Cards That Never Were: Mike Squires Oddities

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual cards for players missed in various sets over the years. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of them. You can find more of my creations and a lot of other great creations (and not just baseball cards) in the Custom Baseball Cards group on Facebook.
I have written about Mike Squires and have featured card creations featuring him many times. The former first baseman was my favorite player during his fine career. Squires played for the Whote Sox in 1975 and '77-85. He won the Gold Glove in 1981.
The versatile Squires became the first left-handed catcher in many years, when he appeared behind the plate for two games in 1980. I have been searching for a decent picture of him catching, but have come up empty. I recently saw this picture and, while it is not a real picture of him catching, it is close enough to make a 1981 Topps variation card for Squires

While we are looking at variations, Lynn from the aforementioned FB group began posting baseball players featured on 1985 Topps football cards. I requested a Squires version and Lynn complied very quickly. The '85 football cards are possibly my favorite set. Now my favorite player is featured on my favorite set from another sport.

Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You Baylee Cosgrove

Baylee Cosgrove is another departing college softball player. Baylee leaves DePaul after an excellent career.

In four seasons, Baylee played 178 games, hitting .255 with 10 HRs, 75 RBIs and 60 runs scored. She hit .320 while starting every game as a senior. Prior to DePaul, Baylee starred in four sports in high school: Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.

As always, a new group of rookies will replace the departing players. It's always bittersweet. I love seeing the newbies come in and grow with the team, but I am always a bit sad to see players leave.

I am lucky to know these young ladies for their time at school. It seems I somehow have at least one special memory of each player. Baylee was always one of the happiest players. I probably have more pics with her than other players during her time and she never complained. LOL

Wherever she goes, I am sure Baylee will be a success. As he embarks on that jjourney, I wish her good luck and I thank her for fun memories.

For more info on DePaul sports, go to DePaulBlueDemons.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

 Baylee Cosgrove and in in Chicago, IL-April 2025.

Erik Donner and Me

Yesterday I featured Ral Donner, Jr. Today, I put the spotlight on his brother Erik.

Of course, when I learned of Ral Jr. performing in the area, I also heard about brother Erik, again through Paul Myers. Son after that, I had the pleasure of seeing Erik perform.

Erik definitely has shades of his dad's voice, but he is a bit more of a rocker than Ral or Ral Jr. Each has a unique voice, but I definitely see the connection.

One of the real highlights was seeing Erik perform with Ral Jr. Again, this was a surreal moment.

Ral Jr. and Erik are two very talented musicians. They mostly perform separately around the Chicago area and each is great on his own, but together they are really special.

Like yesterday with Ral, the picture below is from the vow renewal of Paul and Lori Myers. Ral and Erik provided festive music throughout the day. 

Go to erikdonner.com for more info on Erik. Also, follow him on social media and look for his shows if you are in the Chicago area.

Erik Donner and me in Franklin Park, IL-July 2025.

Ral Donner Jr. and Me

The picture below is a bit surreal and a bit odd. At the wedding renewal of Paul and Lori Myers, Joey Roth conducted the ceremony, Ral Donner gave away the bride and I was a groomsman. I have known both Ral and Joey for about five years and both because of Paul.

It's a bit surreal in that Ral's father, Ral Sr. was a singer in the 60s amd 70s. With a voice similar to Elvis, Ral Sr. supplied that voice for an Elvis movie in the 70s. I happened to be a big fan of Ral Sr., when I saw Paul mention Ral Jr. on social media. I had to meet the man and through Paul, it happened.

Since then, I have seen Ral Jr. perform many times. He never disappoints. He is quite capable of covering his dad's songs, as well as others from the 50s through present day music. The guy is massively talented and very engaging.

Back as a kid, when I heard Ral Sr. on Magic104 oldies station, I never figured I would meet and become friends with his son. There I am though.

Go to raldonnerjr.com for more info on Ral. Also, follow him on social media and go to one of his shows, if you are in the Chicago area.

Ral Donner, Joey Roth and me in Franklin Park, IL-July 2025.

Appreciating Michael Gross

I have met actor Michael Gross several times. Each time, it seems like I come back with an interesting tidbit.

The first time I met Gross was at Motor City Comic Con. I was in the men's room using the urinal, when Gross went to the next one. There's always a bit of discomfort at urinals. I smiled and said I planned to meet him, but I would wait to do so at his table later. He got a big laugh out of that.

The second time I met Gross was also at Motor City Comic Con. As we talked, I asked about his sister Mary. He paused for a second and as he began to speak, he was choked up a bit. He thanked me for asking about her and gave me a quick update. He was genuinely touched that I asked.

One other meeting was at the ill-fated ReWind Con. This was in 2016 and my selfie game was not good. As I looked for help, Gross took my camera and snapped this selfie. He commented he had gotten good at it through these such situations.

Gross has a reputation for being incredibly nice. He is an excellent actor, as well. While his work on Family Ties was great, he showed his versatility in many other perhaps less-known roles. 

Michael Gross and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Friend Encounters: One Man Gang, Slick and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Now there is the makings of a great wrestling faction. Akeem (formerly known as The One Man Gang), my buddy John D. and "The Doctor of Style" Slick maybe just need one more to round out the group.

At one point, Akeem was The One Man Gang, a violent big man from Chicago. This was such a great character. Unfortunately, the WWE in the 80s loved cartoony characters. OMG was said to have discovered his roots. It was neither funny nor politically correct. It wasn't even good wrestling.

Nobody wanted to see this brute as Akeem. OMG could have been so much bigger and better in a feud with Hulk Hogan. This is not a knock at all on George Gray, the man who portrayed both. He is a nice guy, capable wrestler and obviously a company man. He did his best to make it work.

While as Akeem, he was under the onscreen management of Slick. Slick himself probably wasn't the most politically correct character either. Wrestling is always behind the times on that stuff. Like Gray, Slick did his best with the gimmick and actually made it likable.

As for John, he's himself. Like the late Chris Candido, no gimmick needed. He's a nice guy who I always enjoy seeing at wrestling conventions. John gets around. He probably meets more celebs than I do. 

Back to the idea of a faction. OMG and Dean are the big tag team, like the Natural Disaters. They just need a singles champion to round out the group.

One Man Gang, John and Slick in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #763 Kim Pegula & Terry Pegula

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. As I'm done with the alphabetical march through MLB, I'll turn to football for today.

Born in Pennsylvania, billionaire Terry Pegula grew his fortune investing in fracking. Pegula owns the Buffalo Sabres (NHL), Buffalo Bandits (Lacrosse), Rochester Americans (minor league hockey) and the Buffalo Bills. Some folks collect sports trading cards. Pegula collects sports teams.

Pegula's wife Kim was born n South Korea, but eventually adopted by an American couple. She reportedly has minimal knowledge of any part of he life in South Korea, other than her birthdate, which came from a second-hand account of it.

Both are wearing #1 on their Celebrity Jersey Cards. No player wearing that number has spent more than one season with the Bills and only five players overall have worn it.

Cards That Never Were: Phil Gagliano Topps 1975

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

Infielder Phil Gagliano signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and began playing in their minor league sytem in 1960. Making his MLB debut in 1963, Gagliano returned to the minors for part of 1964, before returning to the majors for good. He stayed with the Cardinals until being traded to the Chicago Cubs early in the 1970 season. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox after the 1970 season and then to the Cincinnati Reds before the 1973 season. All told, he played  702 games over parts of 12 seasons. He had 336 hits for a .238 average with 14 homers, 159 RBIs and 150 runs scored. Also, his brother Ralph played several years in the Cleveland Indians system, making it to the majors in 1965.

For his efforts, Gagliano appeared on Topps cards from 1964-1974. That left a 1975 career capper missing.

When I was looking for pictures to make this card, once again, I discovered Gio at When Topps Had (Base)Balls! had already done it. Gio has created hundreds of missing cards and also some redo cards. is work is amazing. Kn owing I couldn't do it any better, I present Gio's version.

Appreciating Amy Dumas

Amy Dumas began her wrestling career in Mexico in 1998. She gained fame in ECW and much more fame in the WWE as Lita.

I have met Amy several times, including a couple memorable times with her bestie and former opponent Trish Stratus. Amy is always great at conventions.

A neck injury derailed her career. She mostly has been sporadically appearing since 2007. Now 50, she shows slight signs of slowing down in the ring, but she is still capable of excellent matches. More importantly, she is better at the actual story telling than most of today's stars. It's a lost art at times.

Amy is doing it right these days. When she makes appearances in wrestling, it means something. She doesn't overstay the visit either.

Despite being most retired for 15+ years, Amy is still hugely popular at conventions. Part of that reason is how nice and engaging she is. Like in wrestling, Amy knows how to attract the audience. I always look forward to seeing her and I hope I do again in 2026.

Amy Dumas and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

Cards That Never Were: Garry Maddox Topps 1987

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

Outfielder Garry Maddox was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round of the 1968 MLB January Draft. After debuting for the Giants in 1972, Maddox would go on to an outstanding career lasting 15 seasons. Maddox spent parts of the first four seasons with the Giants, before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies where his career really blossomed. In total, he played in 1,749 games, with a .285 batting average, 117 HRs, 754 RBIs and 777 runs scored.

For his efforts, Topps gave Maddox cards in every year 1973-1986. This left a 1987 Career Capper missing. As sometimes happens, when I set out to create this card, I saw Gio at When Topps had Baseballs already created one. Gio is a master, haing made thousands of cards of all sorts on his site. If you're a card collector or a sports fan, you should check his site. Not needing to attempt to duplicate his work, I feature another of his awesome creations.