Friend Encounters: Kevin Rahm and Troy G.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Troy G. is a media friend, who is a part of the Geary Stein & Stevens Show podcast. Last year, he covered the Big Slick Kansas City Celebrity Softball weekend and met a bunch of stars and athletes.

In 2010, Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis came together with an idea. Fifteen years later, Big Slick is growing bigger and better every year. It has raised more than $21 million for Children's Mercy. This May 30-31, it will add to that total.

Check out BigSlickKC.org for ore info. Also follow Troy on The Geary Stein & Stevens Show.

Troy and Kevin Rahm in Kansas City, MO-May 2024.

Friend Encounters: Maud-Aimee Leblanc and Jim

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I haven't featured too many golfers here over the years. My buddy Jim is about to change that after caddying at a tournament in Oregon.

One of the players he met is Maud-Aimee Leblanc. Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, she started playing in golf tournaments at age 9. She was a member of the Canadian National Team for six years. While attending Purdue University, she earned Freshman of the Year honors. Late last year, LeBlanc secured her card for the 2026 LPGA Tour at Q-Series.

My buddy Jim, on the other hand, is a duffer on the course. Clearly, he is better than me, as I have golfed four times in my life (three times too many). Baseball was Jim's first sport though. Caddying is just one of his leisure activities now that he is retired.

Some might say Jim saw an opportunity to appear "On the Beat" by taking pictures with golfers. I cannot rule out that possibility. As you will see in the next several months, Jim met several other golfers, too.

Jim and Maud-Aimee Leblanc in Portland, OR-August 2026.

Friend Encounters: Tiffany and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Tiffany rose to fame as a teenage singer in the late 1980s. I jumped on the bandwagon and started following her career. By 2000, Tiffany-mania died down a bit, but I was still a fan. Her Color of Silence album is my favorite among her albums. She shed her teeny-bopper, bubble gum songs in favor of deeper songs, without losing any of her energy. I still rank that album as a great one, as I told her in my Talking Travel interview with her on Global Traveler.

My buddy John met Tiffany at a meet-and-greet at her performance at the Arcada Theater in St. Cahrles, Illinois. It is a beautiful intimate venue. Tiffany's meet-and-greet was one of the best. I know, because I was also there, otherwise I would have been quite envious.

I have met Tiffany a few times and she has been great every time, as were her shows. She is much more than an 80s nostalgia act.

John is a regular at the Arcada or its sister venues. He has met quite a few musicians I would have liked to meet. At least I matched him with Tiffany.

For more on Tiffany, go to tiffanymusic.com. John doesn't have a site, but with all of his music encounters, he would have plenty of material.

Tiffany and John in St. Charles, IL-October 2025.

Friend Encounters: Joan Osborne and Chris

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

My pal Chris has been featured several times with softball players. A long time supporter of the old Chicago Bandits, Chris was a constant presence at the games, usually taking pictures or supplying more cowbell. When Athletes Unlimited debuted, Chris was back at it, but now he is really happy his Bandits are back, even if it is a different version.

Music is his other passion. If he isn't at a softball game, he is probably at some music venue. I believe he once told me he kept a record of all of his concerts and it numbered more than 1,000. One interesting aspect is his music tastes. He has seen an amazing variety of musicians.

One such musician was Joan Osborne. Perhaps best known for "One of Us," Osborne has performed for more than 40 years. She has been nominated for several Grammy awards and "One of Us" was also nominated for Song of the Year, but that nomination goes to the song writer. Chris saw Osborne at City Winery, a great spot and one of his favorites for a night of music.

For more info on Osborne, go to joanosborne.com. For more info on Chris, go to a Badits game next season or catch him at a concert. Bring a cowbell though, to join the fun.

Chris and Joan Osborne in Chicago, IL-May 2019,

Friend Encounters: Kal Herro and David Vox Mullen

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today is one of those two-fers. It features two celebrities and two friends of mine. Of course, Kal Herro and David Vox Mullen would humbly reject the celebrity label. Hopefully, they wouldn't reject my friend assertation.

I have known Kal for most of his life. I have attended wrestling shows promoted by his father David for at least 15 years. I have seen Kal grow from a toddler around the ring to a legit up and coming wrestling star. He has already held a few titles, including the Oho Valley Wrestling Heavyweight championship. He has the looks and all-around ring skills to go far in wrestling. Even better, he has the mindset to remain humble. He really is a great youg man.

I haven't known Vox as long, but I have watched his career progress a bitt, too. I met him as a comedian many years ago. Since then, he has gotten involved in wrestling at OVW, created an act with wrestler Al Snow and was a huge part of a documentary on David Herro (a great doc, by the way).

That doc was the setting for the picture below. Of course, Kal and Vox probably have dozens of pictures together, some of which I have even managed to take. The Wisconsin premiere of The Herro's Journey was an awesome night. Friends and family joined Kal, Vox, David and all others involved for a screening. It was a fantastic documentary about a great father-son relationship, with wrestling as the backdrop. You do not need to like wrestling to enjoy this film. Just seeing the bond between father and son was enough to bring a tear to my eyes.

I am proud to know Kal and Vox. You will not meet two finer humans. You will not find more entertaining folks either.

Kal and Vox in West Bend, WI-June 2025.

Friend Encounters: DIBS and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I freely admit I am fascinated by mascots. If there is a mascot in my vicinity, I am going to try to get a picture and I usually succeed.

My buddy Tony is different though. Or maybe he isn't. 

Tony jabs me about my obsession with the furry creatures, yet one of his all-time favorite pictures is one I took of him with Squeeze, mascot of the Chicago Dogs minor league baseball team. That's not an exaggeration. If you ever see him, just ask and he will admit it.

Even recently at a DePaul softball game, he saw DePaul mascot DIBS before I did. Pointing him out, he knew I would get a picture with him and I did. Then, Tony asked for one. Aha! Tony doesn't have a website nor a blog. He isn't using this for content. He just wanted a picture with DIBS. I think he is warming up to the costumed critters.

The other funny part is before we started doing a lot of stuff together, Tony probably wouldn't have asked for a picture. He's not timid, but he wasn't very bold in that respect. Now however, I have witnessed Tony asking for pictures of folks on several occasions before I could ask.

So this has been the evolution of Tony. There's also one more part. In the last year or so, he has dropped more than 80 pounds. Some might say I run him ragged, but I can't take credit for this. He did it by himself.

DIBS and Tony in Chicago, IL-April 2026.

Friend Encounters: Frankie Torres and Jonathan

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I met Jonathan many years ago at a Chicago Bandits game. A sports fan in general, he is a big grapher (aka someone who pursues autographs). I can't even guess how many autographs he has. I have seen him post about getting dozens in just one weekend. I don't know if he got an autograph from musician Frankie Torres, but he did finally meet her.

Jonathan moved from the Chicago are to Minnesota a few years ago. After I interviewed Frankie (a musician from Minnesota), I messaged him asking if her heard of her. Coincidentally, he just saw her singing the National Anthem at a sports event. He still had not met her though.

That changed at Frankie's recent performance. No doubt Jonathan dropped my name to get celebrity access (or maybe not lol). Either way, he met the talented Frankie and sent me the picture.

My interview with Frankie is at Talking Travel with Frankie Torres on Global Traveler. While you are there, please subscribe to the channel. Every subscription helps keep the channel growing (and me employed). Also, be sure to go to frankietorresmusic.com for more info on the awesome musician!

Jonathan and Frankie in Minnesota-June 2026.

Friend Encounters: Skye Blue and Ty

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Keeping his memory alive, I once again feature my departed friend Ty. He would really love this one.

Ty was a big wrestling fan. He watched wrestler Skye Blue from her earliest days. Now he would enjoy watching her rise in All Elie Wrestling. At least Ty got to see her debut in AEW and start the climb.

It is rare to follow a wrestler basically from the very beginning, but Ty and several of us saw her many years ago. She was so young, but you could see the talent in her. It just took time and experience to hone those skills. Skye worked hard at all aspects of her career and it paid off. She is one of the most visible wrestlers in AEW now and her future is bright.

Ty would be so excited and so proud of her. He was such a loyal suporter of her an all other of his favorites. Ty was everything you would want in a wrestling fan and a friend actually.

I miss Ty at wrestling shows and comic cons. We all do. RIP Ty.

Ty and Skye Blue January 2024.

Friend Encounters: Gwen Svekis and Jim

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Continuing my focus on the reborn Chicago Bandits, today I feature two catchers.

Gwen Svekis had a great career at the university of Oregon, helping the Ducks to three Women's College World Series appearances. She turned pro and played for the Chicago Bandits and then the inaugural season of Athletes Unlimited. Gwen was one of the most popular players for the Bandits and then the AU teams. The Rosemont crowds loved Gwen.

The other catcher didn't accomplish nearly as much, nor was he as popular as Gwen. Still, my pal Jim has done fine in his life. Jim helped me several times when I was covering the old Chicago Bandits. While he is not part of the old guard, he does qualify as an "old crusty" like the rest of us. He is also embraced by the old guard because he is a real fan of the game.

I took this picture of catcher meeting catcher. I was happy to return the favor after Jim did so much photography for me.

Gwen is still involved with AU in a leadership role. More importantly, Gwen married Taylor Edwards, another former catcher for the Bandits and AU. They are a great couple. Both are so positive and happy.

For more info on the Bandits, go to auprosports.com. Check my recurring coverage here.

Gwen and Jim in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Friend Encounters: John Cena and David Vox Mullen

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

There is so much material in this picture. It is also a bit bittersweet for me.

First, the obvious joke. Why am I featuring my friend David Vox Mullen all by himself? If you know wrestling, you'll get that reference. If you don't know wrestling, look at Cena's hat for a clue.

This meeting between wrestling legend John Cena and my pal Vox happened at Wizard World in 2012. That was before I even knew Vox, but it wasn't before I was covering Wizard World. Henc my angst. Why didn't I get an interview with Cena? Oh well.

I am very happy for Vox though. He landed a big name and he deserved it. Vox is extremely talented, whether singing, hosting, performing comedy or anything else he does. He is also ne of the greatest people I know.

Vox earned everything he has gotten. His most recent projects were a documentary on Wisconsin wrestling promoter David Herro and an unnamed future doc. His very latest accomplishment is his book Go Book Yourself. I am lucky enough to have a special #5 of 20 original copies headed to me. I can't waqit to read it and review it right here.

To learn more info, follow Vox on Instagram. Of course, check back here, too. You'll definitely see more of Vox in the future.

John Cena and Vox in Rosemont, IL-August 2012.

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.

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.

Friend Encounters: Abby Ramirez and Chris

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is back. More important to Chicago, the Chicago Bandits are back.

After a few years of AU Softball being played under fantasy-league type rules, AUSL debuted last year, bringing back traditional softball. Four teams played the season in Rosemont, including the Bandits, but none had a designated city affiliation. In the offseason, it was finally announced the Bandits would belong to Chicago, while the other three teams, plus two new teams, found their homes elsewhere.

Abby Ramirez played for the previous version of the Chicago Bandits. She also played in the first two seasons of AU. The Chicago-area native starred at the University of Michigan, before returning to Chicago to play pro ball. She currently is an assistant coach for DePaul.

That is where long time Bandits fan Chris saw her. The Blue Demons hosted the Dome Tournament in February. Of course, Chris had to get a picture with Abby. Despite retiring from active play about four years ago, Abby is still extremely popular with Chicago fans. Everyone loves Abby and rightly so.

Chris is very popular, too. He is well-known for taking hundreds of pictures at every game and also for his cowbell.  A constant presence at all Bandits or AU games in Rosemont, Chris is part of the old guard. He goes back farther than me, but I am still part of the "Old Crusties" group with him, Tony, Kevin and a few others.

Go to auprosports.com for more info on the league and depaulbluedemons.com for more info on Abby and the Blue Demons. Check back here for my recurring coverage of both.

Chris and Abby in Rosemont, IL-February 2026

Friend Encounters: Paloma Starr and Tommy Else

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I feature two of my friends I met through our time with Resistance Pro Wrestling. While Tommy would say he is a star, even he must admit Paloma is the celebrity in this picture.

A noted fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Paloma has added the Chicago Cubs to her fandom since moving here. Once when she had an extra ticket, she invited pal Tommy to a Cubs game. He only "condition" was he had to wear his Cubs Hawaiian shirt. He readily agreed, but he probably would have worn it either way. He added a luchador mask, which 35,000 fans happy not to actually see him.

A bit to my surprise, Tommy has actually become a big fan of the Cubs. Not just a surface-level social media fan, Tommy knows his stuff.

Meanwhile Paloma recently started appearing on Ring the Belle, the daily wrestling talk show on Sirius radio. I'd like to glom a bit of credit for her media success, because of her time as the "Chica On the Beat" at Resistance Pro. The truth is she is a natural and I was lucky to have her on my interview series. Her success is all her own and she deserves all of it. Give it a listen and if you call in, mention Johngy sent you.

Paloma and Tommy in Chicago, IL-June 2015.

Friend Encounters: Ted Irvine and Ty

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

My late friend Ty was a big wrestling fan. Usually, I would feature him meeting a wrestler. Today though, Ty is featured with a hockey legend.

Why is wrestling fan Ty with former hockey star Ted Irvine? It really has more to do with Irvine's son, than his hockey career. Irvine is the father of Chris, better known by his ring name of Chris Jericho.

Irvine made his NHL debut in the 1963-64 season by laying one game with the Boston Bruins. After time in the minors, he returned to the NHL in the 1967-68 season with the Los Angeles Kings. After two and a half seasons with the Kings, Irvine was traded to the New York Rangers. He played through the 1974-75 season with the Rangers, before two seasons with the St. Louis Blues to finish his NHL career.

The younger Irvine has carved a Hall of Fame career with WCW, WWE and now AEW. He is a legit legend. His accomplishments are even more impressive when you look at how poorly he was booked in WCW. He somehow managed to get himself over, despite bad storylines and being overlooked.

Ty met Irvine on the Jericho Cruise, a poular sea cruise led by Chris. It is the perfect setting for a fan like Ty.

Sadly, Ty died a couple years ago. His humor and smile are missed at every event. I always think of Ty as I enter any event. I hope I am helping keep his memory alive for our mutual convention and wrestling friends. RIP Ty.

Ty and Ted Irvine -July 2024.

Friend Encounters: Sol Ruca and Dennis D.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

My Wisconsin convention buddy Dennis is at it again. He got one of the wrestlers I would love to meet and he did it in my hometown!

Calyx Harmony Hampton is better known as Sol Ruca, one of the rising stars in the WWE. I don't follow current wrestling too closely, but there are a handful of young wrestlers I really like and Sol Ruca is one of them.

She signed with the WWE in 2022, when she was just 22. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named her the Rookie of the Year for 2023. She was ranked No. 23 of the top 250 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Women's 250 in 2025. She won the NXT North American Women's title and the WWE Women's Speed championship. She was just brought up to the main roster and has a bright future.

So how did Dennis scoop me on this one? I could have gone, but I know the line for her was ridiculously long. I applaud Dennis for having the grit to withstand it. Maybe I am too old. I like her, but not enough to put that much effort into it.

So Dennis got me on this one. I suddenly feel the urge to find a Brewers player for a picture to get even.

Sol Ruca and Dennis in Chicago, IL-November 2025.

 

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.

Friend Encounters: Priscilla Kelly & Heather

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

At the Squared Circle VI, there was a meeting of two tough women wrestlers. Longtime friend and favorite Hardcore Heather Owens and Priscilla Kelly (aka Ggi Dolin) were in the same room and actually posed together. There's a lot of talent in that picture.

Prior to wrestling, Kelly already was getting into the entertainment world. She was in the first season of the reality show My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. After making her wrestling debut in 2014, she worked for several independent companies before being signed by WWE. She is currently back on the indie scene. Kelly credits her autistic brother for inspiring her to be a wrestler, to give him a beter life.

I first met Heather while we were with Resistance Pro Wrestling. Heather came in several times and always had a good match. Unfortunately, she never had a great chance at the title. I could definitely have seen a title run for her.

Heather has gone on to bigger things. Heather, her husband Ed and Adolfo and Carrie, are the promoters of Squared Circle Expo, a great wrestling convention.

The pair did not meet in a match at SCX VI, but they did pose together. While I would have loved to see a match, seeing them together was still a cool sight.

For more info on SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. Follow both Heather and Kelly on social media. Of course, always check here for more fun Friend Encounters and other pop culture bits.

Heather and Priscilla Kelly in Indianapolis, IN-March 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

Friend Encounters: Dennis Rodman, Ed and Heather

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

In March, I attended Squared Circle Expo VI. It's not just a great wrestling convention. SCX has quickly become one of the best celebrity conventions of any kind. 

Dennis Rodman was one of the headliner guests this year. What perfect timing, too. The three-time NBA champ with the Chicago Bulls was just voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. This was probably his first autograph signing since that announcement.

For those who don't know, Rodman dabbled in pro wrestling as a tag team partner of Hulk Hogan and a member of the NWO. While Rodman would never be confused with Bruno Sammartino, he did what he needed to do. He was himself, in all his fabulous outrageousness. 

Getting him as a guest at SCX was a big coup and it paid off as his line was ridiculously long. Two folks who didn't have to wait in line though were Ed and Heather, one-half of the Fab Four who run SCX. 

I've known Heather for about 15 years and Ed not much less. I first met her at Resistance Pro Wrestling and Ed at a different convention. Saying they are a fun couple is an understatement. They are great folks who bust butt to make the convention fun for all. They also squeeze in a little fun for themselves and rightly so.

With SCX VI in the books, everyone is already looking forward to SCX VII. No info is known about that yet, but you can learn a bit more about SCX at squaredcirclex.com.

Ed, Dennis Rodman and Heather in Indianapolis, IN_March 2026.