Steve Horton at Fan Expo 2025

Fan Expo returns to Chicago August 14-16. As usual, I will be "On the Beat" meeting celebrities and creators of all sorts.

Since acquiring Wizard World several years ago, Fan Expo has done a great job. Most attendees wouldn't even know any difference.

One of the great parts of Fan Expo is the guest lineup. Where else could I meet a New York Times bestselling comic book writer this easily? I did just that last year when I met Steve Horton.

A graduate of Purdue University, Horton is a graphic novelist who has done work for Image Comics, IDW, Dark Horse Comics and more. He has written for various comics, including Amala's Blade: Spirits of Naamaron with Michael Dialynas and Satellite Falling with Stephen Thompson, among his other work.

In 2020, Horton authored Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns, and Moonage Daydreams with Michael Allred and Laura Allred. The graphic novel won two Eisner Awards in 2021 and is a must for all Bowie fans.

The guest list for this year  has started to be announced. Among the big names are John Carpenter, Mr. T., PJ Soles, Ron Perlman and many others. For more info and scheduling, go to fanexpohq.com.

Steve Horton and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2025.

Friend Encounters: Jon Patricof and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I continue with an Athletes Unlimited theme by featuring the man at the top.

New York born Jon Patricof graduated from Harvard. He joined Tribeca Enterprises in 2005 as Chief Operating Officer. In 2016, he became the third president of New York City FC. Along with Jonathan Soros, Patricof co-founded Athletes Unlimited in 2020.

AU was originally comprised of four women's sports leagues, including softball, Volleyball, Lacrosse and basketball, all played using fantasy league-type rules and scoring. Lacrosse folded after a few years. Softball expanded to a standard league in 2025. This year, the AU Softball League added two new teams, while assigning city alliances. Ths, the Chicago Bandits were reborn.

As I have been doing, today I feature Tony, another of the old guard. Tony actually goes farther back with the team than I do. Although we aren't certain, we might have first met at a Bandits game in 2014. We at least know we started chatting more at those games.

Last year, the league played all games in Rosemont. Tony met Patricof at one of the games in Rosemont last year. In a rarity, I spotted Patricof first. Eagle eyes Tony usually is the spotter.

Either way, we chatted briefly with Patricof. He is always very busy when he is here. Catching him even for a quick picture is a challenge, but Tony and I are dedicated pros at this. lol

For more info on the league, go to auprosports.com. Check back here for my coverage.

Jon Patricof and Tony in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #808: Ralph Northam & James Winnefeld Jr.

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. We continue our season-long romp through every MLB team. This is as political as I get.

Virginia native Ralph Northam was the 73rd Governor of Virginia. Out of politics, he is currently a neurologist, with special interest in epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. Northam threw a ceremonial pitch to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card. Because his "pro" career started when the Expos were still active, I made old school and current team designations.

James "Sandy" Winnefeld was born in California and went on to serve this country for 35+ years. A retired United States Navy Admiral, Winnefeld lost a son to opiod addiction, prompting his family to launch SafeProject.us with a goal of saving others from that fate. Winnefeld got his Celebrity Jersey Card and what looks like a hit in a charity game. Winnefeld also gets double cards for the old and new.

A Yeti?

Wrestling has always been full of colorful characters. Today, it is a bit less character-driven, but occasionally a real gem pops up. Such is the case with the Yeti at Brew City Wrestling in Wisconsin. 

Cartoon characters have been replaced by "reality" wrestlers. While current wrestlers still have gimmicks and wrestling names, gone are the days of the plumber wrestler or the hockey player wrestler. Fans want more reality in wrestling (which seems a bit of a contradiction).

The Yeti has turned back that clock though. Somehow he makes it all seem possible. He stays in character and doesn't go over the top with it. He is also a solid wrestler in the ring.

I don't think wrestling will ever go back to the days of wrestling spacemen, but there is room for the occasional Yeti or other such character. I applaud the man behind this gimmick for making it work.

Yeti and me in Waukesha, WI-June 2024.

Kylie Rae at SCX VI

Squared Circle Expo VI was about three months ago. That means SCX VII is about 9 months away and I can't wait.

In addition to many wrestling legends, SCX promoters always have several current wrestlers in the guest lineup. To my surprise, Kylie Rae was one of the current wrestlers at SCX VI.

While Kylie certainly is one of the best independent wrestlers, she was about 8.75 months pregnant at the time of the convention. Through social media, Kylie kept fans updated on her status. Barring the slightly early arrival of her little one, she firmly stated she would be there and she was.

Kylie has long been a favorite of mine. My pal Tony firmly agrees. In fact, we once drove to Milwaukee just to see her wrestle.

With one little one at home and this one on the way, we didn't know if Kylie would wrestle again or even do such appearances. That made it essential to meet her again there in what might be the last time we see her in a wrestling environment. I always say, never to miss such an opportunity.

Kylie was her usual fun self. She especially lit up when she saw my shirt.

I really hope Kylie resumes her career, but with two little ones now, priorities might have shifted for her. Whatever she chooses, I simply wish her happiness. It's been great seeing her in person and I hope to see her again.

For more info on SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. Also, check here for my updates.

 Kylie Rae and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.

Celebrity Jersey Cards Special Edition #807: WWE FIFA Rhea Ripley & Rey Mysterio

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. With the World Cup starting today, I produced some Special Edition WWE FIFA Celebrity Jersey Cards.

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Demi Bennet rose to fame as Rhea Ripley in the WWE. She made her pro wrestling debut when she was only 16 and joined the WWE four years later. She's floated around the main event scene for many years, winning titles as a singles and tagteam wrestler. Ripley is married to fellow wrestler Buddy Matthews.

At 5'6" and 175 pounds, it seemed unlikely Óscar Gutiérrez would find fame in the big leagues of wrestler. Rey Mysterio surpassed all expectations. Not only is he a legendary luchador, he has been a Hall of Fame performer in the WWE. Coincidentally, his son Dom, although much bigger, didn't seem to have much of a future, but had really developed since debuting.

Chris Zorich and Softball

Chris Zorich grew up near me on the far south side of Chicago. He was an only child of African American and Croatian descent raised by his mother. After attending Chicago Vocational High School he went on to star at the University of Notre Dame. 

The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the 1991 draft. He played with the Bears from 1991-97, although he split the last season with the Washington Redskins. He went on to earn his law degree. Zorich has been very active in his community.

I met Zorich a few times, but this time, Tony and I had a chance to chat a bit more with him. Our Notre Dame softball shirts sparked a conversation. Zorich was quite a fan of college softball. He mentioned watching Oklahoma years ago and when Tony mentioned Keilani Ricketts, Zorich lit up. He remembered her. I asked about him playing 16 inch, a Chicago favorite. He said he only played that for fun and not in a real organized fashion. I would bet, especially in his prime, he could slug a ball!

At 57, Zorich till looks in great shape. His forearms and chest are quite impressive. When he put his arms on our shoulders, I felt like a kid next to him.

Zorich has been one of my favorite Bears for his heart and play. He's a great guy and is on my list of interview wants.

Tony, Chris Zorich and me in Schaumburg, IL-May 2026.

 

Talking Travel with Patricia Kara

Actress and tv host Patricia Kara returned to Global Traveler for her second Talking Travel interview. As she stated in our first interview, travel is her favorite subject.

Perhaps best known for her role as briefcase #9 model on television's Deal Or No Deal, Kara wrote "Dream On...Now Deliver" (notice the DOND acronym connection) about the entertainment business. On the surface it is a guide for making it and staying in show business, but there are plenty of other life lessons in the book.

On September 9 (notice the 9 connection), Kara will release "Open the Case," her book about her time on the popular game show. She promises it will be full of great pictures and stories. One story not in the book is the obstacles she overcame to finish it. She temporarily lost much of the content due to a computer issue. Fortunately, all was saved, but the release was delayed. Ever the positive and creative person, Kara decided 9/9 would be the perfect date to release the book.

It's always fun talking to Kara. Just like her live events, it's like being with an old friend.

You can watch the interview on the GT YouTube channel. I hope you'll enjoy it and subscribe. More subs, mean more fun content.

Friend Encounters: Jennie Finch and Kevin

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

The Bandits are back! I continue celebrating the return of pro softball to Chicago.

Jennie Finch is one of the greatest softball players of all time. She starred at the University of Arizona, won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and the silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics and pitched for the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch from 2005 to 2010.

Unfortunately, her time with the Bandits ended before I started covering the team. Still, I got to know Jennie from her many visits back. I also had the pleasure of an interview with her on one of those visits. Jennie is like softball royalty every time she is here.

It seems like Jennie might be here more often this summer. The Bandits are back and Jennie is working with the league.

Someone who was here a long time, but is gone now, is super fan Kevin. Despite not returning lately, Kevin is still part of the old guard, a group of loyalists called "old crusties." Kevn moved on to calmer pastures in the Dakotas. He is missed, but we exchange fun messages regularly.

Kevin got a picture with Jennie during one of her visits. I might have taken this photo because I remember us hanging out in the area taking pictures.

If Jennie returns this year, chance are I will get another photo with her. I'll be one of hundreds to do so, but Jennie never complains. She is a real gem.

For more info on AU, go to auprosports.com. For more info on Jennie, go to jenniefinch.com.

Jennie and Kevin in Roseomont, IL-August 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #806: Kim Cljisters & Gigi Fernandez

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. We continue our season-long romp through every MLB team.

Kim Cljisters is a Belgian former professional tennis player. She took a few absences due to injuries and other reasons, but always came back strong. At one point, she was ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for 20 weeks, and as the world No. 1 in women's doubles for 4 weeks. Cljisters earned a Celebrity Jersey Card from her ceremonial pitch for the New York Mets. Probably more accurately, she got it from her swings in batting practice. I'm willing to bet she did pretty good there, too.

Beatriz "Gigi" Fernández is a Puerto Rican former professional tennis player. Fernández reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 1991 and '93-95 and a career-high singles ranking of world No. 17 in 1991. In 1999, she was named Puerto Rico's "Female Athlete of the Century." Her cousin is José Ferrer, a Puerto Rican actor, Oscar Winner and director. Fernandez tossed a ceremonial pitch for the Mets to gain her Celebrity Jersey Card.