Friendly Encounters

This is a series dedicated to my friends meeting celebrities.

When we last featured Rob Mackowiak, it was in a post with Steve of White Sox Cards.  They went to Oak Lawn Community High School together.  Today, I am featuring Mackowiak with two friends of mine, both named Scott.
Pork is my brother-in-law and Swede is his long-time friend (and my not-quite as long time friend).  I met Swede through Pork.  Both Scotts share a passion for beating me (and they have done it often...too often actually).  Pork has won more than his fair share of bets with me, while Swede has dominated me in the highly respected Boone Fantasy League.  Both trends have slightly turned in my favor of late, but I'll say that quietly so as not to incur the famous and highly effective Swede Curse (I'm still reeling from the effects of one particular curse placed upon me in Houston a few years back).
This last winter, Pork and Swede joined a bunch of their friends in Mexico for a wedding.  Also at the wedding was Mackowiak, a friend of the bride's family.  By all accounts, Mackowiak was just a regular nice guy.   The Scotts got a chance to talk baseball and have a good time with Mackowiak, but we all know their main goal was to land right here in Friendly Encounters.

 Scott Parker, Rob Mackowiak and Scott Olofsson in Mexico-Winter 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebs.

My family loves this site and I am sure they all read it daily.  Every one of them is always on the lookout for a Friendly Encounter.  My nephew Matt Parker is the king of Friendly Encounters, but today, I am featuring his parents, Jean and Scott.
Jean and Scott are real global travelers (sorry, cheap plug for one of my employers, Global Traveler magazine, the industry's #1 source for travel and business information).  One of their 2010 excursions brought them to southern Illinois, where they encountered the Man of Steel, Superman.
Regular readers might say that this is a stretch and usually only Nancy gets away with stretching the definition of meeting a "celebrity".  That is probably true, but it's my site and I set (and blur) the rules.  Therefore the picture qualifies.  Besides, how often can you get a picture with a Superhero who is twice your size?  The only thing better would have been if it was Aquaman!

Jean and Scott Parker with Superman in southern, IL-Summer 2010.

Happy Birthday Scott

Where to begin with my brother-in-law Scott Parker.  I have known him for about 28 years.  Over those years, he has been a mentor, a friend and a brother to me.
He's also been a frequent betting opponent of mine.  Who knows how many bets we have made over the years.  I do know that after years of being his whipping dog, I finally started to actually win some over the last couple of years.
I want to take this time to publicly thank Scott for everything.  From the 1995 fishing trip with his friends which brought me out of a deep funk, to the recent Houston trip which included one of the most exciting Texans game ever...we have had some great times. 
I am glad you are part of my family (or maybe I am part of yours).  I hope you have a great birthday and a fantastic year.  I also hope I win at least 51% of all bets we make in 2011.
Happy birthday Scott!

Matt Parker, me and Scott Parker in Houston, TX-December 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

My nephew Matt is on his way to be an internet star thanks to his many appearances here. Today, I am featuring Matt's parents, Scott and Jean (my sister).
I have had a lot of great memories with Scott and Jean (separately and together) over the years. I had a lot of fun visiting them in Houston for the few years they lived there. It was always a great time.
Recently, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. That is awesome. I remember when they started dating. Their wedding was a total blast, one of the most fun times I have had at a wedding. They have raised two great children. Extra points to them because, they have tolerated me through good and bad over the years.
I love them and I congratulate them on 25 years. I wish them well and look forward to more great times.

Scott and Jean Parker with Bishop J. Peter Sartain in Joliet, IL-August 2010.

Razor Shines Give Us Props

Yesterday, I posted our interview with Razor Shines, coach with the New York Mets. Today's video is a bit shorter and definitely not as steady, but for us it was hilarious.
When Scott, Matt and I attend Astros games (sitting close to the Astros dugout), we have made it a ritual to cheer the player who warms up the pitcher between innings when the regular catcher isn't ready. We have gotten acknowledgment from former Astros player Mike Lamb, as well as current Astros Geoff Blum and Humberto Quintero. It's all in good fun.
We have occasionally strayed and wildly cheered others, too. Sometimes it is the pitching coach. Sometimes it is an effective middle relief pitcher.
Last time in Houston (after the interview with Shines), we cheered wildly for Shines as he jogged to his coaching position near first base. Shines pointed to us and laughed. The laugh isn't audible and the point is a bit hard to see, but it was there, right about at the six second mark.

Scott and Matt at Kenny & Ziggy's

Last year, I was in Houston to interview former pitcher David Clyde for an online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Scott and Matt (former Houston residents) joined me on the trip. While there, we took in a Houston Texans game against the Tennessee Titans.
Prior to the game, we loaded up with food at a little hidden gem, Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen Restaurant. The food was so outstanding, I actually reviewed Kenny and Ziggy's for Global Traveler's EFlyer on 2/25/09.
GT usually runs reviews of more formal restaurants. I pushed for the exception, because Kenny & Ziggy's was just that exceptional. I had my usual turkey and swiss sandwich, but it was not your usual turkey and swiss sandwich. It was incredibly fresh bread, enveloping a mound of fresh, juicy, tasty turkey and a good hunk of swiss cheese. Scott and Matt had beef brisket, which was similar. As a sidenote, when they asked for a sample, they got a heaping helping.
Once again, I am heading to Houston for some work. Once again, Scott and Matt will be joining me. We will be going to the Texans game against the Seattle Seahawks. However, before the game, we will be stopping by Kenny & Ziggy's for our pre-game tailgating meal.

Matt and Scott Parker in front of Kenny & Ziggy's van in Houston, TX-December 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

When we last saw Big Boy, JayHawk Evans was trying to outmuscle him for a burger (I think it was the bacon that drove him to do it). Today, Big Boy is back with my sister and a few of her posse.
Of course, her husband Scott is in the picture. Scott is always up for some travel and fun. Plus, rumor has it that being on Johngy's Beat is one of his guilty pleasures.
Laurie Nicola (wife of Jim, sister-in-law of Rick) and Rose Nestlehut (wife of Tom) are making their Johngy's Beat debut. What a proud moment for them.
That brings us to Tom Nestlehut. I have known Tom for about 25 years. Tom is a laugh riot. One of my proudest moments in life occurred in a bar in a small Wisconsin town. The details can be found in an online piece I wrote for Global Traveler, but in short, I rose up to a challenge from the Nes and crowned him with a new moniker (at least temporarily).
Tom is the President of Nestlehut Finanacial Services, Inc. and is an avid fisherman. I am looking to rejoin Tom and the gang for Canada 2015, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of my last trip (and the one and only fish I ever caught in my life).

Jean Parker, Rose Nestlehut, Scott Parker, Big Boy, Tom Nestlehut and Laurie Nicola in St. Joseph, MI-Summer 2009.

Johngy Salutes Swede

I have known Scott Olofsson for about 25 years. I first met Swede through Scott Parker, who became my brother-in-law. In 1995, I went on a fishing trip to remote Canada with Scott, Swede and 5 other guys. During that time, Swede recruited me for his fantasy baseball league. Obviously he smelled blood.
This season was one of the few times I have ever finished higher than Swede. Naturally I am celebrating my victory.
On a recent trip to Milwaukee, Swede mocked Matt and me about butt-kissing Manny Ramirez (and some other players). He claimed we were chasing Manny like 2 love-struck school girls. Barbs fly often between us at baseball games. Allegiances switch as quickly as pitches are thrown. I am sure I got some decent shots back at Swede, but today, I am closing the door through pictures. Hey, it's my blog...I can do whatever I want.
The first picture is of Swede (and Parker) that Matt took from our comfortable seats in the Press Box. The second shot is a picture that Matt took from the field (this time, we were 'chasing' Brad Ausmus).
Finally, the above picture is of Matt and me ON THE FIELD! Mock us if you want, King Swede (heck, you can even throw your famous Swede Curse my way), but there Matt and I were, hanging on the field. I won't even mention the respect we received from other fans (like on the shuttle bus).

Swede raising his glass as a sign of respect for my mere presence-St. Joseph, MI-early 00's.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

My sister Jean and her husband Scott spent some time this summer with their friends in Rocky Mount (MO). While there, they heard great stories about a lakeside bar called Schmidty's. Unfortunately, after several days, they still could not find the place. Then they saw an ad for Schmidty's in a local paper. They called and got specific directions, but the place was still hard to find.
When they finally located Schmidty's, they had to get a picture with Schmidty himself, to send to their other friends. Schmidty gladly obliged. They also had to send it along to me for Friendly Encounters. Few people are friendlier than Schmidty (and his pup).

Scott and Jean Parker and Schmidty in Rocky Mount, MO-June 2009.

The Brad Ausmus Ball

Things went well on my first couple of trips to visit my sister and her family after they moved to Houston. I was having fun hanging with them and seeing this great city.
We went to a few Astros games there, always when the Cubs were in town. Scott and Matt were White Sox fans (thus Cubs haters), so they quickly became Astros fans.
Things went well for the Cubs in the beginning. Then came the moment which we all agree signified great changes and the Cubs have had troubles there ever since.
The Cubs were winning the game. They had men on and big hitters coming up. Well, the big hitters came up and then went down. Sammy Sosa made the last out of the inning woefully flailing at strike 3.
From our seats behind the Astros dugout, Scott and Matt stood up and cheered wildly. Brad Ausmus jogged in heading for the dugout. He looked up and flipped the ball directly to Scott, who one-handed it.
The next inning, the Astros came roaring back, thanks to some shoddy defense by Moises Alou and some even shoddier pitching by a few of the Cubs relievers. The Astros went on to win that game and many more that I attended since.
I love Brad Ausmus, but I have to blame him for this change in destiny. Why did he have to throw that ball to Scott? I know Scott has that ball prominently on display and takes great pride in the belief that he was part of reversing the fortunes of the Astros and the Cubs!

Scott Parker holding the ball that changed history in Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX-early 00's.

Old Times at Home

I decided to take a left turn from the usual sports related 'Old Times' posts to present one of my favorite pictures of all time. The picture features my brother-in-law Scott, my nephew Matt (pre-Big Money days) and me.
About 20 years ago, for reasons we can't remember, my friend/coworker Louie Atsaves and
I became known as the 'Bash Brothers' around the office. It might not have been original, but it was humorous (at the time and in that place at least). As a joke, I drew caricatures befitting the name and even printed a couple tshirts for Louie and me.
This is when the fun really started. The tshirts became a hit with everyone else. We have no idea why, but before the craze was over, we had sold over 75 tshirts to others around the office. Bash Brothers wear was the rage.
I made a few extra and gave them to my family as a joke. One day, Scott and Matt surprised me by donning the shirts for a family get-together. That cracked me up. Fortunately, my sister snapped the picture for posterity.
Wow...that's a lot of purple.

Scott Parker, Matt Parker and me in Matteson, IL-Summer 1990.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I simply cannot believe it! My sister and her husband met the Schwab and I didn't. I am the Shwab fan...not them! I have watched countless hours of Stump the Schwab (with their son Matt)...not them! I am the celeb guy...not them! Yet there they were in Disney World, mingling with The Schwab.
Jean and Scott recently went to Disney World with my niece Samantha and one of her friends. It happened to be during some special ESPN time there. If only I knew that...
When Scott saw Schwabbie, he knew he had to get a picture with him. At least they were nice enough to share their picture with me (or were they just taunting me?).
I'll get over it. I am happy they got to meet Schwabbie. Now, had they met Suzy Kolber without me...

Jean Parker, the Schwab and Scott Parker in Orlando, FL-March 2009.

Happy Birthday Scott Parker

In honor of Scott Parker's (my brother-in-law) birthday, I present a 'Then and Now'.

Then...Scott and Matt (Big Money...or would he be little money?) surprised me by donning my tshirt! Yep, that is where the whole cartoon Johngy face originated. I had to get that moment saved for posterity (and for this blog).

Scott, Matt and me in Matteson, IL-early 90's.

and now...Years later and freshly back from 5 years in Houston (TX), Scott and Matt met me at Wrigley Field for a Cubs-Astros game. I think it is cool to have a picture of the Parker men in Wrigley. Of course, they had the bigger laugh, making me wear a White Sox jersey (after I lost a bet). Despite the fact that the Astros were the Cubs opponents that day, I got more jeers in my jersey than they did in the Astros jersey.
So here you go Scott...my present to you for all the world to see...me in a White Sox jersey at Wrigley Field. Enjoy!

Scott, Matt and me (in reverse) in Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL-Summer 2006.

Bear Down Sunday #16

The Chicago Bears stand at 9-6 as they face the Houston Texans today. The Bears need a win and a loss by the Vikings to capture the NFC North division title.
Who better to represent this game than my brother-in-law Scott. Scott (and the family) lived in Houston (TX) for several years. He cheered for the Texans during their lean first few years.
They are back in the Chicago area, but Scott still supports the Houston teams, as well as the Chicago teams (except for the Cubs). I have to give him credit though. He was brave enough to wear his Texans jersey as he cheered for his Texans when they were in Indianapolis to face the Colts. The Hoosiers treated him pretty well, although it might have gotten ugly if the Texans had beaten the Colts.
Scott ran into the Geico Gekko in the stadium concourse. He posed for a photo and I jumped in (hey...it was the Geico Gekko!!). Scott will probably deny it, but the speculation is that this was an attempt to land in a post on Johngy's Beat.

Scott, the Geico Gekko and me at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, IN-November 2008.

Jimmy Wynn:The Toy Cannon

Scott (my brother-in-law), Big Money (my nephew) and I always attend a bunch of Cubs-Astros games every season. They lived in Houston for a while and both hate the Cubs. Therefore, we have a nice rivalry, although I usually end up on the losing side whenever we attend games in Houston. Former player Jimmy Wynn did some post-game broadcasting for the Astros last season. We attempted to meet him, but were almost sent away with the rest of the crowd, until Scott informed the ushers that Jimmy had instructed us to wait for him. I owe Scott for that one.
Wynn had one of the greatest nicknames, the Toy Cannon, which aptly described his strong arm. It isn't a slick modern name, like JWynn or J-Wy or some other such non-creative moniker. He was the Toy Cannon and you feared his arm!

Some 'fans' questioned us about who Jimmy Wynn was and where he played his career. Wynn's #24 hangs proudly as one of a handful of retired jersey numbers of the Astros. Wynn spent 11 seasons in Houston and still ranks high in many of their all-time offensive categories. Of course, some fans also stated that Brad Ausmus was one of the best hitters on the Astros.

Big Money, Jimmy Wynn and me at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX-August 2007.