Cards That Never Were: Mike Torrez Topps 1985

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

Pitcher Mike Torrez was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in late 1964. After making his MLB debut in 1967, Torrez went on to have a solid 18 year MLB career. Pitching for seven teams, he went 185-160 with a 3.96 ERA.

For his efforts, Topps gave Torrez cards from 1965-1984, leaving only a career capper to be made. Gio of When Topps Had Baseballs created a beauty as he always does. It has become a challenge for me to try to beat Gio to creating a missing card. Much more often than not, I do not win that challenge, but I keep trying.

Athletes Unlimited Volleyball: Lianna Sybeldon

As I have mentioned many times, most recently with Athletes Unlimited's Willow Johnson, I am always intrigued by multi-generational sports families, especially multi-sports and even more specifically multi-genders. Lianna Sybeldon fits all of those categories.

Lianna's father Steve was an offensive tackle at North Dakota State before being selected by the New York Jets in the 10th round of the 1979 NFL draft. Steve ended up playing a bit for the CFL British Columbia Lions, but didn't see any regular season NFL action. Steve's wife, Lianna's mom was a professional dancer.

Lianna starred at the University of Washington. She then played internationally in Puerto Rico and Romania. Like most other players, I did not have a chance to watch Lianna prior to the AU season, but I was very impressed with her on and off the court during this season. Of course, I had to ask her about her dad and she joked about not listening to any advice. She was really fun in those sessions, which can be found at On the Beat With Athletes Unlimited Volleyball 2021.

Lianna finished in 11th place in the AU Volleyball season. While Jordan Larson dominated in winning the league championship, positions 2-11 were separated by only 900 points. It was extremely competitive and Lianna was right in the mix.

Go to AUProSports.com for more info on all of the AU sports leagues. I couldn't find much more on Lianna's current life, but I have a feeling she is still connected to sports in some way..

Lianna Sybeldon and me-March 2021.

Knute Rockne Statue

While on a recent trip to watch Notre Dame softball, Tony and I took a self-guided tour of the campus. One goal was to see the Knute Rockne statue.

A bronze sculpture of the legendary coach was unveiled in October 2009. Four of Rockne's grandchildren assisted with the unveiling. Notre Dame alum Jerry McKenna created the sculpture. He also created the sculptures of Frank Leahy, Moose Krause, Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz and the Four Horsemen around the stadium. Rockne played for Notre Dame, graduating in 1914. During his 13 seasons coaching the team, the Fighting Irish won three national titles.He has a lifetime winning percentage of .881, the best in the history of college or professional football. 

Knute Rockne and me in Notre Dame, IN_March 2026.

Talking Travel with Dave Koz

Saxophonist Dave Koz is one of the first celebrities to host a celebrity sea cruise. In fact, debuting in 2004, the Dave Koz & Friends at Sea Cruise might be the first.

With the growing number of such cruises and Koz's coming up in November, I thought it was the perfect time to do a Talking Travel interview with him about cruises.

That interview can be found on the Global Traveler YouTube channel. Watch it and subscribe. Every subscription (it's free) helps build momentum for the Talking Travel series, which allows me to get great guests like Koz.

Like millions of fans, I have enjoyed Koz's music for years, but I didn't know a lt about him. He was so nice and engaging on our interview, I didn't want it to end.

Koz discussed his career, his cruises and much more. He was a great addition to the series and I hope you''ll watch it and feel the same. 

Reliable DIBS

On my April trip to the University of Wisconsin for a Badgers softball game, Bucky Badger escaped my quest. He appeared pre-game, but left around the second inning. I thought I'd have plenty of time to get him when he came near us, but that never happened. How can a mascot appear for 2 innings/

It might be questioned why the mascot would even appear at a regular softball game. If it is appearing though, why not stay the whole game?  Maybe he had another place to go, but then why tease the softball crowd. Okay, I admit, I'm probably the one one who feels this way.

Then there is DIBS. The Demon in a Blue Suit is reliable. If he's at a game, he stays at a game. He even braved frigid temperatures during the Home Run Derby. Then again, maybe he was the warmest in that costume.

While I have been critical of the name (he used to be Billy Blue Demon until a revamping changed his look and name), I still like the actual mascot.

DePaul wasn't always the Blue Demons. They were originally the D-Men. The "Blue" was added to differentiate the college from the prep school which had red letters. First it was the Blue D-Men. Than it morphed into Blue Demons.

DIBS is probably my most frequent mascot selfie. If he is going to make the effort to be at games and stay at games, I am going to appreciate (or annoy) him by asking for selfies.

DIBS and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Friend Encounters: Europa-Park's Ed Euromaus and Sitori

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I could say Europa-Park's mascot met Sitori, but she is too humble for that. She would say Ed Euromaus is the celebrity.

EE is the main mascot of Europa-Park. Debuting as "Kitty" in 1975, he was renamed in 1977. Along with Ed are Edda Euromausi, his companion. Friends include rooster Louis, ibex Bockli and Eurofant Olli. Also around is Snorri, a multi-tentacled creature repping the Rulantica water world.

Loyola University grad and former standout basketball player Sitori moved to Germany to lay pro ball there, along with her husband Parker, a pro volleyball player there.

I followed Sitori throughout her career at Loyola. I enjoy watching all the players progress in life, but Sitori is special. Not only was she great on the court, she was a real joy off court. I interviewed and talked to her several times and she is sweet and engaging. Parker and her are an amazing couple. It's fun watching them start their life together.

I hope to land Sitori for a Global Traveler interview about life in Germany. Until then, I am grateful for all of her consideration over the years.

Ed Euromaus and Sitori in Rust, Germany-2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #798: Ann Meyers & Paige VanZant

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.

Born in San Diego, California, Ann Meyers gew up to be a legendary basketball player. Her list of awards, accolades and achievements is too lengthy to list fully, but she was the first woman to sign a contract and get a tryout with an NBA team, she was the first woman inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame an she earned multiple medals on the international scene, just to name a few. She was married to the-late Don Drysdale and former NBA player Dave Meyers is her brother. Meyers tossed a ceremonial pitch (probably a strike) for the Los Angeles Dodgers o earn her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Oregon native Paige VanZant is a martial artist, bare knuckle boxer, professional wrestler, professional boxer, slap fighter, author, model and more. She also won a special edition of Chopped in 2017 and finished second on Dancing with the Stars in 2016. In 2023, she claimed she made more money from OF than in her entire fighting career, which is highly believable. VanZant appeared on the field at Dodger Stadium to get her Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Jack Aker Topps 1965 & '75

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

Jack Aker was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1959. He made his MLB debut with the A's in 1964. He was drafted by the new Seattle Pilots in the 1968 Expansion Draft, but only played a few games with the team, before being traded to the New York Yankees. Midway through the 1972 season, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, who then released him after the 1973 season. The Atlanta Braves signed him for the 1974 season, but sold him to the New York Mets during the season. Aker retired after finishing the season with the Mets. For his career, Aker pitched in 495 games, going 47-45 with 12 saves and a 3.28 ERA.

Fot his efforts, Aker received cards from Topps from 1966 to 1974. That left out his first and last. When looking to create these cards, I saw two other master beat me to both of them. Lynn of the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group beat me to the 1965 Topps card, while Gio of When Topps Had (Base)Balls site created the 1975 version. They are the best, each with thousands of beautiful creations.

Catching Up with Loyola Alum Jocelyn

At a recent Loyola Ramblers softball game, I spotted a few Loyola alums. Among them was Jocelyn Currie.

Jocelyn was a versatile infielder-outfielder during her four years. She earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors three times. She appeared in 130 games, with 78 starts. As a senior, she posted a career-best .378 average. She is now a Nursing Home Administrator.

I didn't want to bother the ladies in the stands, but at one point Jocelyn and I crossed paths by concessions. She shouted, "Johnny's Beat!" Yes, I know it is Johngy's Beat, not Johnny's Beat, but that's what a lot of folks say. I laughed at that. We hugged and chatted for a few minutes.

It was a quick exchange and probably soon-forgotten by Jocelyn. To me it made my day.

While I covered the team throughout her four years, I hadn't seen her since the 2024 season. Even during her career, I only spoke to her a few times, although I was at many games. 

Having a former player greet me so warmly and appreciate the coverage and support I gave her and her teams was a nice moment. These are the kind of interactions I really love.

Covering these teams allows me to see a lot of great sports. It also introduces me to a lot of great folks, who I never would have known.

I might never see Jocelyn again. That's okay. It's moments like these that make me think in some small way I am doing something positive for young athletes.

Jocelyn and me in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Finally Meeting Big Mama

About five years ago, I was helping Mad Man Pondo promote his Girl Fight Wrestling events. One of the tough women in that company was Big Mama. My interview with her is at On the Beat with Big Mama.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Big Mama is otherwise known as Tasia. After making her debut in 2009, Tasia has wrestled for several companies. She held the NWA World Women's Television tile and the NWA Women's Tag title (with Kenzie Paige). 

I followed her career since that interview, but I never met her. Once again, Squared Circle Expo changed that.

While roaming the rooms before SCX actually started, I saw a sign for Big Mama! Slightly, but pleasantly, surprised, I made note to circle back and finally meet her once the show started.

Again, to my pleasant surprise, Big Mama recognized me as I approached her table. A warm hug was followed by a nice chat. Neither of us expected to see the other, yet there we were.

Tasia was as nice as she had been as we set up the interview years ago.  With no disrespect to Tasia, there were bigger names at SCX, but seeing her was one of my top moments.

Look for Tasia on social media (bigbadmama06 on IG). Also, check squaredcircex.com for info on that great show.

Tasia Bachman and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.