Jon Provost at Motor City Comic Con 2013

The Motor City Comic Con returns May 17-19. I continue to recall some of my favorite moments, while I look forward to this year's MCCC.

Already a four year acting veteran, Jon Povost joined the cast of Lassie when he was only seven. Provost stayed on the series for 7 seasons. Provost had a few more roles, before he left show business. He eventually returned to acting when he appeared on The New Lassie in 1989.

Provost has kept busy working for animal caused and appearing at conventions. Some 50 years after his first tv role, Provost was still very popular at MCCC in 2013. He was in great spirits and happy to be doing the convention. He graciously gave me a few minutes of his time for our interview. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Jon Provost.

Go to MotorCityComicCon.com for all of the info, including the celebrity guest list and scheduling. You can also find Motor City Comic Con on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Jon Provost and me in Novi-MI-May 2013.

Friend Encounters: Jourdan Skirha and Jonathan Cimaglio

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

A noted autograph collector, Jonathan Cimaglio must have thousands of graphs in his collection. I know I have seen hinm get several hundred at Chicago Bandits games. Cimags is a big fan of the women's pro softball team. Actually, he is a fan of the whole league, including the Aussie Peppers, who are based out of Mankato, not that far from where Cimags relocated a couple years ago. Did they put a team out there just for him?

I am sure Cimags would agree that Jourdan Skirha is not the most famous person her ever met, but she is one of his favorites (and mine, too). We first knew her as an intern with the Bandits, then as Director of Game Day Operations. Last month, Jourdan was named Assistant to the GM. Cimags and I both congratulate Jourdan on the promotion and the Bandits on an excellent choice.

I don't know if Cimags has Joudan's autograph, but I wouldn't doubt it. If not, he should add her to his collection. A young women in such a position is pretty big news.

Cimags has a YouTube page featuring all sorts of graphing-related content. You can find it at Cimags on YouTube.

Go to ChicagoBandits.com for all of the info on the team. You can also follow the Bandits on all forms of social media, including Chicago Bandits on Facebook.

Jourdan Skirha and Jonathan Cimaglio in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #424 Andy Roddick & Melanie Oudin

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams. Today we feature 2 stars from the world of tennis.

A native of Texas, Andy Roddick achieved great success in tennis, ultimately reaching #1 ranking status in 2003. He won many tournaments and awards during his career and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall Of Fame in 2017. Roddick met his wife model Brooklyn Decker after first seeing her on Sports Illustrated's website. Roddick brought his usual game face and intensity when he threw out the first pitch for the Braves and earned his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Born in Marietta, GA, Melanie Oudin had a successful 10 year run in professional tennis. Along the way, she won one World Tennis Association tile and six International Tennis Association titles, while ascending to a #31 ranking at her peak. Oudin stayed true to her Georgia roots by donning the Atlanta Braves jersey for her Celebrity Jersey Card. She gets extra points for having other sports equipment and for the action shot.

Ernest Thomas at Motor City Comic Con 2013

The Motor City Comic Con returns to Novi, MI May 17-19 and I will be "On the Beat" as usual. While I look forward to this year, I look back at some of my favorite moments over the years at MCCC.

Ernest Lee Thomas rose to fame as "Raj" on tv's What's Happening!! Several years later, he reprised that role on What's Happening Now!! He also had a recurring role on Everybody Hates Chris.

I had the pleasure o meeting Ernest several years ago at MCCC and I landed an interview with him there. That interview can be found at On the Beat with Ernest L. Thomas.

That interview was a lot of fun, especially because Ernest started it with a bit of extra humor. Little things like that make for memorable moments for me, but probably also help him get through the many interviews he has to do at such conventions. I am grateful for his time and even more so for him being a great sport.

I love the picture, too. Our shirts are a pretty close match in color.

Go to MotorCityComicCon.com for more info and scheduling. Also follow Motor City Comic Con on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Ernest Thomas and me in Novi, MI-May 2013.

Trish Stratus at Motor City Comic Con 2018

The Motor City Comic Con returns to Novi, MI May 17-19. While I look forward to lots of fun this year, I look back on some of the great times I have had covering the MCCC over the years.

Trish Stratus rose to fame in the WWE. During her time in the WWE, she won the WWE Women's championship 7 times. One of the most successful and most popular wrestlers, Trish has been semi-retired since 2006. She still does occasionally make appearances.

Only recently, Trish started making convention appearances and fans are ecstatic. Her line at MCCC was easily one of the longest I have seen anywhere. People want to get a little "Stratusfaction" and I was happy to wait for my chance.

The constraints of any convention limit the interaction with the celebrities, but Trish did her best to make everyone's meeting special.

I caught a little break when her handler was dealing with some other situation, leaving Trish free time. Of course, I took advantage of those extra few minutes. I talked to her about her Toronto Maples Leafs, her infant children, her "Team Bestie" tour with former WWE diva Amy "Lita" Dumas.

Trish was polite and outgoing. I must add that pictures do not do her justice. Trish is absolutely beautiful in person.

Honestly though, I am happy to report that she was just a real sweetheart all weekend. I ran into her later (not by her booth) and she remembered me and thanked me for stopping by. It's just those little things which make the encounter special.

I am sure this year, the MCCC will once again have some wrestlers appearing. Over the years, they have gotten many of the all-time greats and some of my favorites. Trish would fit into both of those categories.

Check MotorCityComicCon.com for all of the info, including scheduling and the celebrity guest list. Also, follow Motor City Comic Con on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Trish Stratus and me in Novi, MI-May 2018.

Quinn Biggio of Notre Dame

The Northwestern Wildcats sit in 1st place in the Big Ten with a perfect 17-0 conference record. They are 38-7 overall. They have 3 games at Michigan State, who is in last place, and 3 at Minnesota, who is in 3rd place.

The Big Ten Conference championship tournament is May 9-11 in Bloomington, IN. The road to the college World Series begins with the NCAA playoff selection show is on Sunday, May 12. I'll be reporting back here as all progresses.

In addition to the exciting softball I have watched all season, I have met some interesting people, including players, coaches and fans of other teams. One such player was Notre Dame's Quinn Biggio.

The Paker boys and I were very familiar with Quinn's father Craig, from our many games at Minute Maid park. Craig, of course, was a Hall of Fame player with the Astros. Matt actually had a short interview with him which is at On the Beat With Craig Biggio. Craig's sons Conor and Cavan played baseball at Notre Dame and Cavan is now in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

Quinn had a stellar high school career.As a senior, she hit .395 with seven home runs, 39 RBI, a .500 on-base percentage, a .755 slugging percentage and 37 runs in only 33 games.

As a first year player at Notre Dame, Quinn has scuffled a bit at the plate. She has started 43 of the team's 44 games, but is hitting .219. She is 4th on the team in home runs, 6th in rbi's and 8th in runs scored. She has only made 5 errors for a .960 fielding percentage. The scouting report predicts a bright future for Quinn and she already is a fan favorite.

When Notre Dame came to Evanston, I had the chance to briefly talk to Quinn after the game. It was one of the rare times I have met a father-daughter sports combination. Aside from wrestlers, I cannot think of any others I have met.

I'll be following Quinn's career as she matures and adjusts to collegiate softball. She is now on my list for future interviews.

Go to UND.com for more info on Quinn and the Fighting Irish. Also, check NUSports.com for all of the info on the Wildcats!

Quinn Biggio and me in Evanston, IL-April 2019.

Seth Gold and Ashley Gold at Motor City Comic Con 2012

The Motor City Comic Con runs May 17-19 in Novi, MI. I'll be "On the Beat" as always, but untl then, I am recalling some of my favorite moments from my years covering MCCC.

Local celebrities are always extra special at comic cons. Thanks to a very successful pawn shop and television show Hardcore Pawn, the Gold family moved beyond local fame to major exposure.

Several years ago at MCCC, I had the pleasure of meeting the Gold siblings. On the show, Ashley and Seth can often be seen squabbling and trying to get an advantage on the other. While there is no hatred, the relationship doesn't seem harmonious.

Of course, there is a difference between reality and reality television (see my experiences with the Resistance Pro and Chicago Bliss reality shows). I am quite sure Seth and Ashley are like your average siblings.

At the MCCC, Seth and Ashley were extremely nice, outgoing and funny. We took the standard picture and one of them (I think Ashley) raised a fist at me for a fun shot. The other one followed suit and the result was the picture below. I didn't ask for this picture. It was all Ashley and Seth. You can even see me laughing (not selling the punches), because I was surprised and genuinely laughing at the interaction.

This picture speaks volumes. It shows the type of fun that can be had at MCCC. Celebrities don't always do the standard quick pic and move on. I have had many fun encounters with all sorts of the celebrity guests.

It also shows that Seth and Ashley can be fun-loving folks, despite their appearance on the show. Hardcore Pawn made for entertaining television, but like most reality shows, the accuracy level isn't all that important.

Hardcore Pawn is no longer filming new episodes, but you can get more info on the American Jewelry and Loan store at PawnDetroit.com. Go to MotorCityComicCon.com to get all of the info, including the scheduling and celebrity guest list. You can also follow MCCC on Facebook for frequent updates.

Seth Gold, Ashley Gold and me in Novi, MI-May 2012.

Chicago Bandits 2019 National Pro Fastpitch Draft

Last Monday, my coverage of the 2019 Chicago Bandits officially kicked off with the National Pro Fastpitch Draft. The Bandits hosted the event at King's Dining and Entertainment in Rosemont. Kings was packed with Bandits fans as we watched the draft unfold on big screens.

Current players Courtney Gano and Abby Ramirez were joined by Bandits legend Amber Patton and several members of the front office and everyone's favorite mascot Swiper. The Bandits contingent mingled and chatted with fans all night.

The 2019 Bandits draft class was:

1st Round #1-Kelly Barnhill-University of Florida-pitcher

1st Round #4-Alyssa DiCarlo-University of Georgia-shortstop

2nd Round #9-Caleigh Clifton-University of Oklahoma-infield

3rd Round #14-Abbey Cheek-University of Kentucky-infield

4th Round #19-Katie Reed-University of Kentucky-shortstop

5th Round #24-Savannah Heebner-University of Houston-pitcher/utility

This group of collegiate stars will only make the Bandits younger and stronger.

I also covered the night for Patch.com at Chicago Bandits 2019 National Pro Fastpitch Draft. My coverage will appear there, online at Global Traveler and also right here all season. Check any and all of those places all season.

Also go to ChicagoBandits.com for more news, scheduling and other info.

Swiper and me in Rosemont, IL-April 2019.

Friend Encounters: Crazy Mary Dobson and Jim Strong

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

When the picture below was taken, the wrestler was known as Crazy Mary Dobson. She was the women's champ at Resistance Pro Wrestling. Although she was pretty young, you knew she was destined for great things in wrestling.

Those great things would start coming quickly, s she soon joined the WWE, where she is currently wrestling as Sarah Logan. Whether Mary or Sarah, she is a real talented performer. I expect her to continue to improve and one day become WWE women''s champ.

The man in the photo was known as Jim Strong. Actually, he is still Jim Strong. He really has no fascinating back story, but I had to include him because he's in the picture with Sarah.

Seriously, Jim is a good friend and a big fan of wrestling. I just like giving him a hard time. Along with being a fan, he is a big supporter of the performers, meaning he buys their tshirts (fortunately he doesn't wear them like Sarah), pictures and more. Jim has met so many wrestlers, but Sarah has to be among the best. If she is not yet, it really is only a matter of time.

While Sarah is on her way to greatness, Jim is cruising along in mediocrity.Occasionally he rises above, lke now, when he is the co-feature on JohngysBeat.com.

in Summit, IL-February 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #424 "Rowdy Roddy Piper & "Mean" Gene Okerlund

This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Once again, we are working our way alphabetically through all of the Major League Baseball teams.

Although he was billed as hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Roddy Piper was actually born in Canada. He overcame a rough upbringing to forge a Hall of Fame career in wrestling. Unfortunately, Roddy died in 2017, far too early. He was my favorite wrestler and he was a friend. He joined fellow wrestling legends Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and "Mean" Gene Okerlund for a special day in Toronto. This is the first Celebrity Jersey Card featuring a kilt. RIP RRP.

Born in South Dakota, Gene Okerlund started his legendary wrestling announcing career in Minnesota with the now defunct AWA. Along the way to his Hall of Fame career, "Mean" Gene interviewed all of the big names while working for all of the big companies. Gene's son Todd played for the US Olympic hockey team and briefly for the New York Islanders. Gene died earlier this year, only a couple months after I last saw him. Gene's Celebrity Jersey Card comes from a special day with the Blue Jays, which also featured "Bobby The Brain" Heenan and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.