Yep, they shocked the world!

Congratulations to the 2006 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals! I was there for the clincher, well, sort of. I didn't have a ticket to the game (just couldn't bring myself to fork over $400 plus the scalpers were asking), but was just outside the gates with thousands of other Cardinal fans soaking up the atmosphere and trying to catch a glimpse of the game between the gates. After the final out, I rushed in to celebrate with the rest of Cardinal nation. Wow . . . what a feeling!

After the game, I ran into actor/comedian Kevin Pollack. He's friends with Cards manager Tony LaRussa and was in town for all three World Series games.

Plus, Cardinal/Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Buck was kind enough to visit with fans while waiting for his ride. He said he thought alot about his dad, Jack, during the game. He also replayed his game ending call for the fans who asked. And, no, I didn't touch his throat.

Finally, here's David Eckstein, your World Series MVP . . . from this past February at spring training in Jupiter, Florida.

Here's a member of the 2006 NL Central Division Champion St. Louis Cardinals . . . super reserve Scott Spezio. This shot was taken this past March at spring training . . . "pre-red soul patch." Let's hope the Birds get it in gear in post-season!

Wow . . . it's been a while since my last update. The following are my three latest additions.

Sherman Hemsley (aka George Jefferson) was in Peoria, Illinois on September 17 to star in the play, "Mama's Sweet Potato Pie." The play was part of the city's Black Expo. As he exited the van which brought him from Chicago, his hands were full with his wardrobe and lunch. He said he'd be back in a minute to sign our autographs. Sure enough, about 5 minutes later, he came out the backstage garage to sign. I had purchased his CD, "Dance," via Ebay for him to sign (the disk is RARE and includes an interesting mix of jazz, r and b, and dance music, yes George Jefferson can sing). He was quite startled to see the disk and seemed thrilled to be able to accommodate my request for an autograph. As he finished, he caught a glimpse of my Moodies Strange Times crew shirt I was wearing. "Moody Blues, huh? Strange Times...I really never liked that one. I really like their first six albums," he said. How's that for an unexpected surprise? We spent the next five minutes chatting about the Moodies, favorite songs, and seeing the band live. As we finished our conversation, he posed for a picture and then walked back inside for the show.

Guitar wizard Leo Kottke was at the UIS Auditorium in Springfield, Illinois, for a September 15 concert. After declining my request for a photo before the show (said he had to take the stage in five minutes, when in reality he had 45 minutes), he stopped to sign and take pictures with fans at the backstage door after the show.

I headed to Springfield, Illinois, August 22 in hopes of getting a picture with actress Vivicia A. Fox at an AIDS awareness event at The Center. Instead, I got Grammy winner Kelly Rowland, a member of 90's super group Destiny's Child. She was a last minute fill-in for Vivica who had a film commitment to honor. Getting to Kelly was the hard part as she had sequestered herself in an area to the side of the stage where she watched five different rap artists perform. I won't give you specifics, but I did manage to access the backstage area. Kelly posed for the picture on a rest room break between acts.

Best wishes to the new bride on her marriage this weekend to Kid Rock. I met Pam Anderson this past May at the after party for the Rainforest Benefit concert in New York City. Although she was with a large entourage, she took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Let's see . . . a professional race car driver, a Heisman trophy winner, a professional golfer, and a supermodel. Not bad for a night's work. I captured photos with them at the July 27 stop in Springfield, Illinois, of the Kyle Petty Chick-Fil-A (I love Chick-Fil-A . . . Eat More Chicken!) Charity Motorcycle Ride. The caravan of over 200 motorcycles pulled up to the Hilton Hotel about 8 p.m. They had been delayed about two hours due to inclement weather earlier in the day.

As Kyle was making his welcome speech at the podium, I managed to work my way into the crowd and next to the podium to get my first shot, PGA golfer Davis Love III. In his 21-year career, he's managed to win over $33 million in prize money.

As soon as Kyle finished his speech, the cyclists dispersed to their bikes and the ride around the corner to the parking lot. That's where I met 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL running back Herschel Walker (in 1992 he was inducted into the NCAA Collegiate Hall of Fame and also named the second greatest college football player of all time, second only to the legendary Red Grange). Herschel looked splendid in his white jump suit, but took off the haz-mat looking apparel for the photograph.

Next up . . . super model Nikki Taylor. I waited for Nikki as she exited the parking garage. Nikki, who has graced the covers of Vogue, Cosmo, and several SI swimsuit editions, was more than happy to stop for a photograph and chat for a minute. I suppose it's not often you find super models who enjoy riding motorcycles.

Kyle Petty was final celeb of the evening. #45 was in a great mood after completing the day-long ride of over 500 miles. He signed autographs and took photographs with fans at a reception inside the Hilton.

We spent the past week on vacation . . . taking in the Taste of Chicago (Lou Merlonti's deep dish pizza is to die for!), Milwaukee's Summerfest (don't wait until midnight to leave), and the Wisconsin Dells. While in the Windy City, I met actor/comedian Martin Short following the first night of previews of his new play, Fame Becomes Me, at the LaSalle Bank Theater (don't you just love corporate sponsorship?!?!). Martin was cordial to the small group of ten waiting outside the stage door as he signed playbills and posed for photographs. Martin's next stop is Broadway. His Broadway previews start July 29. You can also catch "Marty" next week on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Another neat surprise on tonight's episode of The Closer . . . John Billingsley! John played Dr. Phlox on Star Trek Enterprise and has been in numerous other TV shows and movies (including White Oleander). John played the role of a food critic who murdered the wife of a chef. I met John in May as he was leaving the Trump Hotel in New York City. He was kind enough to stop for a quick photograph, even though he was chatting on the phone. Too bad he's looking elsewhere.