Entrepreneur and former left-handed minor league pitcher Rob “Nellie” Nelson, the inventor of Big League Chew, discusses his bubble gum company’s history and success in the marketplace with Mick and Mook in the upcoming episode of ‘A Mick A Mook and A Mic’ slated for August 18th.Starting from humble beginnings in the Portland Mavericks bullpen (an independent Class A minor league baseball team) in 1977, Nelson developed Big League Chew into the preferred chewing gum

A Mick A Mook and A Mic (“MMM”) is pleased to announce that it is now offering Charter Sponsorship Programs for its podcast and website. One of the fastest growing podcast on the Internet, ‘MMM’ has tripled its weekly average downloads in recent weeks. The podcast features Frank Pace, a four time Emmy nominated producer, sports agent and author, and Billy O’Connor – a comedian, author, and Vietnam Veteran who, for 20 years, also served as

(Counterpoint to DA MICK BLOG – Is This Microphone Ever Turned On?)Most would view this as contrarian. But is it, though? The nuance of this statement by Oscar Wilde mustn’t be ignored. One aspect of this nuance is asking the question – Why is this popular, and should it be?Another question… Should we investigate? This is America. Oh, but we’re so busy. We’ve got Netflix to watch and so much chilling to do. Americans have

Being an American is very strange. As I’m sure many of you know, it’s a nation filled with contradictions. From patriotism whenever the US Olympic athletes kick ass to shame when certain states refuse to vaccinate their population against a deadly pandemic that has killed millions of people (I’m not naming any names, I’m above that *cough**cough* Tennessee *cough**cough*). But, one of the contradictions that confuses me the most is the dichotomy between our “united

Together, Laurel and Wendy Prieb have formed the most dynamic couple in baseball over the last 40-years.  Since the 70s Laurel has served as an executive with the Twins, Brewers and now as a Vice President for Special Operations for Major League Baseball. Laurel may be the foremost authority alive today on Rod Carew.  Wendy, a summa cum laude graduate of Marquette University Law School, was the only female president and CEO of a Major League

In the song ‘My Way,’ sung by Frank Sinatra and written by Paul Anka, there’s a famous line which reads; Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.  A very meaningful song and line, especially as one gets older.For those who say they have no regrets, I say hogwash.  If you have no regrets, I question the fullness of your life. Did you not take any chances in your lifetime? I’ve had

Discussions about choice and freedom are as old as history itself. From modern philosophy and religion back to Calvinism, Aristotle, and Plato, all the big wigs have pondered these existential conundrums. Are we in charge of our own choices, do we have a say on the direction and course of our lives? Is there a God (or gods) that chart our paths? Are our fates predetermined so that we merely live our lives like trains

Michael Freed was Florida Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2020.  He has a wealth of experience in the courtroom and arbitrations, administrative proceedings and other forms of dispute resolution.  He serves as counsel for a variety of companies, with regular involvement in personnel matters, labor relations, contract negotiations, insurance, risk analysis and strategic planning. Mike is also a stand-up comic who performs regularly at the Comedy Zone in Jacksonville, Florida and at other clubs and

Upton Bell is a former National Football League executive. He is the son of former NFL Commissioner Bert Bell and Broadway actress Frances Upton.In 1971, at the age of 33, Bell became the youngest General Manager in the NFL when he was hired to lead (then known as) the Boston Patriots. One of Bell’s first moves was recommending to the Patriots’ Board of Directors that they change the name to the New England Patriots.Starting in

On the July 28th episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic, former New England Patriots’ General Manager, Upton Bell, gives us a behind the scene look at the National Football League.Son of former NFL Commissioner, Bert Bell, Upton discusses how his dad developed the NFL schedule on their kitchen table.  He also divulges information regarding the feud between former Oakland Raiders principal owner and general manager Al Davis and then commissioner Pete Rozelle. In

My assistant said, “Carl Thomas is on the line.” Carl Thomas was the Vice President of Marketing for Speedo, the country’s leading swimwear manufacturer.  Armen Keteyian and I were working as a two-man P.R. group for a small San Diego based marketing firm called The Phillips Organisation, Ltd.  (That is the correct spelling). Speedo was our client.“Put Carl through,” I said. It was early 1982. Carl had just gotten off a plane from Kona, Hawaii.  He was almost hyperventilating.  “I

Are you familiar with the term Genericide? Genericide is the term used when a brand legally loses its mark by reaching a point where the product name is no longer differentiated and is therefore synonymous with the generic product. For example: consumers say “Kleenex” when referring to facial tissue, regardless of the actual brand they’re using.In other words, brands can be destroyed by their own success – and Little League could be a Genericide brand. To those

A Mick A Mook and A Mic is pleased to announce that We Can Coffee Company will become an official Presenting Sponsor of the ‘MMM’ Podcast.  The product will be introduced on the July 28th  podcast.We Can Coffee Company offers freshly roasted to order premium blends of coffee, which is delivered to your front door. Their beans are carefully roasted in small batches to give their coffee a rich, smooth and fresh taste. We Can

The July 21st episode of A Mick A Mook and A Mic will feature Dwight Hicks, the former San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl Champion and current actor.A native of New Jersey, Dwight began his NFL career in 1979, and became a key player in the 49ers dynasty in the 1980s, winning Super Bowls in 1982 and 1985. He played Free Safety and was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981-1984. He was

Frank Pace has produced three movies and more than 700 hours of network television.A Valhalla High alumnus, he has been involved with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.Yet when he decided to write a book — “If These Lips Could Talk” — it wasn’t about him, but the people he met along the way, including a stop as a public-relations man in San Diego.Pace’s TV credits include producing the Emmy-nominated “Murphy Brown,”

By Will Peterman | July 4, 2021Hydration is obviously a large part of being a person. We’re like 60% water, which is crazy because I’m still not even 60% sure writing weekly essays is a good idea…anyways, I’m pretty damn good at drinking water. I carry a big ‘ole silver water bottle with me basically everywhere I go. I fill that guy up like three or four times per day. At this point, I get

While watching the NBA Playoffs, thoughts brought me back to my most memorable night at a NBA game. It was November, 1977.  It was a game at The ‘Fabulous’ Forum in Los Angeles.  It was the Chicago Bulls versus the LA Lakers.  It was a battle of 7-footers…Artis Gilmore versus Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.Allow me to set the stage… I had recently moved from a small town south of Boston to Marina Del Rey, California.  I was living in

It’s been a while, but I think the time is finally right: strap in because after a run of normal essays, I’m ready to drop another weird one.We live in a world dominated by capitalism and consumerism. Every time you buy a new product, it’s the best one they’ve ever made. It makes all previous versions obsolete! Without this new product, you’re nothing and nobody! But sometimes, there are products that theoretically last forever, products

With Father’s Day upon us, I’d like to take a break from sports and write about my Dad…a real life hero.Many children look to their fathers as their hero…and rightfully so.  If you were lucky enough to have a Dad that gave you reason to think of him in that manner, be thankful. I hope you cherished him and continue to do so to this day, whether he’s still physically with you, or just in

Being an adult kind of sucks. I’m hardly the first person to posit this thought but it’s still true. Even the things that, as a kid, I looked forward to aren’t nearly as cool as I’d hoped they’d be: Driving a car? Sure, have fun in traffic on the way to work. Booze? Yeah beer is great, hangovers and beer guts though, not so much. A steady paycheck? AHAHAHAHAH! I’ll let you know when I

Having a “thing” is great. It’s probably one of my favorite parts of being a sentient being. But what is a “thing”? Well it’s kind of like a hobby, but it can be much broader, much vaguer than just a hobby. It’s something that you’re thinking about during the middle of a work day. Something you’re excited to do, or watch, or just think about more over the weekend! One of the beautiful things about

Let me say right off the top…I hate ‘greatest’ lists – especially those offered by writers barely out of school.  Kids ranking basketball greats who have never seen the likes of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson or Jerry West play should be automatically disqualified from a greatest ‘ever’ NBA list.Recently, I was reading a list by a young writer who is published in a reputable sports website.I won’t embarrass or promote him by publishing

(Excerpted in part from the book, IF THESE LIPS COULD TALK)   How did I become pals with Cowboy Joe West, the man who will set the major league record for most games umpired in baseball history (5,376) tonight (5/25) in Chicago?  The man of whom someone once said, “This is a guy who will walk into a blast furnace with two gasoline buckets, he doesn’t give a damn.”     Racquetball.  That’s right, racquetball.  You remember racquetball.  It was

The highlight on my career was an invitation to Don Rickles 70th birthday party. It was an incredibly star-studded event, even for Hollywood. The guests included Frank Sinatra, Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone, Bob and Ginny Newhart, Milton Berle, Marty Scorsese and Red Buttons along with movie moguls Marvin Daly and Bob Daly.My wife and I were seated with comic Jack Carter ,his wife and noted cosmetics maven Tovah Borgnine (wife of Academy Award winner, Ernest) plus

A warning to the younger people who read this blog…when you reach a certain age, some things in life become intolerable, which includes watching insufferable sports professionals.Also, get ready for some old-man ‘back in my day’ comments.  However, my life is all I have to compare happenings over the years – and trust me, there have been plenty of years to analyze.  I promise, you’ll be there one day, too, if you’re not already.To better