Pitcher Nat Lesnicki?

In my previous times in the Loyola Ramblers Home Run Derby, my pitcher always was one of the assistant coaches.

This time, my pitcher was Loyola infielder Nat Lesnicki. Always one of my favorites, Nat joked with me a bit before we took our places. On a side note, in games, each Rambler gets specific cheers from her teammates. Nat's cheer is my favorite. "More Nat, Less Nicki!" It's clever and funny.

The versatile junior from Plainfield has started 129 games in her three seasons, playing 146 total. She has improved with each season. She even added a little pop in her bat this season, belting three homers.

Anyway, Nat tossed ten pitches at me and I hit most solidly. Unfortunately, my production was more suited for a game and not a home run derby. In a game, I would have had doubles. In a derby, I had nothing. lol

Still, it is all good fun. The players are familiar with e from covering the team. They all cheered loudly with each of my swings and I got high-fives walking from the field. 

If that isn't enough, it benefits Cal's Angels, Chicagoland's Leading Pediatric Cancer Foundation. That is reason enough to step to the plate..

Nat Lesnicki and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Loyola Home Run Derby

Every year, I enter the Loyola Ramblers Home Run Derby. Benefitting Cal's Angels, it is a lot of fun, as well as helping a great cause.

Cal's Angels is a pediatric cancer foundation granting wishes, raising pediatric cancer awareness, and funding research to help kids fighting cancer. In 2005, 12-year old Cal Sutter was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Cal lost his battle in 2006, but his memory lives on with Cal's Angels.

This year's Home Run Derby took place after an afternoon doubleheader between Loyola and George Washington University. After winning the first game, Loyola had to come back from a 4-0 deficit by scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh. The game went into extra innings, with Loyola finally winning it in the tenth inning.

It was a long and cold day, with temperatures in the 40s. Still, I was not to be denied.

Loyola infielder Nat Lesnicki was my pitcher. We chatted a bit and took a picture before I approached the plate. This was probably my worst production in any of the derbies. I hit a few line drives, but nothing near a home run in my ten pitches. A tad disappointed, but not really bothered, I headed back to the dugout where a few players and former players cheered for me. Obviously, they were being nice, but that made my day.

I appreciate all the kindness shown to me by Loyola. For more info on the Ramblers, go to loyolaramblers.com. Also, check calsangels.org to learn more about that great charity.

Nat Lesnicki and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Frankie Torres and Adam Bohanon: Two Minnesotans

When I saw Frankie Torres was performing in Chicago, I immediately made plans to finally meet her. I had interviewed her for Global Traveler, but had yet to see her or hear her perform in person.

I knew there was another performer scheduled, but I didn't know who. When we got there, we learned it was Adam Bohanan, a fellow contestant on The Voice as well as another Minnesota musician.

Adam opened and played for about 45 minutes. I can't quite compare him to another musician. I though Jack Johnson, but that's not a great match. He was very good though.

Of course, I already knew Frankie was good, but seeing her in person was really cool. She has a great vibe and really belted out some songs at Cafe Mustache.

It was a fun night meeting these wo Minnesota talents. I hope to see both again.

Follow FrankieTorresMusic and AdamBohananMusic for more info and scheduling on both. I look forward to watching their careers develop.

Frankie, Jodie, Adam and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Friend Encounters: The Blue Meanie and Al Snow

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today I feature two friends, two celebrities and a scene I witnessed. This and many other such encounters happened at the recent Squared Circle Expo VI.

The Blue Meanie (aka Brian Heffron) and Al Snow were two of the hundred wrestling guests at SCX VI. While they did chat a bit and pose for a picture, they spent most of their time at thei booths. At SCX VI, while the wrestlers did interact like this, they spent the majority of their time at their own booths meeting fans. That is one of the best parts of SCX. The wrestlers actually stay at their booths, unlike other conventions.

Through many conventions and interviews, I have become friends with Brian and Al. Both are great guys who made their mark in wrestling. Both are very popular at conventions, because they are engaging. You get much more than a quick autograph or picture with both. Brian is likely to discuss Philadelphia sports. With Al, you never know what you might get. He might prank you. He might fake punch you for a picture. He might be serious. Whatever it is, Al gives you his attention. With Al, you usually see his awesome wife Jessica. I have met both several times and I will always go to them at conventions because they are a lot of fun.

For more info on this great convention, go to squaredcirclex.com. Also, follow both Brian and Al on social media to be entertained.

Brian Heffron and Al Snow in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026

Celebrity Jersey Cards #796: Gloria Estefan & Mavis Staples

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League with two female music legends repping the Chicago Cubs. Baseball teams.

A native of Miami, Florida, Gloria Estefan went on to win eight Grammy awards and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. One of the best-selling musical artists of all-time, Estefan started as lead singer for the Miami Latin Boys, who became the Miami Sound Machine. Married to Emilio, her first and only boyfriend, Estefan's tour bus crashed in 1990. Despite doctors telling her she would never be able to have more children, Estefan made a miraculous comeback, even conceiving a daughter a few years later. Estefan belted the 7th inning stretch song for the Chicago Cubs to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Chicago native Mavis Staples has spent 75 of her 86 years entertaining folks. She rose to fame with the Staple Singers and is the last living member. She has won three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards. Mavis heard the cheers of an SRO crowd at Wrigley Field when she sang the National Anthem and landed on an old school Celebrit Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Tony Ghelfi Topps 1984

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets over the years. It is a concept I borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.

Pitcher Tony Ghelfi was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1st round (14th) of the 1980 MLB January Draft. He made his Major League debut in 1983, starting three games and going 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA. Unfortunately, that would be it for his MLB career. He pitched in the minors for Philadelphia, Cleveland and San Doego through the 1989 season.

Understandably, Topps did not give Ghelfi any card. Although perhaps justified, I couldn;t let that stand. As I set out to fix that omission, I saw Jeff in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group already created one for him. Despite the name, that group has thousands of cards of all types, not just baseball. Jeff is one of the best and busiest creators. Seeing his beautiful work, I simply highlight it, instead of trying to duplicate it.

Finally Meeting Frankie Torres

Last year, I interviewed musician Frankie Torres for Global Traveler. That interview is at Talking Travel with Frankie Torres.

Since then, I have followed Frankie, a former contestant on The Voice, on social media, hoping she would get a gig in Chicago. That performance happened a couple weeks ago.

Frankie appeared at Cafe Mustache on the near northwest side of Chicago. It's a small pub, but perfect for such a show. The opener was Adam Bohanon, a fellow Minnesota musician who was also on The Voice with Frankie.

We arrived and found a table close to the stage. I quickly spotted Frankie, but didn't bug her, figuring she might be in show-mode. There would be plenty of time to meet her later.

After about 15 minutes and about 10 minutes before Bohanon was to take the stage, Frankie came over to us. We chatted for several minutes, before she left to get ready for Bohanon's set.

After Bohanon's set, Frankie took the stage. Sh did a few original songs and some covers. Her take on Janis Joplin's "Bobby McGee" was great. Her original tune, "Losing to the Letters," about dealing with her father's battle with ALS, was beautiful.

After Frankie's set, we met both performers at the merch table. Both were really cool.

I was really impressed with Frankie. It is fun to see her at this stage. At 26, she is just starting her journey. She definitely has the chops. She is positive, hopeful and confident. It was a pleasure meeting and seeing her perform in person. I look forward to seeing where her career goes.

Frankie Torres and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Talking Travel with Dr. Tiffany Brown

April was Autism Acceptance Month (formerly Autism Awareness Month). To learn more about how autism impacts travel, I turned to Dr. Brown, an autism mom, veteran traveler and author.

The author part of her description is one she shares with her son Caleb. Together they are raising awarness and spreading acceptance of autism. It's a beautiful, interesting and informative story they share.

Dr. Brown gave so much information, I couldn't do it justice in a recap. Go to Talking Travel with Dr. Tiffany Brown to hear it all. While you are here, please subscribe to the Global Traveler YouTube channel. 

Really Meeting Notre Dame's Leprechaun

Yesterday, I relayed the story of my first picture with Notre Dame's Leprechaun mascot. I left with the big mystery of whether I got a closer picture with the lass. I am sure everyone was up all night wondering.

Anyone who knows me, knows if it is at all possible, I will get a picture with every mascot I see. While she bounced around the entire game, it would have been a logistical problem to meet her. That problem was solved at the end of the game. As we exited our section, she was at the top of the steps. I certainly didn't miss that opportunity. As you can see, she even gave me the 'fists up" pose.

Notre Dame's Leprechaun and me in Notre Dame, IN-April 2026.

The Notre Dame Leprechaun

As I always do, if there is a mascot on the scene, I do my best to get a picture. Heading to Notre Dame, I knew there was a leprechaun mascot, but I didn't know if it would be at the softball game.

As the game started, eagle-eyed Tony spotted the leprechaun, but we couldn't get to her. Yes, it was a female leprechaun. Unfortunately, we were unable to get to her. Knowing my fascination with mascots, Tony snapped the picture of us "together" when she was reasonably close. I thank him for the effort and I must admit, it is a unique mascot picture to add to my collection.

Notre Dame officially debuted the Leprechaun in 1964. From the 1930s until then, Irish Setters named Clashmore Mike served in the mascot role. Seemingly there are multiple Leprechauns (they are a magical bunch). I was a bit pleasantly surprised to see a female leprechaun, but it made perfect sense for women's softball.

I would have been happy with this picture, but did I get a closer pic with the lass? Check back tomorrow.

The Notre Dame Leprechaun and me in Notre Dame, IN-April 2026.