Dave and Kal Herro at Fan Expo

Fan Expo returns to Chicago (Rosemont) August 15-17. As always, I will be "On the Beat" all weekend.

Last year, a special attraction was a preview of The Herro's Journey, the documentary about Wisconsin wrestling promoter David Herro. It's a story about a man and his son, with wrestling as the backdrop, but you don't have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy it.

David and his son Kal were there, as were director Danny Reyes and producer David Vox Mullen. Also there were many friends I met through wrestling, like Sandra. The preview was followed by a Q&A. The crowd applauded all throughout the short preview and after the event ended. Despite it being only a sneak look, it still triggered emotions and chills as we saw David in a new light.

After the event, we chatted in several different groups. We were all excited about seeing it come to fruition, which it recently did. I interviewed Daid a few weeks ago about the whole process.

To watch o\my interview with David, go to On the Beat with David Herro. For more info on FanExpo go to fanexpohq.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Kal, David, Sandra and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2024.

Meet Mr. Robinson

Kansas Robinson is a star player for the Northwestern Wildcats. Her father Van is a star fan of the Wildcats.

A few times I have had the pleasure of sitting right by Robinson. Even when I am not near him, I still know he's there. Robinson is loud and proud of his girl and the whole team. Let me be clear though, it is all in the best way. You can't help but feel his passion and be brought into it.

When I talked to Kansas this season, I mentioned I thought her father was awesome. She smiled and said "that's dad." I could tell she was equally proud of her dad. It really is nice to see that relationship.

Next season, when Kansas finishes her Northwestern career, I can't imagine how hyped both will be on Senior Day. They might steal the show.

For more info on the Cats, go to nusports.com. For more on Mr. Robinson, well...you just have to come to a game.

Van Robinson and me in Evanston, IL-April 2025.

Friend Encounters: Ken Anderson and Jim

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

This is entitled Misterrrrrrrr Anderson and Misterrrrrrrr Strong. Actually, with his recent workout regimen, Jim should be called Misterrrr Stronger!

Perhaps inspired by his wrestling friend Ken Anderson, my pal Jim has been working out big time. Results are starting to show, as seen in this picture. Results aren't easy for old guys like Jim and me. At least he is trying. 

Anderson has had an interesting career. A while ago, he was involved in big storylines in the WWE. He seemed to have a bright future there, but it didn't work out. He went on to have an excellent run in Impact Wrestling and remains a presence in the world of wrestling. He's a funnyguy, along with being a solid wrestler.

Jim is a longtime wrestling fan and photographer. Why it took so long for the workouts to come his way is unknown, but he dove into it big time in recent months.

Striking the double biceps pose, these two could be a tag team. Anderstrong?

Ken Anderson and Jim in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards: #747 Kate Ledecky & Helen Maroulis

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

Born in Washington, D.C. Katie Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history and the most decorated American woman in Olympic history, with a total of 14 Olympic medals, including nine golds. A Stanford grad, Ledecky is still active and adding to her numerous records. It is cool to see a native DC'er toss a first pitch for the Nats.. That deserves a Celebrity Jersey Card.

A native of Rockville, Maryland, Helen Maroulis grew up to be a champion amateur wrestler. A holder of many records and medals, Maroulis she is the first American to win a gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling at the Olympics. Maroulis showed a power move in scooping up one of the Presidential mascots at a Nationals game. That feat of strength earned her a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Cards That Never Were: Nardi Contreras Topps 1981

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 Nardi Contreras was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 1969 amateur draft and was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1972 minor league draft. He was released by the Mets, signed and released by the Phillies and signed by the Chicago White Sox before he debuted in 1980. Unfortunately, his entire MLB would consist of pitching eight games in relief, compiling a 5.93 ERA. After two more seasons in the minors, he retired at the end of the 1982 season and eventually became a pitching coach.

For his efforts, Topps did not give Contreras a card, but Jeff of the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group made a great one. Jeff is a key contributor to that group, which is not only baseball cards, despite its name. Not needing to duplicate his efforts, when he did it so well already, I simply highlight Jeff's card instead of making my own.

Pinfalls: WWE Night of Champions

WWE Night of Champions is tonight. My The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast partner Tommy Elese and I analyze the card and make our predictions.

Check the video at Pinfalls: WWE Night of Champions. Make your picks and see how you do against us.

"Doctor D" Joins the Jay Leno Club

At the SICW FanFest in May, retired pro wrestler David Schultz joined the Jay Leno Club when he asked if anyone ever told me I resemble Leno. Yes, Mr. Schultz, many, many times.

After debuting in 1974, Schultz made his way to the AWA and WWF, where he made his mark in pro wrestling. He later became a bounty hunter, where he gained more notoriety.mHe certainly had a colorful career, befitting his colorful nature.

At the FanFest, Tony and I chatted a bit with him. Admittedly, Tony knew more about Dr. D. and purchased his book. When I asked for a picture with him, Schultz didn't want to charge me, a rariity in the meet-and-greet industry. As we were leaving, Schultz stopped me and asked the famous question, thus joining the club.

This was a rare public appearance by a great character in wrestling, whose career was relatively short (around 15 years). Schultz joined about 30 other interesting wrestling legends at the FanFest and we enjoyed meeting all of them.

We definitely plan on returning next year for FanFest 4. Until then, check SICW.org for other fun stuff and info on next year's event.

 David Schultz and me in St. Louis, MO-May 2025.

Statues: Ted Simmons

When Tony and I made plans to attend SICW FanFest in St. Louis, we decided to arrive early to do some sight-seeing. The statues at Busch Stadium were a must on my list and Ted Simmons was my most wanted.

Unveiled in July 2021, the Ted Simmons statue stands among other legendary St. Louis Cardinals. Made of bronze, Simba is shown batting. The subject of the 12th statue at Busch Stadium, Simmons also had his number 23 retired by the club. He was also elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

When Simmons retired in 1988, he had more hits than any other catcher in MLB history. From 1971-80, he averaged 17 HRs, 90 RBIs and a .301 batting average. I would happily take that even now in the offensive era. He also led the nL in runners caught attempting steals.

Simmons was always one of my favorites. Several years back, I trekked about 100 miles on an early Saturday morning to meet him in a small baseball card shop in Wisconsin. In St. Louis for the weekend, there was no way I was missing meeting this Simmons.

Ted Simmons and me in St. Louis, MO-May 2025.

Mascot Spotlight: Marquette's Golden Eagle

As I previously wrote, Marquette's Golden Eagle mascot is named Iggy. Although Marquette had a long history of various mascots, Iggy the Golden Eagle seems to be the best one. I wonder why it took so long to officially name him, but better late than never and I do love the name.

Marquette was one of the first institutions to change their nickname to be politically correct. That term sometimes has bad connotations in itself. Politically correct isn't a bad thing. I admit, sometimes I do think political correctness goes too far. In this case, with Willie Wampum as a previous mascot, Marquette did the right thing.

Is it more enjoyable to have a stereotypical Native Indian as a mascot, instead of a big golden eagle? Isn't the point of a mascot to engage people and to get all together? On a more basic level, isn't a mascot's job to have fun with fans? It's not about what the mascot is, but what it does.

Clinging to history for history's sake is silly. We didn't have television years ago. Does that mean we shouldn't watch games on tv because we never did?

I don't know where to draw the best line though. Political correctness can get out of hand with the cancel culture. In this case, Marquette made the change years ago and nobody misses the offensive mascot of years ago.

Go to GoMarquette.com for more info on the Golden Eagles. Check back here for recurring fun with mascots.

Marquette Golden Eagle and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

Friend Encounters: Dennis and Jack Morris

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

My buddy Dennis is one of my convention pals. I never see Dennis away from conventions, but we always catch up a bit at those events. 

Dennis ventures out to some conventions I don't attend. One such is the Sports Convention in Rosemont. While it is  a great convention, which bringsin a lot of famous athletes, I find it too crowded. That's a great thing for them. It's just not for me.

Dennis, however, braves the crowd and scores a lot of athletes. One such athlete recently was Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Morris. Pitching for four teams over his 18 years career, Morris went 254-186. He was a three-time World Series champ, a World Series MVP, a five-time All-Star and he also pitched a no-hitter.

I haven't met Morris yet. Dennis has that one on me. I did meet him in the pressbox at Target Field, but I did not ask for a picture, because it was my first time there and I wasn't going to risk rocking the boat.

Dennis and Jack Morris in Rosemont, IL-March 2025.