Mud Hens Opening Day rocks. The streets around Fifth Third Field are alive with excited conversation, live music and the buzz of people filled with optimism and pride.
This year’s Toledo Free Press Opening Day issue, compiled and edited by Special Sections Editor Sarah Ottney, positively thrums with the vibrations of a young season. We are grateful to our staff, advertisers, readers and the Mud Hens organization for helping to make this issue one of our biggest and best of the year.
We asked local illustrator Penny Collins to create a cover that embodied the sense of community and fun Opening Day inspires. She rose to the challenge with an image that contains nearly every element of the sights and feel of the first home game of the season. In her grand image are many notable (or notorious) local figures.
See if you can spot:
- Ed Beczynski (The Blarney Irish Pub)
- Toledo Mayor Mike Bell
- Crystal Bowersox
- Lee Conklin (13abc)
- Leon “Bull” Durham (Mud Hens hitting coach)
- Jamie Farr
- Former Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner
- Former Toledo Mayor Jack Ford
- Shaun Hegarty (FOX Toledo)
- Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise
CLICK TO ENLARGE: Illustration by Penny Collins
- Rep. Marcy Kaptur
- Chris Kozak (Columbia Gas of Ohio)
- Fred LeFebvre (WSPD)
- Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers coach)
- Ralph Mahalak Jr. (Monroe Dodge Superstore)
- Doni Miller (13abc)
- Dean Monske (Regional Growth Partnership)
- Muddy the Mud Hen
- Mudonna
- Racing with the Stars
Jim Flealand
Kitty Holmes
Jamie Farrmadillo
- Richard St. Jean (Hollywood Casino Toledo)
- Paul Toth (Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority)
- Samuel Wurzelbacher (“Joe the Plumber”)
- Andrew Z (Star 105)
Penny is rumored to have even worked in herself and the two faces that appear on Toledo Free Press’ Page A3 every week. You can see more of this local artist’s work at http://studio566.daportfolio.com.
There are scores of additional storylines taking place on the cover, just as there will be on Opening Day.
Enjoy this special issue, and we hope to see you at the game!
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star.
