Friendly Encounters

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

A while back, while researching for an online piece for Global Traveler, I came across "Evil Pete" (not to be confused with Evil Zebra). Pete is the founder of 505, a social network in the Lancaster (PA) area. The piece can still be found here, if you want to read more of Pete's story or to just check out my GT work).
Pete had a handful of great old school pictures of him as a youngster with various Philadelphia Eagles. He graciously allowed me to run the photos and his story.
Pete is pictured with Wade Key, a former guard and tackle with the Eagles in the 1970's. Key's entire career was with the Eagles and spanned all ten seasons of the 70's. Key was a solid player and one of the first football cards I ever had. Yes, that first card did feature Key in the very posed traditional guard stance. I love those old cards and this old photo.

Wade Key and Pete in West Chester, PA-Summer 1975.

Bear Down Sunday #11

The Chicago Bears are an unexpected 7-3 and are facing the Philadelphia Eagles who are also 7-3 and unexpectedly have Michael Vick starring for them.  The Bears will need some unexpected offensive punch today.
Back in the day, Mike Quick supplied offensive punch for the Eagles and it was expected.  Quick had a solid 9 year career in which he went to five Pro Bowls.  For a five year run, Quick was consistently excellent.  It must have been hard being the main guy after future Hall of Famer Harold Carmichael left, but Quick was up to the challenge.
Quick retired early due to severe patella tendinitis.  Quick was on pace to pass Carmichael in the Eagles record book.  Perhaps he was even on his way to the Hall.  You never can tell.
Quick does some commentary for the Eagles.  I met him at a convention last year and was happy to see he had just as many fans lining up to meet him as Carmichael.  It would have been cool to get these two greats together, but that would have created a logistical and time problem.

Mike Quick and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Friendly Encounters

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

The Bears just the lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Keeping with the Eagles theme, I am featuring Pete Ruggieri in another of his old school pictures. This time, Pete is with Harold Carmichael, the featured star from yesterday).
While I missed standing next to the tall Carmichael (see yesterday's post), Ruggieri was able to get a height shot. The fact that Ruggieri is only about 10 here really emphasizes Carmichael's height.
Ruggieri (aka Evil Pete) is the founder of 505, a social network based out of the Lancaster (PA) area. He also was the subject of an online piece I did for Global Traveler magazine.

Thanks again to Pete for sharing his great pictures.

Harold Carmichael and Pete Ruggieri in West Chester, PA-Summer 1975.

Bear Down Sunday #10

The Chicago Bears are 4-5 and hosting the Philadelphia Eagles who are 5-4. Philly's quarterback is Chicago's own Donovan McNabb, but today I am highlighting Harold Carmichael, their greatest wide receiver.
Carmichael played 13 years with the Eagles before ending his career with 2 games for the Dallas Cowboys. The 4 time Pro Bowler stood 6'8" and provided a nice target for his various QB's.
When I met Carmichael at the Ultimate Collectibles Show, I was really hoping to get a picture with him standing. Being that the show was in Oaks (about 20 minutes out of Philly), Carmichael was one of the most popular stars. There was no time for him to keep getting up for pictures, although he gladly posed if you bent down next to him.
I really didn't get to talk to him because of the crowd, but I can tell you that he made sure everyone got an autograph. He worked hard, but thoughtfully as he made his way through the long line ready to meet him.

Harold Carmichael and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Congrats to the Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are the 2008 World Series champions. My colleagues at GT World Headquarters in Yardley, PA are very happy. I'd say we are disappointed in Chicago, but we really aren't. After 100 years of futility, can we realistically expect anything from the Cubs?
In honor of the Phils, I found this shot of Fergie Jenkins, who was originally signed by them. Much is made of the many bad moves by the Cubs over the years (and they have made many), but people often forget the trade that brought Jenkins to the north side. Jenkins went on to win 20 games for 6 straight seasons in Chicago. After stints in Texas and Boston, Jenkins finished his career back with the Cubs, just missing their 1984 playoff run.

Fergie Jenkins and me at AU Sports in Skokie, IL-Summer 2005.