Bambi Bloodlust at the Windy City Rollers 2017 Juanna Rumbel Cup

Friday night, I was back on the Beat with the Windy City Rollers.  All four teams of the WCR were competing for the JRC championship.  My full recap can be found on the Patch at On the Beat at the 2017 Juanna Rumbel Cup.
Hell's Belles won the Juanna Rumble Cup via a 91-82 victory over The Manic Attackers.  This bout was competitive and exciting from beginning to end.  It was a relatively low-scoring battle, with both teams under the 100 point mark, but that did not detract from the fun.  The game was just hard-fought, well-played, smash-mouth.
There is a lot of beauty in such a game.  It was roller derby at its finest and I was glued to the action.  In roller derby, you don't need a lot of scoring to have a lot of action.
The Juanna Rumbel Cup MVP was Bambi Bloodlust.  I had just met her earlier in the night.  Little did I know I was posing with the future MVP!  The best part is she was as nice as could be.  That doesn't surprise me though.  All of the WCR athletes are very fan-friendly.
I'll be covering the Windy City Rollers all season.  I'll be sprinkling in WCR stories here and on the Patch.  In between my reports, you can follow the WCR at WindyCityRollers.com, the WCR Facebook page and the WCR on twitter.
Thank you to the WCR for their hospitality.  I can't wait for the next WCR night of fun!

Bambi Bloodlust and me in Chicago, IL-February 2017.

Friendly Encounters: The Edge and Erin Morris

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Whether chasing down her favorite rock stars, managing her latest wrestling talent, handing dj duties at RPro or just hanging out, Erin is always in the middle of the action.  Honestly, is she not the coolest?

I first saw Erin years ago at an indy wrestling event.  She was working her magic with some tag team, if memory serves correctly.  Years later, I found myself working with her at Resistance Pro.  I still think she is the coolest.

I don't know how she meets so many rock stars though and she doesn't reveal her secrets.  Actually, she doesn't reveal much.  She has had an interesting career in wrestling.  She has seen a lot and been involved in a lot.  I have tried to interview her, but she politely declines.  Her stated reason is that she is afraid of what will come out of her mouth, which is the exact reason I would love to interview her.

Erin took a picture with The Edge of U2 fame.  I don't think she ever took a picture with Edge of wrestling fame.  That would be a cool combo.  If anyone could pull it off, it would be Erin, but don't expect her to tell you how!

Erin Morris and The Edge in Boston, MA-July 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #311 Jimmy Buffett & David Bowie

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for jersey-clad celebrities.

Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Jimmy Buffett rose to fame in Margaritaville.  Parrotheads flock to this music legend.  The Minnesota Wild gifted him with this unique jersey, which allowed me to create a very colorful Celebrity Jersey Card.  I'm not sure if the Wild ever officially wore this jersey, but since it is team created, it is good enough for me.

This is an edited version of my original post.  Thanks to reader Ned for identifying the man pictured as Mick Ronson, after I had him listed as rock legend David Bowie.  The late Ronson was a musician who played with David Bowie as one of the Spiders from Mars, among his musical accomplishments.  I blame my excitement over finding a celeb wearing a California Golden Seals jersey for this mistake.  I also thank Ned for reading and for correcting my error.

Noelle Foley at C2E2 2016

When did Mick Foley's little girl Noelle grow up?  How did Mick Foley even produce such a beautiful girl?  I'm infringing on Al Snow territory there.
I remember Noelle when she was a toddler.  I have been friendly with Mick for many years and he always spoke so lovingly of his family.  I remember seeing pictures of all of his kids (three sons and Noelle).  Mick always seemed to have his priorities straight.
All of a sudden it seems the kids have become adults.  Noelle has done some work in the entertainment industry.  She did some reporting work at C2E2 last year and I was lucky enough to run into her for a photo.
Mick has been a fan of women's wrestling and has worked for equality within the business.  This is especially significant now that Noelle has started to work towards becoming a wrestler.  I'll be following that story as it develops.
I salute Noelle for pursuing her dream.  I also applaud Mick for being a great dad above all.  Mick seems to have survived and even succeeded after retiring from in-ring activity.

Noelle Foley and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Player Coach Michelle Gascoigne

Softball pitcher Michelle Gascoigne won an NCAA softball championship with Oklahoma.  She was drafted by the Chicago Bandits and has won two National Pro Fastpitch titles with them.In addition to the NCAA title, she left Oklahoma with a degree in education.  She is combining that degree with her playing experience as she embarks on a career in coaching.  Currently, she is on Kate Drohan's staff at Northwestern University.  Previously, she was on the staff at her alma mater Oklahoma for 2014-15.  Despite her youth, I have seen Michelle "coaching" her Bandits teammates on occasion.  She is very knowledgeable and has a passion for the game.

She is also one of the pitchers who "advised" me on my one at bat in 2015.  I believe her exact words were a negative head shake.  She proved to be wise with that reaction.

I will be covering the Bandits again this season.  I will also be onb the beat with the NU Wildcats.  I have interviewed Michelle as a player and I am looking forward to picking her brain as a coach.

One of the highlights of last year was watching her pitch in Akron.  As of this writing, I do not know if she will still be playing in the NPF.  I hope she is.  I always anjoy watching her pitch.  She is a talented battler out there.  It has been a real pleasure covering her and knowing her.

Michelle Gascoigne and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2015.

Celebrity Jersey Card Miss: Leah Remini

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular feature where I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing spirts jerseys.  To date, I have created over 600 such cards.

Recently while watching King of Queens, while Doug (Kevin James) was on the phone, Carrie (Leah Remini) wearing a New York Jets jersey, was in the background.  It appears to be a #10 Chad Pennington jersey.

I immediately (yes, I am insane) went online to find an image of Remini in that Jets jersey.  I came up empty.  Then I tried to screen cap it from the episode on YouTube.  This was another fail, as you can see below, because Remini was not prominent enough in the scene (Darn you Kevin James!).

This would have been a great one.  Remini is one of my favorites and she looked so cute in the jersey.

This leaves me with a gnawing void in the Celebrity Jersey Cards history.  It is so close, yet so far.  It's one thing not to have a possibility.  It's another thing to be teased!

I'm On Puck Planet

I met Ryan Crappa during our time as writers for Tru School Sports.  Recently, Ryan announced he was starting Puck Planet, a site which would be dedicated to hockey.  He got a few writers from TSS on board, along with some new writers.

Ryan approached me, but I didn't think I would be able to contribute daily (or enough to satisfy the needs).  Fortunately, Ryan was fine with my limited commitment and I agreed to contribute a few times a month at the least.  I would be covering the Rockford IceHogs, along with writing an occasional feature piece on some hockey topic.

I am really excited about this site and writing for it.  I think Puck Planet has a bright future.  Ryan has the enthusiasm, knowledge and patience needed to run the site.  The writers already on board are all talented and dedicated.  I'm looking forward to watching it all develop and grow.

My first piece for Puck Planet is Rockford IceHogs Fight For Playoffs Spot.  Please check it out and return often to PuckPlanet.com, your top destination for all things hockey!

A Pack To Be Named Later

A Pack To Be Named Later is a website founded several years ago by Matt F., of Heartbreaking Cards.  The stated goal of the site is to rip open (at least) one pack of every card product ever made.  Admittedly, it was ambitious.  Now, several years later, APTBNL is going strong.

Each post would consist of the writer opening one pack of whatever cards.  The pack and the individual cards are included in the piece, along with a brief summary of the set, the cards and possibly other random thoughts.  There was no strict guidelines, other than to have fun and to show the packs.

I contributed in the early years of the site.  Some of the packs I showcased include 1978 Donruss Kiss, 1976 Topps Welcome Back Kotter, 1991 Impel WCW, 1991 Topps American Gladiators and others.  It was fun writing and also reading what others wrote.

Unfortunately, I drifted away a bit.  I got busy with other projects and did not keep up with APTBNL.  I still checked the site and always meant to start again, but it just didn't happen, until now.

I am once again writing on APTBNL.  My first piece showcases a pack of 2016 Topps WWE.  I don't know how often I will appear there, but I am trying for a few times every month.

It feels good to see my first piece back there.  It really is a fun site.  There are plenty of packs still to go and plenty of packs that can be repeated for different and interesting results.  You can always check out all of my pieces for APTBNL by clicking on the APTBNL box in the right column.

Friendly Encounters: Fernando Valenzuela and Dodger Bobble

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Joshua Kohl is the creative baseball fan behind DodgerBobble, a cool website dedicated to the Los Angeles Dodgers, bobble heads and baseball.  While the site hasn't been updated in a long time, there is so much baseball goodness still to be found there.  I love this site.
Fernando-Mania hit in the summer of 1981.  Fernando Valenzuela eventually cooled off, but still had an excellent 17 year career in the majors, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  He will always be a beloved part of the Dodgers history and community.
It seems perfect that Josh was able to meet Valenzuela.  While he might not be the greatest Dodger of the last 35 years (Mike Piazza?) he is one of the best and possibly the most recognizable.  He is destined to be a lifer, almost like a team mascot.
Josh is a big baseball fan.  Meeting the legendary Valenzuela had to be a thrill.  I know the feeling.  Congrats on getting this icon!

Joshua Kohl and Fernando Valenzuela in Los Angeles, CA-March 2011.

Happy Birthday Sam!

My youngest niece Sam is celebrating her birthday today.  It's going to be quite a year of celebrating for Sam, too.

The picture below is from her Pinning Ceremony.  We are all so proud of Sam for her hard work.  She's going to do great things.

Coming ahead this year, Sam will be getting married to Kyle (seen in the photo).  That will be quite a celebration, too.  Just a few weeks after that, Sam, Kyle and I will be running in the Chicago Marathon.

Sam is an amazing young lady.  She is smart, tough, sweet and has a huge heart and a great sense of humor.  I couldn't be prouder of Sam.

I am also so happy to be involved in the Marathon with her and Kyle.  I appreciate them letting me share in the experience.

Happy birthday Sam.  I hope this is your best year yet!  I love you!

Sam Parker and the family in Naperville, IL-December 2016.