Shana Sumers of the Chicago Winds

While covering the Voices of the Game event on WNBA All-Star weekend, I got a pleasant surprise. While doing interviews on the orange (WNBA color) carpet, I saw Shana Sumers.

Shana plays professional football with the Chicago Winds, a women's pro team. Shana and I crossed paths several times over the years, but I never had a chance to actually chat with her. 

As a veteran professional woman athlete, Shana said she is very happy to see women's sports getting the spotlight. While the Winds don't get the coverage of the WNBA Chicago Sky, players like Shana pave the way for future women athletes.

The Chicago Winds started play in 2025 in Elmhurst, Illinois. This season, they moved to the south side of Chicago. A new home has not been announced yet for the 2027 season which starts in March. For more info on that, go to thechicagowinds.com.

We chatted for a few minutes about the Chicago Bliss and other women's sports (shout out to Dee Hightower). Hopefully, I will see Shana and do some coverage of the Winds next season.

Shana Sumers and me in Chicago, IL-July 2026.

Talking Travel with Nia Gilliam

It took me a while, but I finally landed a full-time pilot. Captain Nia Gilliam isn't just any pilot, either!

As a black woman pilot, Gilliam already beat the odds. She has also attained one of the highest ranks. Her story is a fascinating one. She put it in writing in her recently-released book Cleared for Takeoff, but she shared a bit of it with me in our Talking Travel interview for Global Traveler.

Gilliam was nearby when 9/11 happened. Not only did she have to experience watching it develop, she had to get back into the pilot's seat and continue her job. I can't imagine the flood of emotions that would cause. Gilliam gave me a glimpse into that day, as we both choked back a bit of tears.

Her story is one of determination, passion and focus. The interview was a lot of fun and very informative, but her book is so much more detailed and fascinating.

Cleared fror Takeoff is her first book, but probably not her last. As her son is a pilot now, Gilliam plans on using that as the main topic for her next book. I already put in my request for another interview when that happens.

To see this interview, go to the Global Traveler YouTube channel. Please subscribe when you are there.

Friend Encounters: Matt Hardy and D.J.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I don't know DJ very well, but I see him at a lot of wrestling events and we always chat a bit. Clearly, he has physical challenges, but he never lets that stop him from attending and meeting a bunch of wrestlers. Fortunately, the wrestlers always seem to go above and beyond with pictures and autographs for DJ and it definitely makes him happy.

I don't know what DJ's condition is and it is not my business. He is an inspiration though. When I see his struggles not stopping him from having fun, reality hits. I will never complain about DJ getting more attention or being moved up in line. Any extras he gets, he deserves. 

At a wrestling show a couple months ago, Matt Hardy was the latest wrestler to give DJ a little extra. Hundreds of wrestlers have experienced a Hardy headlock, but none smiled like DJ or anyone who witnessed it.

Despite not knowing him well, it always makes me smile just seeing him at events. He is one of the regulars and always a welcome sight.

Matt Hardy and D.J. in Geneva, IL- June 2026.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #821: Danny Amendola & Shelina Zadorsky

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create digital trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long alphabetical march through all MLB teams.

Born in The Woodlands, Texas, Danny Amendola went undrafted in the NFL after a solid career at Texas Tech. He went on to play 13 seasons with a few teams. He coached for one season with the Las Vegas Raiders. While with the Detroit Lions, Amendola tossed a ceremonial pitch for the Detroit Tigers to merit his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Born in Ontario, Canada, Shelina Zadorsky is a Canadian professional soccer player for Women's Super League club West Ham United and the Canada national team. Zadorsky won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2016 Olympics and won a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 Olympics. I inadvertently made two Celebrity Jersey Cards for Zadorsky, one of them features Tigers mascot Pas.

Jake Omen at Squared Circle Expo 2027

The fine folks at Squared Circle Expo recently announced SCX VII will be held May 21-23. Once tickets go on sale, buy yours quickly if you want the upper tier tickets, because they will sell out within days.

I will be back "On the Beat" all weekend. Another person sure to be there is Jake Omen, the SCX Heavyweight champ.

Debuting in 2005, Omen has built an excellent career. He was trained by Jimmy Yang, Shark Boy, Keith Creme and others along the way. He has won many singles and tag titles during his many years in the ring.

Jake is a funny guy. While wrestling at Rocket Pro, he saw me in the crowd and immediately started poking me. Of course, it was all in good wrestling fun, even if those around me didn't understand. After the show, he approached me and said he hoped I wasn't mad, which I wasn't. I enjoyed the spotlight and Tony and I had a good laugh out of it.

Jake is just one of many wrestlers who will appear at SCX VII. The guest lineup has not been announced yet, but expect big names, legends and more among the 50+ wrestlers.

For more info, go to squaredcirclex.com. Check back here for updates, too.

Jake Omen and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2-26.

Virginia Franks and American Vanity

Last year, my sister Nancy, niece Laura and I saw Burn the Jukebox, a teenage band Laura and I followed for a couple years. It was our first time seeing them and we were impressed. Since then, they changed their name to American Vanity, while also adopting a slightly edgier, harder tone.

When AV announced a Chicago stop on their tour this year, Laura and I bought tickets. The show finally happened last month at Cobra Lounge on Chicago's near west side. The name and sound might be different, but the performance was as good and probably better than the previous one. The band is quite polished for being so young.

Prior to the performance, there was a meet-and-greet. Each band member chatted with all the VIP ticket holders. Although we briefly met the band last year, we got the chance to really talk to them here. Lead singer Virginia Franks was the first to approach us. Virginia has a lot of talent and takes command center stage. She has a great stage presence. In talking with irginia, she came across as very poised, engaging and professional. She has a bright future and we look forward to watching her career develop.

I wrote more about the night on Global Traveler. For more info, go to thisisamericanvanity.com.

Laura, Virginia and me in Chicago, IL-August 2026.

Catching Up with Mikey Wild

As Tony and I entered the POWW show, a familiar face approached us. I hadn't seen this man in a few years and last I heard he was teaching in Thailand. The story of Mikey Wild is an interesting one.

I first met Mikey at POWW about 15 years ago. Mikey was part of an exciting young tag team with CJ Idol. Mikey's story wasn't unusual back then. He was an eager wrestler who put his body through way too much pain for the money. Obviously, he did it for the love of it.

CJ and Mikey eventually mostly moved away from wrestling. CJ is a teacher in the Chicago suburbs. Mikey also did some teaching and coaching in the area, but a few years ago, he announced a move to Thailand. I wasn't close enough to Mikey to know how that all developed, but it was cool to see him helping the youth there.

Mikey returned here a few times since then. I saw him a couple times at various wrestling shows. Then he appeared last month.

It felt great seeing Mikey. He looked fantastic and was in great spirits. You would never know the pain he has from all that wrestling. Mikey needs back surgery. I don't know his insurance situation, but I hope he can get whatever medical help he needs. He truly is a good guy.

Mikey is an example of what young wrestlers often experience. I don't know how or why they do it. They give their bodies at shows often for less than $50 and in front of 50 people. Yet, week after week, they are out there again, absorbing punishment. Sure wrestling is scripted, but being slammed on plywood or a tile floor still hurts. Years of doing such add to chronic pain or injuries.

That's where Mikey is. I hope I see him again, but more importantly, I hope he is able to get whatever treatment he needs.

Mikey Wild and me in Fox Lake, IL-August 2026.

Mike Squires: Record Holder

I have been a fan of former White Sox first baseman Mike Squires since the mid-70s when he was just coming up with the Sox. Mostly a platoon player, Squires did carve out a nice career.

Among other things, he won a Gold Glove in 1981. He played a couple games at third base and catcher, a rarity for a lefty. He also pitched and played a bit in the outfield. H never made an error at any of those other positions.

In 1983, when the Sox won the American League West division, Squires raised the pennant on the Comiskey Park roof. He was the most tenured player at the time.

I thought I knew all of his major accolades, but then I discovered a really interesting nugget. During the 1982-1984 seasons, the Sox had a .669 winning percentage when Squires played. When he did not play, the winning percentage dropped to .145. The .523 percentage split with or without a single player is the highest over a three season span in MLB history. That's pretty impressive.

Tony and I interviewed Squires a few months ago. That interview is at On the Beat with Mike Squires. When we recently saw him again at The National, Squires immediately recognized us an greeted us warmly. The young baseball fan in me is tickled about Squires remembering me. Okay, even the adult in me is a bit giddy. Squires was one of my all time favorites. To talk to him 50 years after first watching him is a bit surreal.

Mike Squires, Tony and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2026.

Voices of the Game - Coach Jackie J

In July, I was invited to cover Voices of the Game, a panel discussion featuring a few women in sports media. One of the voices was Coach Jackie J.

Admittedly not a coach, nor a journalist, Jackie has grown quite a following in just a few short years of being an influencer. A bit of a polarizing figure, Jackie speaks her mind and doesn't hold back. Even at the panel discussion, Jackie spoke out loudly sprinkling in a few expletives while driving home her points.

Notoriously bad at recognizing people, I saw Jackie enter the venue. I gave her a few minutes to get settled before approaching her. She was very warm and engaging. I guess I expected her to be more amped up, but maybe I got a little bit of the person behind the persona. I think Jackie is real with her opinions, but maybe Jackie knows how to separate influencer Jackie from regular Jackie. Maybe she was simply grateful for a fellow media person also being a fan.

I don't always agree with Jackie's takes, but I ive her credit for having solid reasons behind them. As far as influencers go, Jackie does a great job. She works hard at what she does. I applaud all of that.

Heading into the event, I didn't know what to expect from Jackie. Leaving the event, I was very happy to have met her casually and to see her in action on the panel. 

I covered the event more thoroughly at Voices of the Game on Global Traveler. Check back here for more of my WNBA weekend coverage.

 

Coach Jackie J and me in Chicago, IL-July 2026.

Friend Encounters: Kevin Rahm and Troy G.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Troy G. is a media friend, who is a part of the Geary Stein & Stevens Show podcast. Last year, he covered the Big Slick Kansas City Celebrity Softball weekend and met a bunch of stars and athletes.

In 2010, Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis came together with an idea. Fifteen years later, Big Slick is growing bigger and better every year. It has raised more than $21 million for Children's Mercy. This May 30-31, it will add to that total.

Check out BigSlickKC.org for ore info. Also follow Troy on The Geary Stein & Stevens Show.

Troy and Kevin Rahm in Kansas City, MO-May 2024.