familiar faces appeared. It was great seeing BD Smooth and Merle Ramsey, who I knew well from their time as the Slobberknockers at Resistance Pro. Then I saw Val Capone, former roller derby star, who is now killing it as a wrestling commentator. Next I saw Matt Knicks, another friend from our days at RPro. I don't see these folks often, but it is always wonderful when we can catch up.

As time passed, a few wrestlers trickled out to tables for meet-and-greets. We immediately went to Blair Onyx, who had a remote control spider with her, a nod to her unique gimmick. I had recently seen Onyx wrestle for the first time and I immediately loved her gimmick and move set.

By then. the show was about to start. We settled in our seats and I realized the crowd was actually pretty large by now. There were lots of kids, which made for a fun, rowdy atmosphere.

The matches were:

2econd Wrestling Championship Semifinals

Arik Cannon defeated “Mile High Magnum” Dak Draper,

2econd Wrestling Championship Semifinals

Billie Starkz defeated Rylie Jackson

Darin Corbin beat Cold Stone Tim Boston

Triple Threat Match

Atomic Super Thunderfrog beat Kidd Bandit and Dream Boy 001

Blair Onyx defeated Laynie Luck

Zach Gowen and Marvelous Matt Knicks beat Pick N’ Pop (“One Man Dynasty” Darius Latrell and Koda Hernandez)

2econd Wrestling Championship Match

Billie Starkz defeated Arik Cannon 

I admit, Starkz winning both matches totally surprised me. The best part was her wins weren't shock value wins. She earned them. While I am interested to see where she goes from here, I was really pleased with how this night played out.

Starkz is a real talent. Her wins were totally believable. She is a credible champ. It was a bit of a risky move having a woman win the first title, but Starkz makes it work.

After the show, we met several of the other wrestlers, including Starkz. Tony and I both complimented Starkz on her matches and overall skill set.

Among the other wrestlers, I talked a bit to Darius Latrell, who I had remembered from his time as a basketball player at UIC. This guy is huge and has a bright future. He's early in his career, but the potential is there.

I will definitely return to 2econd Wrestling for future shows. It was a great experience. The show was punctual and ran smooth. Everyone there was pleasant. The wrestlers (even the heels) were fan-friendly. I loved the Sunday afternoon time slot. There were really no negatives.

Go to WindyCitySlam.com for Mike Pankow's full report on 2econd Wrestling Flood Zone. Look for 2econd Wrestling on Facebook for info and upcoming events.

Billie Starkz and me in Northbrook, IL-March 2022.

Ryan Barkan and Pro Wrestling Tees

Ryan Barkan is the Founder and CEO at Pro Wrestling Tees and One Hour Tees. He is the man responsible for all of the Johngy's Beat shorts.

I have been getting my shirts printed at One Hour Tees for many years. Back when I first went there, Ashley Caliendo helped with fonts and general design after I showed her the Johngy logo. After that, they printed my shirts for years.

In 2013, Barkan launched Pro Wrestling Tees, a shop for wrestlers' shirts. Last year, I finally decided to apply for a store within PWT and was approved. I currently have 4 shirts available at PWT.

At C2E2 2021, I ran into Ryan (not surprisingly) around the All Elite Wrestling booth. I thanked him for allowing me to set up shop within pWT. I also said how cool it was for my shorts to be in the same store as CM Punk, Arn Anderson, Ruby Soho and the other wrstlers appearing at C2E2.

I currently have four tshirts available for purchase at PWT. The Black Edition is permanent. The others rotate on occasion. The Cantarella Ink version (designed by Ali Cantaeella of Cantarella Ink) is the first new version of the logo since I started.

To order any shirt, go to ProWrestlingTees.com. Also, be on the lookout for occasional sales.

Ryan Barkan and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

On the Beat With Loyola Women's Basketball

Loyola's Janae Gonzales, Bre Hampton-Bey, Allison Day and Riley Blackwell went out smiling today, as they celebrated their last home game by beating Misouri State 60-42. The game was never really in doubt, as the Ramblers cruised to their 18th win.

Missouri State was held to a paltry 23.9 percent (16-67) shooting from the field. For much of the game, they were below 20 percent. 

Day led the way with 16 points and nine boards, just missing a double-double. Maya Chandler had 15 and Blackwell added 13. Sam Galanopoulos only had two points, but six rebounds and seven assists in a well-rounded effort.

In the post game presser, the departing Ramblers all expressed the bittersweet feeling of winning on Senior Day, yet playing their last home game. Coach Kate Achter stated the team would stick to basics for the most part in the MVC tourney, but she had a few new wrinkles she might bring out. That press session is at On the Beat With Loyola WBB.

Loyola earned an opening-round bye in the MVC Championship.  The fifth-seeded Ramblers face Illinois State, the tournament's No. 4 seed, in a quarterfinal-round game at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Illinois.

For more info, go to LoyolaRamblers.com. Check back here and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage.

On the Beat With Bella Bocanegra

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Bella Bocanegra, a talented, young wrestler. Bella is doing great things in amateur wrestling and we discussed all of it. Our interview is at On the Beat With Bella Bocanegra.

Bella's accomplishments are already numerous. Among her many achievements, she is a two-time Arizona state girls wrestling champ, a six-time All-American, the 2021 Flowing Wells Champ and the 2021 Ironwood Invitational Champ. She is also on a 58 match winning streak, as well as carrying a 3.3 GPA. This is one busy and dedicated young lady.

Bella talked about her start in wrestling, her preparation, her mindset, the 58 match win streak and more. I even asked her about a possible career in professional wrestling, but Bella seems more interested in a future in coaching. Of course, as I said in our interview, wrestling legend Kurt Angle said that when he was about her age.

After the interview I told Bella's father Rick how impressed I was with Bella. Her wrestling resume speaks volumes, but more significant is her level of maturity and composure. Relaxed and confident, Bella spoke like a seasoned veteran. I've interviewed people much older and more experienced who weren't nearly as conversational as Bella.

Bella stated she is stubborn, which is a great quality in any sport, but perhaps more so in wrestling. She entered a sport usually associated with males and experienced some early losing efforts, but she never gave up. Even prior to her 58 match win streak, Bella had a few tough losses. Losing only made her more stubborn.

With college still ahead, Bella has plenty of wrestling left in her. After college, Bella sees coaching in her future. Even at such a young age, Bella is already thinking of ways to give back and to grow the sport.

I appreciate Bella's time for this interview. I wish her continued success. I'll be watching her and updating her career here.

 

Friend Encounters: Tessa Blanchard, David McLane and Michael Kingston

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

Today is really a 3fer feature. At the San Diego Comic Con a couple years ago, author Michael Kingston had a booth promoting Headlocked Comic. As is usual with Michael at such events, he attracted several big hitters in the wrestling industry. Third generation wrestling star Tessa Blanchard. (then) WOW champ, and WOW promoter/GLOW creator David McLane stopped at Michael's booth.

Michael's Headlocked Comic would seem to be a perfect match for the WOW Superheros. I'd love to see what Michael could do with such possibilities.

I have followed Michael's work for many years. I have enjoyed his growing success. Michael had a vision of making a realistic wrestling comic and he made that dream happen. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy either. Michael is a great guy and a hard worker. He has earned every bit of respect he has gotten from wrestlers and fans.

WOW was founded in 2000 by McLane, who co-owns it with Jeanie Buss. s the name indicates, it is a wrestling company focused entirely on women. The syndicated series has aired on a few networks over the years.

Blanchard held the WOW championship for 217 days, after beating Jungle Grrrl for the vacated title. She was eventually defeated by The Beast.

Seeing Blanchard holding the WOW title, I started thinking Michael needs to have a Headlocked title belt. I'm sure he thought of it already. If he doesn't have one, he probably has a solid reason for it. Still, I'm hoping one day he makes a belt and I will want a picture with it!

For more info on Michael and his work, check HeadlockedComic.con. Go to WOWE.com for info and news on Women of Wrestling.

Michael Kingston, Tessa Blanchard and David McLane in San Diego, CA-July 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #577 Mickie James & Jeff Jarrett

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today, I am featuring two huge wrestling stars appearing at Squared Circle Expo II in Indianapolis April 15-16. I can't wait to be there, but until then, I will settle for these new creations.

Mickie James has done it all in wrestling. She's a multi-time champ in the WWE and Impact Wrestling. Currently wrestling in the NWA, James recently made an appearance at WWE's Royal Rumble. She is also an accomplished singer. James threw out a first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card. I have met James a couple times years ago and I really look forward to seeing her again at SCX II.

Second generation wrestler Jeff Jarrett is another veteran who has done it all in wrestling. He formed Total Nonstop Action Wrestling with his father. Out of Impact Wrestling, Jarrett returned to the WWE for several appearances. Jarrett's Celebrity Jersey Card features Gnash, the mascot of the Nashville Predators. Somehow despite meeting hundreds of wrestlers, I have never met Double J and I am really excited to meet this legend.

Cards That Never Were: Ron Widby Topps 1968-69

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.

While I usually only feature cards I have created, today's "missing" card comes courtesy of Lynn of the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook Group. This group has thousands of virtual trading cards created by eager and talented collectors. Lynn is probably the most prolific creator in the group.

Lynn started creating Topps 1968-69 test cards. When I saw this series, I was excited because I finally would be able to create a card for Ron Widby, a former ABA player. Lynn saved me the effort and made an awesome card for Widby.

Widby was a star at the University of Tennessee. In his senior season, he led the nation in punting, while also averaging 22.1 points per game on the basketball court. He was drafted by the NFL's New Orleans Saints, the NBA's Chicago Bulls and the ABA's New Orleans Buccaneers.

He would go on to play six seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. Topps gave Widby cards in 1973 and '74, but omitted him in 1969-'72. I will address those in the future.

Widby also played one season with the Buccaneers. In that 1967-68 season, he appeared in 20 games and averaged 2.9 points per game. Topps was not making baketball cards then, but they did have a test set. This test set was the perfect place for a Widby card and Lynn beautifully created one. ABA pictures back then are very rare and this was the only Widby picture I have ever seen. Thank you Lynn!

Check out Custom Baseball Cards on Facebook for all sorts of great custom card creations. If there is a card you want created, if it is not there already, I am sure someone will make it for you upon request.

Tay Conti and More Added to Squared Circle Expo

It seems like every time I get set to write an update about the Squared Circle Expo II, they add more people. I can hardly keep up with the fine folks at the SCX II. Fresh off their big announcement adding All Elite Wrestling's Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., SCX II announced Anna Jay, Tay Conti and The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky). Just when you think it can't get better, the fine folks at SCX make it better!

Debuting in 2019, Jay joined All Elite Wrestling in 2020. She hasn't won a title yet in AEW, but she has been in the chase for several, including the Women's World Championship and the TBS Championship. She ranked No. 146 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2021.

Brazilian pro wrestler Tay Conti debuted in 2017 at WWE WrestleMania Axxess. In 202, Conti joined AEW. Like Jay, Conti has yet to win a title in AEW, but is involved in the chase. She ranked No. 49 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2021. She was also names Most Improved Wrestler in 2021 by Inside the Ropes.

Love debuted in 2000, while Sky started in 2003. The duo came together in 2007 in Total NonStop Action Wrestling and have been racking up titles, awards and fans ever since. Love was last seen wrestling in Ring of Honor. Sky is retired from in-ring action, but is doing commentary for the NWA.

Debuting in 2019, Jay joined All Elite Wrestling in 2020. She hasn't won a title yet in AEW, but she has been in the chase for several, including the Women's World Championship and the TBS Championship. She ranked No. 146 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 150 in 2021.

I have met all four and they were all fantastic. I had the pleasure of interviewing Sky for a different outlet and she was so much fun. Despite meeting them already, I will definitely be meeting them again.

These women join a lengthy, star-studded list of wrestlers already announced for SCX II. That list includes Britt Baker, Ruby Soho, Adam Cole, 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 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, 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.

Tickets are still available at SquaredCircleX.com. I will be "On the Beat" there all weekend, but until then, check back here for updates and info.

Tay Conti and me in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Andrew McCarthy Talks Travel

The Travel & Adventure Show series made Chicago its first stop of the year. In its 17th year, with more than 100 previous events, it filled the exhibit hall with travel brands and celebrities, including actor and travel writer Andrew McCarthy.

Perhaps better known for his 40 years of acting and directing, McCarthy has an impressive writing résumé, too. He was an editor-at-large for 12 years with National Geographic Traveler magazine. He has written travel pieces for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and several other publications.

Saturday morning’s session with McCarthy started with him explaining how walking the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain changed his view of the world. He began writing little stories about his experiences. After about 10 years, he wrote his first piece for National Geographic Traveler. From there, his passion grew and his writing increased.

For McCarthy, travel is a necessity, not a frivolous thing. He differentiates travel from vacations. Travel should take us out of our comfort zone, while vacations are all about being comfortable.

McCarthy travels to conquer fear. He feels vulnerable as he offers himself to different destinations and people. He sums up his theory as, “Traveling is an act of faith and optimism. Travel obliterates fear.”

In a particularly poignant moment for me, McCarthy played a video of himself walking 42nd Street in New York City. This wasn’t a walk to a particular destination. It was a walk of discovery of the people, places and activities along the route. Just a few months ago, I did that same walk. For me, it was one path from my hotel to the Javits Convention Center. I took different routes each of my four days to do exactly what he did. I used those walks to explore New York. I wanted to experience New York City, and I did just that with each walk.

McCarthy also discussed the benefits of traveling alone. Solo trips force travelers to face and conquer fears. You are more likely to need and ask for help when alone than with others. In groups, even of two, people tend to figure out things on their own. Both type of travels have upsides, and a mix of both is optimal.

His passion was palpable. Immediately when I got home, I ordered The Longest Way Home, his first book. It’s a memoir of self-discovery played out while traveling to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Costa Rica and other fascinating locations. Needing to understand his relationship with his fiancée, McCarthy hit the road for self-discovery.

Andrew McCarthy and me in Rosemont, IL-February 2022.

On the Beat With Jessica Bracamonte

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Bracamonte, Assistant Softball Coach at Duke University. One of the first Chicago Bandits I ever interviewed, Jessica has carved out a solid coaching career which I have followed and I am happy to get an update interview.

A native of California, Jessica was a star outfielder at Michigan State University. A couple injuries derailed her attempts to play professionally, but Jessica overcame the setbacks to eventually join the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. Her journey to the Bandits is a great story and Jessica shares it in the interview.

Jessica started her coaching career as a student assistant at MSU. After a couple other coaching stints, Jessica was officially named an assistant at Duke in July 2019. Coach Jessica focuses on the outfield, slappers and assisting with overall offensive strategies.

Coach Jessica talked about all of this, including giving me a quick scouting report on the Blue Devils. It truly was fun for me to catch up with her, but more importantly, to see her happy and succeeding. I'm sure Bandit Nation would agree she is and will always be part of Bandit Nation.

The Blue Devils are off to a hot 13-3 start. They are coming off a 4-1 weekend in the Duke Invitational Tournament, including a split of two games with No. 19 Michigan. They are hitting .360 with 32 home runs, while holding opponents to a .203 average with three homers. Their pitching staff has a 2.00 ERA, while opponents have a 7.79 ERA. Those are impressive numbers.

Duke returns to action Friday for a three game series at Georgia Tech. They return home Tuesday, March 8 to host Penn State.

I thank Coach Jessica for her time and consideration during the busy season. I wish her and Duke a lot of luck. We'll be following the Blue Devils and will check back with Coach Jessica later in the season.

Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Jessica Bracamonte. Go to GoDuke.com for more info on Coach Jessica and the Duke softball squad.

Rachael Ellering Dropkicks Depression

Rachael Ellering is a second generation wrestling star. Her father Paul was known mostly as a manager of the legendary Road Warriors, but also wrestled 

Trained at the Storm Wrestling Academy, Rachael made her debut in 2015. Since then, she wrestled for Shine, Impact Wrestling, the WWE and other smaller companies, including Resistance Pro Wrestling.

At RPro, when Crazy Mary Dobson left for the WWE (as Sarah Logan), there was a tournament to crown a new women's champion. Ellering won the tourney and therefore the RPro Women's Championship on November 5, 2016. Almost a year later, on September 23, Ellering lost the belt to Holidead in a four-way match that also included Fujita and Kylie Rae.

A feud between Ellering and Holidead should have been a great one, but it never happened. At the time, RPro was only running sporadic shows, which caused much turnover in the roster. 

As an RPro commentator, I got to see Ellering up close during her short time at RPro. Although she was young and somewhat inexperienced, Ellering was advanced beyond her years. She was already solid in the ring and the fans loved her. She would have been a great successor to Crazy Mary.

Tonight, Rachael is hosting Clear the Air, a Virtual Health Seminar for Pro Wrestling. Dropkick Depression is planning on running similar virtual seminars every couple months.

Suicides, depression  and mental issues in general have plagued pro wrestling or many years. Dropkick Depression is an online depression forum and information center created by pro wrestler Terra Calaway. It's a fantastic organization and GWSR fully supports it.

For more info, go to DropkickDepression.com. Also, go to RachaelEllering.BigCartel.com for cool products from Ellering.

Rachael Ellering and me in Summit, IL-November 2016.