Dan Dougherty at Wizard World St. Louis 2017

Wizard World was purchased by Fan Expo, but the comic con will live on. Actually, especially after the last two pandemic years, I think Fan Expo will come out strong this year. Either way, I'll be "On the Beat" at Fan Expo Chicago July 7-10 meeting celebrities and creators.

Dan Dougherty is an illustrator and writer of comics and children's books. He has produced more than 100 works in his career. In 2020, he branched out into the music field, releasing Bad Ideas, his first solo album. A second album is planned.

I started following Dan as a fan of his other work. One book he produced with fellow creator DJ Corchin, Do You Speak Fish?, made my Great Reads 2021 article on Global Traveler. A children's book, it made my list as a great book for adults to read to children. It has important lessons and cool art work.

When I learned of his foray into music, I went to his site to listen. The three tracks there were excellent. They reminded me a bit of the BoDeans. I definitely am looking forward to un Times Ahead, his planned second album.

I have a special interest in Dan's work because of his focus on children. Much of the work in Artist Alley is aimed at collectors of all sorts. Very little is actually aimed at children. That takes guts and heart. His work is aimed at teaching children without lecturing to them. It's great stuff for children and adults with children.

Go to BeardoComics.com for more info on Dan. For more info on Fan Expo, go to FanExpoHQ.com.

Dan Dougherty and me in St. Louis, MO-April 2017.

Dana DeLorenzo at Flashback Weekend 2018

Flashback Weekend returns August 5-7. This year it will be a special 20th anniversary event and I can't wait.

Flashback Weekend isn't as big as some other conventions, but it is one of the best. It always has excellent guests, such as Dana DeLorenzo, one of my all-time favorites.

I have been a fan of Dana for a long time. Dana has a strong Chicago connection. She was in Tony n' Tina's Wedding and also worked as a producer and portrayed Marissa Sanchez on  Mancow's Morning Madhouse. She gained a lot of exposure on the Starz horror-comedy series Ash vs Evil Dead.

I had met Dana a year or so before I saw her again at Flashback Weekend in 2018. I was stunned when she asked about our last meeting. That led to a lot of quick chats all weekend at Flashback every time our paths crossed.

Early Sunday morning when things were pretty quiet, Dana called me over and asked if I wanted to have a little fun in a picture. Of course, I am always up for that, especially with Dana. She grabbed a tie and wrapped it around my neck, and proceeded to "choke" me. It was fun and Dana got a big kick out of it. After posing for hundreds of the same pictures, I think she wanted to do something different.

Dana is simply cool. I will see her every chance I get at conventions, because she is so much fun. She makes it a special experience every time.

I did inform Dana that we had something in common. We are both DePaul alums, although she was born shortly before I entered DePaul. Still, if she ever needs a date for an alumni function, I am putting my name out there. I would escort Dana anywhere!

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for all of the info on this event. Also, check Flashback Weekend on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Dana DeLorenzo and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

On the Beat With Jim Blaze of POWW Entertainment

On Saturday night, my bud Tony Feddeler and I took in a night of wrestling at POWW Entertainment. After the show, I interviewed Jim Blaze, owner, promoter and wrestler at POWW and a long time pal. That interview is at On the Beat With Jim Blaze.

Saturday night, my pal Tony Feddeler and I took in a night of wrestling action at POWW Entertainment at TWood in Wooddale. This was my first time at “Saturday Night Fights,” but it won't be my last.

“Saturday Night Fights” is a unique concept, allowing POWW's youth or newcomers a chance to get experience and be showcased. Besides seeing some future POWW superstars, it gives fans the opportunity to see unique matchups, while still continuing POWW storylines.

Tony and I arrived early and enjoyed an excellent meal at TWood. I opted for chicken quesadillas and a basket of fries. Both were delicious and much more food than I expected.

Once the doors opened, we found seats and started to mingle and catch up with old friends. First I saw legendary ring announcer Mr. Ricolo. Next was POWW photog Mike Bare and on and on it went until bell time. It was a mini-reunion.

It was a solid night of wrestling, featuring a nice blend of POWW veterans and youngsters. I was impressed by all, but especially Kyzyle, who I hadn't previously seen in action. He's got a good gimmick, skills and ability to engage fans.

Jim talked about his 32nd anniversary coming July 3. He brought up the possibility of his in-ring career ending, but I hope that isn't anytime soon. He also mentioned Wrestle Rage, POWW's biggest show fo the year. This year, POWW will celebrate Wrestle Rage 20 on November 5 at a location to be announced soon.

It was great to be back at POWW. Jim looks even more passionate than when I first met him more than a decade ago. The crowd was hot all night, too.

As much fun a the in-ring action was, I really enjoyed catching up with everyone and meeting some new folks, too. Some folks I only see at wrestling events. Other friends, like Tony, I only met because fo wrestling, but our friendship now goes beyond the squared circle.

POWW is special. Even during the pandemic, when other companies shut down, POWW stayed alive any way they could. They took shows out of the are to new locations. POWW is the longest-running Chicago area wrestling company. Credit goes to Jim and the culture he creates.

POWW returns to TWood July 16 for another “Saturday Night Fights” event. They will also be at the American Legion in Fox Lake August 6 and at Lakemoor Fest August 12.

Friend Encounters: Dara Mabrey and Mikaela Dokes

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

Today I feature one of the youngest friends, basketball star in the making, Mikaela Dokes. How this young Michigan prodigy came to love Notre Dame is a bit of a mystery, but Mikaela and her dad Walter talk about it at On the Beat With Mikaela Dokes.

However she got there, Mikaela is a fan of the  Fighting Irish. Last November, her dad treated her to a Notre Dame women's basketball game. From the posts on social media, Mikaela appeared to be in heaven watching her team and meeting some of the players. (I think pop Walter was pretty happy, too!)

One of the players was Dara Mabrey, a senior guard and the sister of WNBA player Marina Mabrey. (Regular readers know how I am fascinated by familial connections in sports.) Dara is the third Mabrey to play on the women's basketball team at ND, following Michaela and Marina. Michaela is an Assistant Coach at ND.

Some day, when Mikaela is lighting it up at ND and beyond, Dara might look back at this and recall meeting the budding sup[erstar. That's one of the reasons I wanted to interview Mikaela. I can now follow her career almost from the beginning.

The other reason, the more important reason really, is to give Mikaela extra exposure. I encourage all to follow the Mikaela Dokes Athlete Facebook page.  When she's a big basketball star, remember you saw her here first.

Mikaela Dokes and Dara Mabrey in South Bend, IN-November 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #593 Jewell Loyd & Kelsey Plum

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, we look at the WNBA.

Jewell Loyd grew up in Lincolnwood, IL, near my now. She starred at Notre Dame, before being the first selection overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2015 WNBA Draft. She went on to earn Rookie of the Year honors and is carving out an excellent career. She switched to a Mariners jersey to toss a first pitch and earn a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Also a first overall draft pick, native Californian Kelsey Plum starred at Washington before being selected by the San Antonio Stars (now Las Vegas Aces) in the 2017 WNBA Draft. Previously mainly a starter, Plum came off the bench in 2021 to earn Sixth Woman of the Year honors. Plum tossed a pitch for the Mariners and got a Celebrity Jersey Card for her efforts.

On the Beat With Kate Polucha of DePaul Softball

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kate Polucha, who recently finished a stellar career as a softball player for DePaul. Like her longtime friend and teammate Maranda Gutierrez, who I interviewed last week, Kate leaves DePaul with a long list of accomplishments and honors. Our interview is at On the Beat With Kate Polucha of DePaul Softball.

The California native came to DePaul after a highly successful high school career. In the interview, Kate talks about her decision to leave sunny California to play at DePaul. The change in climate didn't slow down Kate, as she earned BIG EAST Player of the Year honors her first season. She started all 52 games and hit .362, leading the team in hits with 63.

Kate discussed the challenges of following that successful first season. She was open about what the award meant to her and seeing some of her stats dip a little in her second season. Again starting all 52 games, she hit .295 with 31 runs and 38 RBI.

In her next three seasons, the extra one due to the Covid exemption, Kate continued to be among the team leaders in most offensive categories. She finished strong, hitting .333 in her final season, despite playing most of it with a torn ACL. In an incredibly gutsy manner and with a lot of work, Kate only missed 10 games despite the injury happening early in the season.

In our interview, Kate candidly discussed all of this, including the bittersweet feelings of her last game. Kate gave great insight into the emotions of a dedicated player throughout her career. We finished with a couple lighter questions about a defensive gem versus a home run and her pizza style preference.

I finished by thanking Kate for a lot of great play over her five seasons. She was a class act on and off the field. I sincerely appreciate what Kate meant to DePaul.

Coincidentally, yesterday was the 50th anniversary of Title IX. While it created opportunities for women in sports, we still have a way to go in terms of exposure and appreciation.

In doing these interviews, I hope to shine the spotlight on great players and people like Kate. I want others to learn about them. Just as important, I want Kate and other players to know what they do is appreciated. I have enjoyed countless games at Cacciatore Stadium and I applaud every athlete who stepped on the field.

I thank Kate for her time and consideration in this interview. I wish her well as she continues her education at DePaul and I look forward to seeing her in the stands at Cacciatore Stadium next season.

Go to DePaulBlueDemons.com for more info on DePaul sports. Check back here for my recurring coverage of DePaul and NCAA sports.

Roxi Heart and Cosplaying at C2E2

C2E2 returns August 5-7 at McCormick Place. By now, I am sure cosplayers are well on their way to putting together their costume (or costumes) for this year.

Cosplay has become a major part of comic cons. Back when I first started going to cons, there were a bunch of attendees dressed up as their favorite characters, but now there are many. They even have Cosplay Central, their own section at C2E2.

Cosplay can take many forms from simple to very intricate, from recognizable to obscure. It is all up to the individual. There really is no defined rules, although I am against costumes that are mpractical at such events (too big and bulky, fragile, etc).

One person who loves cosplaying and is awesome at it is Roxi Heart (aka Mrs. Joey Roth). Roxi is so good, I didn't even recognize her last year. In fact, I didn't even realize it was her after she greeted me, repeatedly. It took a bit of my mind reeling to finally realize it was Roxi.

On one hand, I felt goofy for not recognizing my friend. On the other hand, it does speak to how good her costume is. I guess that s the compliment. Either way, Roxi is the best and took it with humor.

I am sure Roxi will again be in costume for each day of C2E2 this August. I will definitely be on alert when any cosplayers approach me.

For more info on C2E2 2022, go to C2E2.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Roxi Heart and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

Chris Ehnot at Wizard World Chicago 2017

The much-anticipated Fan Expo runs in Chicago July 7-10. It's a big event, as it is the first Chicago event since Fan Boy acquired Wizard World. Fan Expo has had several other events and the reviews have been great.

One of the staples of Wizard World was Chris Ehnot, a graphic designer and illustrator. He has done many covers and other work. He is super-talented and one of the most popular and busiest folks in Artist Alley at any convention.

Chris is another creator whose booths always amaze me. It's juts one beautiful creation after another. I can get lost in the art. I sometimes have to step back, so others can actually do business with CVhris at his booth.

In lieu of an Aquaman, I probably pick hs Supergirl as my favorite of his works. Of course, he has so many more, including a lot of newer characters. I'm old school though.

Chris sells commissions through his website. He has various options and they are all written clearly. Some of them include donations to The Hero Initiative, an organization created to help comic creators in emergency need. I applaud Chris for his efforts for The Hero Initiative and I support the cause as well.

Check out ChrisEhnot.com for more info on Chris and his artwork. Also, check FanExpoHQ.com for info and schedules on all of their events.

Chris Ehnot and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

On the Beat With Carly Alvers

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Carly Alvers, who recently finished her first season playing softball for DePaul University. As she heads into her second season for DePaul, Carly talked about everything from her path to DePaul to the upcoming Fall Ball games. That interview is at On the Beat With Carly Alvers.

A native of Mokena, Carly starred at Lincoln Way Central. A four-year letter winner at LWC, Carly's honors include:

• Three-time All-Conference honoree
• Three-time First Team All-Area
• First Team All-State (Senior), Second Team All-State (Freshman and Sophomore)
• Finalist for Illinois High School Player of the Year by USA Today Sports

With Carly as a key player, LWC went 88-10 during her time. Carly also earned a place on the Honor Roll each year.

In her first season, Carly played in 26 games, starting 18. She hit .293, with 2 HRs, 15 RBIs and 17 runs scored. DePaul went 29-24, but 16-8 in BIG EAST Conference play. They finished in fourth place in the BIG EAST, only a half game behind Villanova for third and one game behind Butler in second.

We started by discussing Carly's start in softball. I was surprised to learn college recruitment started way back in seventh grade for Carly. She talked about the recruitment rules changing, but eventually committing to DePaul.

Carly discussed her DePaul debut, playing at Cacciatore Stadium, the DePaul coaches, her big game, campus life and more. I put her on the spot by asking her to choose a defensive gem or a home run. She even was a good sport in indulging my important question of thin crust, deep dish or stuffed pizza.

Coming off an excellent first season, Carly is poised for an outstanding career at DePaul. I am sure she will have a lot of success and enjoyment along the way. I'll be at beautiful Cacciatore Stadium covering Carly and the team.

I very much appreciate Carly for her time and consideration. I wish her a lot of luck and look forward to seeing her and the Blue Demons in action for Fall Ball.

For more info on DePaul sports, go to DePaulBlueDemons.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage of DePaul.

On the Beat With Chad Savage

Flashback Weekend is seven weeks away. That's 49 days until Chicago's largest and longest running Horror Convention returns. Flashback Weekend runs August 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. Operated masterfully and passionately by Mike and Mia Kerz, Flashback Weekend debuted in 2002 and has grown into a Chicago and horror institution. 

Last week, I started my coverage of Flashback Weekend with an interview with James Azrael, one of the exhibitors at Flashback and a friend of mine. Today, I continue looking forward to Flashback Weekend with an interview with Chad Savage, creator, friend, exhibitor and Art Director at Flashback Weekend. That interview is at On the Beat With Chad Savage.

As I state to start the interview, Chad is one busy man. We start the intervuiew at Chad's start in the industry. From Sinister Visions to Zombie Army Productions and everything in between, Chad tells his story. He also talks about his role at Flashback Weekend, what you will find at his booth, some of his favorite moments there and much more.

One of his stories involves Chicago icon Svengoolie Rich Koz, who was just announced as a returning guest. Sven is always one of the most popular celebrities at Flashback.

Also appearing is horror legend Robert Englund. It doesn't get any bigger than Robert Englund. A legit icon, Englund alone would be reason enough to attend Flashback Weekend, but there is much more.

Also appearing are Alex Winter (The Lost Boys), Steve Miner (Friday the 13th: Part 2), Robert Carradine and Don Gibb (Revenge of the Nerds), P.J. Soles and John Michael Graham (Halloween), Airon Armstrong (Halloween Kills), Heather Langenkamp, Lisa Wilcox, Brooke Theiss, Toy Newkirk, Ken Sagoes, and Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart (Night of the Comet), Quinn Lord (Trick 'r Treat), Kane Hodder (aka Jason), Jeff Daniel Phillips (The Munsters), Melinda Clarke (Return of the Living Dead) and Tom Devlin (special effects master). That is an amazing lineup.

There will also be many vendors and exhibitors like Chad. All have cool creations. Tother fun events include panels, Q&A's, costume contests and much more. It is a weekend chock full of horror fun!

I love Flashback Weekend. I will be "On the Beat" as usual and can't wait. Until then, I will continue to provide more looks at special guests of Flashback Weekend, as well as updates on the guest list and events. Stay tuned here and I hope to see you there.

Go to SV23.com for more info on Chad and his work. Also, go to FlashbackWeekend.com for info and scheduling.

Chad Savage and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Friend Encounters: Orange Cassidy and Dirk Manning

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

Today is another example of a friend who is a celebrity meting another celebrity. The fiend is Dirk Manning, a talented creators. The celebrity is Orange Cssidy, a popular wrestler with All Elite Wrestling. I argue Dirk Manning is a celebrity, too, although he would eschew that notion. If he isn't a celeb, he is well on his way.

I have known Dirk for about 10 years. I have interviewed him many times about his career, wrestling and ice cream. I was well aware he knew a lot about wrestling, but I was pleasantly surprised when he announced he would be involved with a graphic novel bio on wrestling broadcaster Tony Schiavone.

With Dirk behind it, I knew the product would be great, but I was blown away at how cool Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story is. Dirk is very excited and proud and rightly so. The book is 148 pages of pure, colorful entertainment. It covers Tony's life in and out of the world of pro wrestling.

Through his work on the book, Dirk has become even more immersed in wrestling, especially AEW. Many wrestlers have given their support or approval of Dirk's work. Such was the case at New York Comic Con when Dirk connected with OC. As I have written before, OC is a unique wrestler. He remains in character virtually all the time. Even for paid photo ops, OC stays in character, barely acknowledging his fans. True fans get it though. It's old school at it finest.

The picture below is about as out of character as OC gets. He at least connected with Dirk. He still looks somewhat aloof, but that's just him.

I couldn't be happier for Dirk. He deserves all the success he is having. I know there will be more fun coming his way and I am betting there will be more graphic novels, too!

NYCC returns October 6-9. I will be "On the Beat" and I hope to see my friend Dirk there again. I am sure there will be a big wrestling presence, as well as many other celebrities and creators.

Go to AllEliteWrestling.com for more info on OC and his grappling mates. Check DirkManning.com for everything about Dirk. Go to NewYorkComicCon.com for scheduling and updates on NYCC.

Orange Cassidy and Dirk Manning in New York, NY-October 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #592 Casey Coleman & Chris Rose

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring Celebrities wearing sports jerseys.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Casey Coleman was a radio personality in Cleveland for nearly three decades. Holding various roles in Cleveland Browns broadcasts over the years, the team named their indoor practice facility after him. Unfortunately, Coleman died in 2006, but his legacy lives on. He earned his Celebrity Jersey Card by throwing out a ceremonial pitch for the Indians.

Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, sportscaster Chris Rose has worked for several networks in different roles and shows over his illustrious career. Although it is unconfirmed Rose states his foot appears in the "Garfield" movie. That's cool, but not as cool as him getting a Celebrity Jersey Card for his ceremonial pitch. 

On the Beat With John Cosper

Writer-author and friend John Cosper has a few book projects on the horizon. I always love talking wrestling with John and these books provided the perfect opportunity. On Monday, I interviewed John for Global Women Sports Radio. Our interview is at On the Beat With John Cosper.

We started by talking about “The Amazing Life of Mars Bennett.” While writing “The Ballad of Cousin Elvira,” about Elvira Snodgrass, Mars Bennett caught John's eye. Although Bennett died at the young age of 35, she lived quite a life and John covers it all with more than 70 photos and many stories. This is another example of John putting the spotlight on one of the women pioneers of wrestling.

Next up was “Katie Bar the Door!: History of Portland Wrestling.” The title says it all. This is an in depth look at the Portland territory. When I hear “Portland,” I immediately think of Roddy Piper. John states there is plenty of Piper in there and so much more.

The third book we discussed was “The Darkest Side of the Ring: Stories of Charlie Kruel and Ella.” Wrestling fans and horror lovers will enjoy the fictional tales of indy wrestlers Charlie and Ella.

The final book of the quartet is the second edition of “Bluegrass Brawlers: The Story of Professional Wrestling in Louisville.” With about 50 percent more text, John fills in some time gaps, expands on other stories and includes things that happened since 2014. The new cover includes Billie Starkz, one of the brightest young wrestlers and one I recently interviewed.

In addition to these books, John also talked about Ohio Valley Wrestling and Girl Fight Wrestling. Run by Al Snow, OVW has a great women's division led by “The Amazing” Maria. Our old friend Mad Man Pondo continues to give opportunities to impressive young women wrestlers.

As always with John, we packed a lot of fun wrestling talk into the interview. I applaud John for continually thinking outside the box with wrestlers like Mars Bennett. John would eschew the praise, but he is bridging the gap between several generations of women wrestlers.

Check out John's books at EatSleepWrestle.com. I am not just promoting John here. I am filling my personal book shelf with his books.

On the Beat With Zoe Meshenberg

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing first-time author Zoe Meshenberg. A grad student, Zoe is about to release "Rabbit Holes & Pepper Spray," her debut novel.

I have known Zoe for several years, having seen her at Chicago Bandits games, but I never knew she had a novel (or novel series) in the works. As she tells in the interview, it has been a work in progress for more than 15 years.

"Rabbit Holes & Pepper Spray" is a young adult fantasy aimed at the 13-18 year old (but certainly not limited to that group). She describes it as a quirky adventure in which everyone has superpowers based on their personalities, but four characters do not realize it until they are kidnapped and the story starts to unfold. I was hooked on the title, but hearing Zoe talk about the plot intrigued me more.

Zoe discussed her path to writing it, the process, potential sequels, her future and more. Her passion and exuberance was evident and infectious.

I love delving into the stages and process of production of creators. Zoe talked about the challenges and joys involved, including mixed reviews on the title she chose, a title I love, as I wrote earlier. Zoe gave a lot of insight into the whole experience. It was interesting and enlightening.

I also love supporting a creator from the start and following their progression. It's rare I get to talk to one before the first public display of their work. "Rabbit Holes & Pepper Spray" officially comes out earlier this week on Amazon. I'm sure Zoe is excited, but her family, friends (including Bandit Nation) and I all shared the feeling as we eagerly awaited the release.

I really appreciate Zoe for her time during this busy week of final preparation of the book release. I encourage everyone to check out "Rabbit Holes & Pepper Spray" on Amazon. I look forward to getting an update interview with Zoe in the near future about the release, reaction and hoopla surrounding the debut of "Rabbit Holes & Pepper Spray."

On the Beat With Opal Lee

The Dallas Wings held a very special media session on Sunday. It started with a brief appearance by Coach Vickie Johnson, who graciously gave way to Opal Lee. Teacher, counselor, activist Lee is called the “grandmother of Juneteenth” for all the work she did in it becoming a national holiday. That media session is at On the Beat With Opal Lee.

A native of Marshall, Texas, Lee worked tirelessly for decades to have Juneteenth recognized as an official holiday. In 2021, at the age of 94, Lee was an honored guest as President Joe Biden signed it into law.

Lee's dream and her promise was to see Juneteenth as a holiday within her lifetime.  Her work with Juneteenth was her major accomplishment, but she has a lifetime of other social activism.

You could feel her pride as she spoke, but you also could see her genuine joy in life. At 95, Lee's spirit is infectious.

When the Wings announced the media session with Lee, I immediately RSVP'ed because it was a rare chance to be part of an interview session with a person of real historical significance. As the session progressed, I got chills listening to her speak. She has experienced so much and is so full of life. Juneteenth was her dream, but she also spoke on many other topics.

It was a wonderful experience taking part in this session with Lee. An important figure in history, Lee is an even more impressive human. Rarely have a left a media session feeling as positive about life in general.

On the Beat With Maranda Gutierrez of the DePaul Blue Demons

Yesterday, I was "On the Beat" with Maranda Gutierrez, who just finished a stellar softball career at DePaul. The interview is at On the Beat With Maranda Gutierrez. Maranda leaves DePaul with a lot of accomplishments and memories and we discuss it all.

Starting every game in her five seasons at DePaul, Maranda accumulated a long list of awards and accolades. Among her honors, she is a three-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. She won the BIG EAST top defensive honor in three of the four seasons it has been awarded. Making the All-Defensive Team three times would be quite an accomplishmnet. Being named the top defensive player is an amazing feat.

In talking to Maranda it is obvious she takes great pride in her defense. She talked about practicing with her dad and working with her coaches and infield mates to hone her skills. Clearly that work paid off. Watching Maranda field, you always felt she would make every play.

Her excellent defense overshadowed her solid offense. In the 2022 season, Maranda hit .306, with 4 home runs, 25 RBIs and a team high 46 runs scored. She also led the team in stolen bases with 12 and went 12-13 in attempts.

Maranda discussed her start in softball, her path to DePaul, playing at Cacciatore Stadium, her future and much more. I put her on the spot, asking her to choose between a fielding gem and a home run. Although it wasn't a surprise, I loved hearing Maranda's answer and reasoning.

Before we finished, I had a little extra fun by asking for her favorite type of Chicago pizza. Again, Maranda came up with an excellent answer.

Speaking on her future, Maranda said she would be involved in coaching, having started that journey back in the eighth grade. Maranda stressed the importance of athletics and her faith in her life.

I covered DePaul softball for all of Maranda's career. Getting to watch her up close, it was easy to almost take her accomplishments for granted. ”That's another great play by Mo” was often heard around Cacciatore Stadium. To see her maintain that level of excellence on offense and defense was amazing.

Although it wouldn't show in the stats, Maranda was great off the field, too. She was always willing to talk softball, lend a quote for a story or take a picture. If all of this sounds like the perfect player, it's because she was.

Thank you to Maranda for her time and consideration in this interview. Thank her even more for lots of great play on the field and friendship off. I wish Maranda a lot of success and happiness going forward.

On the Beat With Renee Van Peebles and Tommy Else

I spent yesterday morning at the Southside Occupational Academy's yearly wrestling event. I interviewed the first ever Women's champ Renee Van Peebles (On the Beat With Renee Van Peebles) and Tommy Else, the long-reigning Heavyweight champ who just lost his title (On the Beat With Tommy Else).

The Southside Occupational Academy is a transition center for students aged 16-22 with disabilities. They focus on independent functioning, social learning, vocational and applied academics. They do such wonderful work.

I was originally invited by teacher Sean Young, while we were both with Resistance Pro Wrestling. While I haven't been to every event, I have been to several and I am always humbled and amazed by the work Sean and the teachers do.

The day includes a few outdoor wrestling matches. The students love this event and get into it from bell to bell. Wrestlers volunteer their time, but I honestly think they get as much out of it as the students. I know I do. It really is an amazing site.

I talked to teacher-wrestler Renee Van Peebles after she own the Women's championship. She talked about what it meant to wrestle and win in front of her students, carrying the belt proudly, her upcoming matches and more.

I also talked to my podcast partner Tommy, who lost the title he held for four years. I have to admit he did lose by "nefarious means," as he stated. SYN used the old school green mist to blind Tommy and steal the win. Gracious in defeat, Tommy spoke about what the title and wrestling there means to him.

I thank Renee and Tommy for their time. I thank Sean for letting me be a small part of this event. I applaud all of the wrestlers and other volunteers who make this s special.

On the way home, I encountered the usual snarled traffic, but somehow it didn't seem to bother me. Events and people like these put the proper perspective on life.

Friend Encounters: Count von Count and Larry Freda

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

Although I have not met Larry Freda, I have featured him with celebrities here countless times. Perhaps today's featured celeb with Larry could help me count the times.

Count von Count first appeared on tv's Sesame Street in the Season Premiere in 1972. In his first scene, he was counting blocks with Bert and Ernie.

Obviously, the Count's main purpose is to help children learn to count. The Count family includes a mother, brother, uncle and grandparents. He also has been seen with several lady friends (but who's counting). Remarkably, in the almost 40 years he has been on Sesame Street, only two men have voiced and performed as the Count.

Although never really evil, the Count has become much friendlier over the years. He only gets annoyed when his counting is interrupted.

Larry isn't evil either. He is a big sports fan, usually seen here with members of New York teams, but I won't hold that against him. I respect his loyalty to his teams. Someday I will meet Larry in person. You can count on that! Ah-ah-ah!

Larry has battled some health issues, but hopefully he continues to get better. Send your good vibes his way.

Larry Freda and The Count in Langhorne, PA-June 2011.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #591 Chris Algieri & Jordan Poole

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, the New York Yankees end our season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams.

Boxer Chris Algieri was born in New York and earned the nickname "The Fighting Collegian" early in his career. He is 25-4 in his career and once held the WBO Junior Welterweight title in 2014. Algieri earned a Celebrity Jersey Card while tossing a pitch for the San Francisco Giants. Two more strikes and he would have had a punch out!

Wisconsin native Jordan Poole starred at Michigan before the Golden State Warriors selected him with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Poole has been a solid player with the Warriors, averaging 9.4 points per game over his three seasons. Poole turned his talents to the diamond and tossed a first pitch for the Giants to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Friend Encounters: Sheryl Steines and Joey Roth at Wizard World (...and Fan Expo)

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities. Today is a special edition in anticipation of the upcoming Fan Expo.

Fan Expo is less than one month away. Running July 7-10 in Rosemont, IL, Fan Expo takes over for Wizard World. Fan Expo promises to be just as fantastic as Wizard World always was.

One of my favorite guests at Wizard World was Sheryl Steines. I first met the Chicago area writer there years ago and have interviewed her several times since. Last year, Johngy's Beat Special Contributor Joey Roth handled the interviewing and that interview can be found at On the Beat With Sheryl Steines at Wizard World 2021.

An admitted television junkie, Sheryl credits Nancy Drew novels with inspiring her. That inspiration led to Sheryl's writing several books. Her first book, "The Day of the First Sun," was released in November of 2010. It is a supernatural murder mystery. The best description I saw for the book was it was a mystery about "the magical murder of a non-magical princess." The book appealed to me, because it seemed to be something unlike anything I have read.

I am not a huge fan of that genre, but I gave it a read and really enjoyed it. That book led to several more in her Wizard Hall Chronicles series.

Sheryl's writing is interesting and unique. She balances everything and keeps me engrossed. I can't wait to finish each book, but I never want it to end. At least I know there will be more.

One of the cool things about Sheryl is following her on social media. She posts about the process of writing, including rough patches. It makes me appreciate the finished product even more, but it shows how hard she works and how dedicated she is. I applaud her honesty and openness in putting that out there.

I look forward to seeing Sheryl at Fan Expo and hope to get an update interview with her. Sheryl will be one of several great creator friends I will see, as well as meeting new and different ones.

Go to SherylSteines.com for more info on Sheryl and her work. Go to FanExpoHQ.com for more info and scheduling.

Sheryl Steines and Joey Roth in Rosemont, IL-October 2021.

On the Beat With Kristin Marushka

 I went “On the Beat” to interview Kristin Marushka for Global Women's Sports Radio. It was my first time interviewing someone in the world of fitness competition and Kristin gave a great look at all aspects it. The interview is at On the Beat With Kristin Marushka.

Of course, we started with her start in the industry. I cannot imagine the courage it takes to get on stage the first time and every time. Kristin started at a late age (for such competitions), which had to add to the pressure, but she handles it with poise and confidence.

Kristin talked about competitions being a sport. She makes a compelling case and I agree and applaud all it takes to get to that level and stay at that level.

She went on to talk about nutrition, motivation, sponsors and more. It was an enlightening look into an unfamiliar, but fascinating, world for me.

Kristin's next competition is in July. I thank Kristin for her time and wish Kristin success and we hope to talk to her after the competition season to learn more about the world of fitness competition.

Allie Koop and the Chicago Blitz

Tomorrow, the Chicago Blitz square off against the Kansas City Force in the first game of the season and the first game of the newly rebranded X League. The Blitz (formerly the Bliss) and the X League (formerly the Lingerie Football League and the Legends Football League) start a new and exciting chapter in their storied history. I am sure this will be another interesting twist to be added.

I have written a lot about my on and off relationship with the league. While I questioned some of the actions of the previous leagues, I have never questioned the athletes. These women are as tough and dedicated as any athlete. As more proof of their passion, these women practice for many months, to play a handful of games. In fact, this season, they will only play two games. I'd immediately question why only two games, but I am giving the new league the benefit of the doubt and hoping they are rebuilding this league. The women deserve that.

One of the newest members of the Blitz is Alissa Koop. At a team scrimmage last season, I saw an incredible force on the field. I saw her carry several players on her back as she moved down the field. She looked like a dynamo. About halfway through the practice, I realized I was sitting next to her family. I relayed a bit of my history with the team to them and said how impressed I was with this powerhouse.

After the scrimmage, I talked to Allie Koop and told her all of this. I learned a little more about her in our interview, which is at On the Beat With the Chicago Blitz.

If you haven't guessed by looking at her (especially those legs), Allie has done some body building. As big of a beast on the field though, Allie was as cool as can be off and in our interview. I think she is going to be a star in this league and definitely a fan favorite.

I'll be covering the Blitz all season. For more info though, check out the X League website.

 Alissa Koop and me in Bridgeview, IL-May 2021.

Thank You Northwestern Softball

The magical, exciting season ended for the Northwestern Wildcats. A Thursday afternoon 13-2 beatdown from Oklahoma, followed by a Friday night 6-1 loss to UCLA spelled doom for the Wildcats.

Staff ace Danielle Williams started both games, taking two losses to drop her record to 31-6, still very impressive. Was Williams off or were the Sooners just playing like usual? The Sooners, 55-2, won nearly 80 percent of their games by the run rule. They are a juggernaut.

After losing Thursday afternoon, the Wildcats faced a tough road. Even if they managed to get back to the Finals, they probably would have to defeat Oklahoma twice to advance to the championship game. Only two teams beat Oklahoma all season. They lost 4-2 at Texas and 4-3 versus Oklahoma State in the big 12 Tournament.

Friday, they faced the tough UCLA Bruins, who were 49-9. The Wildcats kept it closer, but the offense was too quiet.

In the two games, NU managed only eight hits. Only two were extra base hits, a home run by Rachel Lewis and a double by Grace Nieto. Meanwhile, NU gave up 21 hits, including three homers and a double. 

NU made it to the final eight. Only one team wins it all. That doesn't mean everyone else had unsuccessful seasons. I'm not in the “everyone gets a ribbon” crowd, but NU's season needs o be recognized for what it was, a very successful season.

Where does it leave the Wildcats going forward? Outfield slugger Rachel Lewis is a grad student and has already committed to playing for Athletes Unlimited this summer.

Seniors include Lauren Dvorak (P), Maeve Nelson (SS), Skyler Shellmyer (OF), Lauren Caldrone (OF), Sammy Stanley (OF), Danielle Williams (P) and Jordyn Rudd. That could be some big losses, especially Williams. I'm waiting to see which players opt to return under the Covid exemptions.

For now, the Wildcats should savor their experience at the WCWS. It was a great season.

Go to NUSports.com for info on all NU teams. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Kate Drohan and me in Evanston IL-September 2021.

On the Beat With James Azrael

As I begin my coverage of Flashback Weekend, I start with an interview with James Azrael, a man of many talents and a regular at Flashback Weekend. The interview can be found at On the Beat With James Azrael.

Flashback Weekend is two months away. That's only two months until Chicago's largest and longest running Horror Convention returns. Mike and Mia Kerz started Flashback Weekend in 2002 and have made it a huge event, without losing the intimate feel. Held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago August 5-7 at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont, this year's Flashback Weekend looks to be the best eve

In the world of horror icons, it doesn't get any bigger than Robert Englund. The man is a legitimate legend. If Englund was the only celebrity guest, it would be enough, but the rest of the list is lengthy and impressive.

Also appearing are Alex Winter (The Lost Boys), Steve Miner (Friday the 13th: Part 2)< Robert Carradine and Don Gibb (Revenge of the Nerds), P.J. Soles and John Michael Graham (Halloween), Airon Armstrong (Halloween Kills), Heather Langenkamp, Lisa Wilcox, Brooke Theiss, Toy Newkirk, Ken Sagoes, and Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart (Night of the Comet), Quinn Lord (Trick 'r Treat), Kane Hodder (aka Jason), Jeff Daniel Phillips (The Munsters), Melinda Clarke (Return of the Living Dead) and Tom Devlin (special effects master). That is an amazing lineup.

There will also be many vendors and exhibitors, one of my favorites being my friend James. I interviewed James about his work with the Horror and SciFi Prop Preservation Association (HSPPA), Spooky's Swirls, The Lobo Fragmendium and more, while also talking about Flashback Weekend. As usual, James will be at Flashback and you never know what he might bring with him, but it will definitely be cool.

The many other vendors will be promoting and selling awesome stuff. Authors, artists and creators of all kinds display their creations.

There are many fun events, including panels, Q&A's, costume contests and much more. It is a weekend chock full of horror fun!

I love Flashback Weekend. I will be “On the Beat” as usual and can't wait. Until then, I will provide more looks at special guests of Flashback Weekend, as well as updates on the guest list and events. Stay tuned here and I hope to see you there.

Go to HSPPA.com for more info on James and his work. Check FlashbackWeekend.com for info and scheduling.

Friend Encounters: Vickie Guerrero and Tony Feddeler

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

Excuuuuuuuse me! Yes, I had to start this with Vickie Guerrero's famous catchphrase. 

Guerrero had an unlikely, but undeniable rise to stardom in the WWE. The seldom seen wife of the late Eddie Guerrero, Vickie only started getting an onscreen role after his death. She took that role and made it a major success. usually as the heal manager, GM, advisor or other, Vickie played her part well. She was one the fans loved to hate (or hated to love).

My pal Tony met Vickie at the Squared Circle Expo in May 2021. I actually witnessed this meeting, as I had also just met her. I hate to break the character's reputation, but the real Vickie was as sweet as could be. She even did her famous screeching catchphrase several times for fans.

The SCX was a great time. It had so many wrestling legends, many who haven't done a lot of other appearances.

Aside from those wrestling legends, SCX was also a place for me to reconnect with great friends like Tony. I hadn't seen him since the pandemic. SCX was a bit of a return to normalcy for may of us. I might not see Tony that often, but seeing him at conventions like this is always one of the highlights.

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for more info on next year's event. It's not too early to start planning a trip to SCX III.

Tony doesn't have a website, but you can probably meet him in person at the SCE II and other such events. He's not a wrestling legend, but he is legendary nonetheless.

Vickie Guerrero and Tony Feddeler in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #590 Lou Costello & Jimmy Durante

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

New Jersey native Lou Costello found great fame as part of the Abbott and Costello comedy duo. Their "Who's On First" routine is legendary and is recognized in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Costello, Abbott and Joe Dimaggio had fun representing all three New York teams (at the time). Abbott already had a Giants CJC and now Costello is immortalized on his own Celebrity Jersey Card.

Born in the 1800s in New York, Jimmy Durante went on to a legendary entertainment career. "The Schnozz" was famous for his unique nose, but his talents went well beyond his facial features. A noted fan of the Dodgers, Durante earned a Celebrity Jersey Card (one of the oldest) while having fun with Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson.

Cards That Never Were: Jim Lyttle Topps 1973 and '75-77

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.

Today, I planned on creating missing cards for former baseball player Jim Lyttle. Instead, I found all of his missing cards already done expertly by a couple folks I have previously mentioned here.

Custom Baseball Cards is a fantastic Facebook group in which people post hundreds of card (not just baseball) creations. Lynn is a moderator and has produced hundreds of cards, including several at my request.

When Topps Had (Bse)Balls is a site dedicated to creating "Cards That Never Were" created by Gio. The site is in its tenth year of showcasing Gio's virtual card creating skills.

Outfielder Jim Lyttle was selected out of Florida State University by the New York Yankees in the first round (10th overall) of the 1966 MLB Draft. Lyttle made his MLB debut in 1969. He remained in the Major Leagues with the Yankees through the 1971 season. He was traded to the Chicago White Six before the '72 season. After one season with the Sox, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals, who then sold him to the Montreal Expos halfway through the '73 season. Lyttle actually never played for the Royals, spending his partial '73 season in the minors. Early in the '74 season, the New York Mets purchased Lyttle and released him late in the season without ever bringing him to the big league club. He signed with the White Sox after the '74 season and played for their AAA team, before being purchased by the Expos  midseason. In midseason '76, the Expos released him and he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who released him at the end of the season, ending his career.

Overall, in parts of eight MLB seasons, Lyttle played in 391 games. He accumulated 176 hits with nine homers, 70 RBIs, 71 runs scored and four stolen bases. He hit .248 for his career.

For his efforts, Lyttle appeared on Topps cards 1970-72 and '74. That left '73 and '75-77 missing. As I mentioned, these cards were already done by Lynn (the first two) and Gio (the last two). Since they did great jobs, there was no need for me to recreate them. Still, I wanted to feature Lyttle and it gave me a reason to promote the work of Lynn and Gio again.

Pinfalls: WWE Hell in a Cell 2022

I was joined by Global Women's Sports Radio Contributor Tommy Else for Pinfalls. WWE Hell in a Cell airs live from Chicago on Sunday, June 5 at 7 p.m. CST. When WWE airs a PPV, look for Pinfalls, on which Tommy and I analyze the card and make our predictions.

The card for Hell in a Cell is:

Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel

Hell in a Cell match

Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins

United States Championship match

Austin Theory (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

Intergender Three Person Tag match

Finn Balor, AJ Styles and Liv Morgan vs. Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley)

Two on One match

Bobby Lashley vs. Omos and MVP

Raw Women's Championship match

Bianca Belair vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch

As always, you have to watch the video to see our picks, but I will say we agree on four of the matches. This year, Tommy is 18-18 (27-25 lifetime), while I am 13-23 YTD (51-32 lifetime). After a solid 2021, I am struggling this season, but Tommy has been very hot of late.

I am very excited about the women's match. These three should tear down the house. I am not sure why Lynch was added just recently, but I don't mind it. Usually, I would be against the late (and mostly unneeded) addition, but I see Lynch adding an interesting element to the match and not just because I am a big Lynch fan.

After we finished discussing the HiaC card, Tommy and I delved into the controversial situation involving Sasha Banks and Naomi. As someone who experienced an unhappy tag team partner, Tommy lent a unique insight into the situation.

Watch the video for our predictions and feel free to message us on social media with your thoughts. Enjoy the show on Sunday and check back here on Monday at GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com. Also, for more podcast fun, check The Johngy OR Else Podcast available on most podcast platforms.

Jordyn Rudd and the Northwestern Wildcats in the Women's College World Series

The Northwestern Wildcats are heading to Oklahoma for the finals in the Women's College World Series. They are one of eight teams still standing.

The No. 9 Wildcats defeated No. 8 Arizona State in the best or three series last weekend. NU won the first game in 11 innings, but lost the second game in eight. They had a big comeback win, after being down 5-0, to win the series on Sunday.

Catcher Jordyn Rudd had a fantastic series. Rudd went 9-14 (.642) with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. In the previous weekend's Evanston Regional, Rudd went 5-9 with a double and a homer and 7 RBIs. That continues a hot season for Rudd, who hit .375.

A senior at Northwestern, Rudd has had a wonderful career. Even more important, she is a leader on and off the field and a quality person. She was even kind enough to do a promo for this site at Jordyn Rudd Shout Out.

NU returns to action today against No. 1 ranked Oklahoma. Along with Oklahoma and NU, Texas and UCLA make up this side of the bracket. It will be a challenge for the Wildcats. If they lose to Oklahoma in the first game, they will still be alive because it is a double-elimination bracket, but they would have to beat the final team twice, which would probably be Oklahoma. I'll state the obvious and write NU needs to beat Oklahoma in the game today.

Go to NUSports.com for more info. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Jordyn Rudd and me in Evanston, IL-May 2022.

Enerjax at C2E2 2021

At C2E2 2021, I finally had a chance to talk to artist Enerjax, but the usual chaos of the convention did not allow me to interview her. Fortunately, in the Zoom age, I was able to finally get that introductory interview. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Enerjax.

Enerjax got her moniker by combining energy with Jackie, her given name. Not only is that a cool name, it accurately describes her. She has a lot of energy and it is expressed in her beautiful art work.

Despite being Chicago-based, I somehow never interviewed her. One good thing that has come out of this pandemic is the possibility of Zoom interviews. Zoom has opened up a lot fo posibilities. No instead of waiting another year for C2E2 to try to get that elusive interview with Enerjax, I was able to get it right from home. I still hope to get another update one from her at C2E2 2022.

This year, C2E2 2022 runs August 5-7. It's earlier than last year's December event, but still later than its usual February/March slot. Maybe they are trying to slowly get it back there. As long as there is a C2E2, the time of year doesn't matter to me. I'll be there and hopefully so will Enerjax!

Follow Enerjax on Facebook and Instagram to get all her updates, see her art and get all of her links. Check C2E2.com for all info on C2E2 2022.

Enerjax and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.