Day one of the 23rd Annual Cubs Convention was filled with familiar faces in the same old place. This year, though, is a little different. The same hope still exists, as it does every year, but instead of a winter spent trying to build a team, the Cubs have spent the off-season trying to mold a winner and build on the momentum that saw them win the Central Division title a year ago.
As the Faithful were preparing to kickoff the annual gathering, news began to circulate the Cubs had signed Shingo Takatsu to a 1-year minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training....not quite the surprise announcement that everyone in attendance might have been expecting.
Here is the rest from the first day....
Cubs' fans of all shapes, sizes and ages flocked to the Chicago Hilton and Towers all with different agendas. There is your autograph seeker, armed with a notebook full of baseball cards in one hand and a backpack full of baseballs in the other. There is always a dozen or so older ladies with so many buttons and pins you can barely see which jersey they are wearing, like medals from all the battles they have witnessed throughout the years. Then there are the die-hards, the fans in search of as much information as they can get their hands on. But all have one thing in common, their love of the greatest game on the planet and of the Chicago Cubs.
The Opening Ceremonies was emceed by the radio voice of the Cubs, Pat Hughes. Hughes introduced several of the Cubs from yesteryear. Jody Davis, Rick Sutcliffe, Bill Buckner, Steve Trout, just to name a few, and the of Hall of Famers....Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams and of course, Mr. Cub....Ernie Banks. Ron Santo was welcomed by a thunderous applause, clearly the loudest and longest of any of the player introductions, either past or present. Hughes then turned his attention to what he called the 2008 Chicago Cubs.
Players such as Mike Fontenot, Billy Petrick, Kevin Hart, Sam Fuld and Rocky Roquet were called upon first before Hughes announced the current Cubs' roster. Mark DeRosa received one of the loudest ovations, with Derrek Lee taking the title of the loudest welcome, by the slimmest of margins over DeRosa. Rich Hill, Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry, Ted Lilly, Geovany Soto, Felix Pie and Ryan Theriot were all greeted with the same excitement as the next. Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Zambrano also received thunderous applause from the Faithful that were jammed in the Grand Ballroom.
Ryan Theriot introduced Dustin Eglseder to the crowd. He was the winner of the 7th Inning Stretch contest last season. Eglseder has battled with cancer and recently lost his right arm. He led the crowd in the old favorite with just as much energy as he did at Wrigley last year.
Lou Piniella threw out the ceremonial first pitch, after Steve Trout tossed him a ball. The lights dimmed as the large screen descended from the ceiling as the WGN production team unveiled their latest highlight reel.
This year's reel began with still photos from last season then featured the highlight film ran on WGN on their last telecast of 2007. The production then turned to the Cubs winning the Central and the celebration in Cincinnati and in Wrigleyville. But the footage from the celebration in front of Wrigley featured a very familiar face and one that I was standing next to. To our surprise, Shaun was front and center on the large screen that kicked off the fan section of the film....to say Shaun and I were shocked would be an understatement. After the kickoff was complete, it was time for Sports Central Live.
The Continental Ballroom was standing room only as Dave Kaplan interviewed the likes of Derrek Lee, Mark DeRosa, Jim Hendry, Oneri Fleita, Ryan Theriot, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Ron Santo, Pat Hughes, Glenn Beckert and Rick Sutcliffe.
Derrek Lee and Mark DeRosa
Derrek Lee and Mark DeRosa started the show. Alfonso Soriano was scheduled to attend but was absent when the show began. Lee and DeRosa talked about last season, Lou Piniella and the rumors surrounding Brian Roberts. Both said the way last season ended left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Lee stated they are ready to go further this season.
DeRosa was candid and said it was very frustrating the way the season ended. DeRosa added, "I did not feel Arizona was better than us."
Kaplan asked Lee about his power production being down last season and Lee responded with a great answer. He said the year he hit 40 home runs they did not make the playoffs and he would take hitting 22 home runs and making the playoffs anytime.
The subject of Brian Roberts was brought up to DeRosa. Kaplan asked him how he felt about the Cubs looking for another second baseman and DeRosa did not mix words, after asking did he want the politically correct answer or how he really feels. DeRosa said, "I feel like I should be the everyday second baseman."
DeRosa added he knows his versatility helps him but he thinks it hurts him as well. He said he called Jim Hendry before Christmas and "picked his brain." Derrek Lee added DeRosa wants to play everyday and said, "(DeRosa) is the most unselfish teammate he as ever been around."
Both liked the way Lou Piniella handled the team last year and DeRosa said Piniella put the team in a position to win.
Jim Hendry and Oneri Fleita
The next half of an hour was spent with Jim Hendry and Oneri Fleita. Hendry talked about what his plans are in the coming weeks, without going into many specifics. Hendry said, "We are going to try to make the team better over the next couple of weeks," and added, "What you may have heard is no reflection on Mark DeRosa." He stated he will always do what is best for the Cubs first and for the player second.
They talked about Felix Pie and Sam Fuld. Fleita mentioned Fuld's accomplishments in the AFL and Hendry said, "Sam Fuld put himself in great shape to win the job."
The two talked about the farm system and certain prospects. Hendry said they have to put their young players in position to succeed and not fail....and mentioned Corey Patterson in the same sentence. It was a very surprising remark about the former top prospect.
Fleita and Hendry talked about Tyler Colvin and brought up the season he had last year. Both appear impressed by the way Colvin can hit late in games and comes up with the big hit when his team needs it the most. Fleita talked about Colvin's ability in the field and the fact he can play all three outfield positions and said he is on the fast track to the big leagues.
They also talked about the way the rest of the league views the Cubs' farm system. Fleita said they cannot concern themselves with the way Baseball America rates their system but they have to know their own system. Fleita accepted responsibility for not knowing enough about Dontrelle Willis and allowing him to be traded to the Marlins.
Hendry finished by saying he is looking to add a right-handed bat that can play all three outfield spots and possibly platoon with Felix Pie. He said they would like to continue to add depth and another arm, if possible, before Spring Training gets underway.
Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Ryan Theriot
Dave Kaplan asked Ryan Dempster how is transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation was going. Dempster said he was one of eight pitchers that threw off the mound on Friday and added he was by far the best....remember Dempster's sense of humor. Kaplan then turned to Ted Lilly and asked him if he was throwing off the mound. Lilly said he was not but is throwing on flat ground. Kaplan then brought up the "little" glove throwing incident in Arizona.
Lilly quickly responded with, "I don't know what you are talking about," and after laughter from the crowd finished with, "I threw my 10-year old tantrum."
Ryan Theriot began to talk right around that time about pitching and was quickly quieted by Mr. Dempster. Ryan interrupted Kaplan after Theriot misused a word and reminded everyone in attendance where Theriot was from and where he went to school.
Glenn Beckert, Pat Hughes, Ron Santo and Rick Sutcliffe
The trio of Cub greats and Hughes shared stories and once again Beckert brought up several stories of his days as Santo's roommate. The banter was priceless and Sutcliffe added some perspective from his time in Arizona with the Cubs last spring. No matter how many times you hear Santo and Beckert make fun of one another, it never gets old and is always very entertaining.
Day one was, as always, a success. The crowd was fired up and ready for Opening Day.
Click Here for a Photo Gallery for Day One of the 2008 Cubs Convention
I wonder if Tyler Colvin will be given a shot at CF this Spring in addition to Felx and Sam? Hmmmm?
Maybe JH is doing what his underwear will let him. And that is not leaping over tall buildings in a single bound as in the old Hanes commercial. My 1-17 post gave JH an A or A- for Musha, Roberts and Lieber. In Lou's and JH's own words, the additions look to be Musha, Lieber and someone like Marlon Byrd--who they say could play all three outfield positions and might platoon with Pie or Fuld in center.
JH's grade now falls to C. We have a chance to win the Central, but our chance is no better than the Brewers or Cincinnati--if they add another decent starter. If they get Bedard, they win the Central.
The indicated Cubs' roster has a slim chance to do any more than win the Central. An early season trade for a Burnett, 100 HR and 300 RBI from Lee, Rameriz and Soriano, plus a couple of break through years by Hill (17 wins)and Soto (85 RBI's) would change the odds to good--but that's a lot to ask. It seems to me that, in the end, budget limitations were a real factor.
Of course we will cheer and wear the Blue proudly. And, there is one more slim chance. Maybe Lou and JH are running a game on MacPhail or another GM to get a player who could really help in a better deal. But I doubt it.
I have been visiting this site for a while, but this is my first post. I have enjoyed the insights shared here, and use it to make my winter more exciting.
I've been I've heard that Gallagher has lost 25 lbs, anyone think that this could significantly improve his chances of sticking with the team coming out of spring training? We all saw what some major weight loss did for Soto.
How much can the loss of weight reasonably strengthen Gallagher's chances and performance?
JimK, Hendry said an hour ago that Mr. Zero is a close friend of Fukudome. That is the reason he was brought in. He has not been promised anything. I will have more details later.
Barring a bunch of spring training injuries, I don't see Gallagher having much of a chance to make the Cubs out of spring training. It would be best for the Cubs and Gallagher if he started out at AAA. While a good prospect, he doesn't have dominant stuff like Lincecum, Gallardo, and Bailey (other pitchers brought up to the bigs last year) and is going to need to really learn how to pitch if he is going to have significant major league success. Right now, Gallagher is at best 8th on the depth chart behind Z, Lilly, Hill, Lieber, Dempster, Marquis and Marshall. Could he win 10 games with ERA of 4.50 now? ... maybe, but that is likely as good as it could get without more seasoning.
Can someone please post a link on here that has a photo of Mrs. DeRosa? I have never seen what she looks like, and my curiosity has now gotten the best of me. I must see her. Please!
Check out this site Adam.
http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=68382
Welcome Jay...David is right on. What Soto has done and Gallagher is doing amounts to the serious extra commitment that maximizes ability. Some players just get involved in bettering their skills and physicality.
The difference between commitment and involvement is visualized in a breakfast of ham and eggs. The chicken is involved and the pig is committed. Remember that the Faithful are committed.
okay guys...you know how I love to do my research....
enjoy the fruits of my labor....here's your picture
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/uploads/6611a.jpg
Heidi DeRosa is on the left, Teixeira's wife is next, then Rob Baraja's wife, and then Buck Showalter's old woman
Yeah, all pretty nice, save for the old bag...LOL
referencing "wedding crashers"....(motorboating on Ms. Barajas)....LOL
Re: Adam in Iowa... enjoy. The link in the first post was incorrect, no offense Roland.
http://www.kimdawsonagency.com/Index.cfm?FuseAction=ModelPage&TalentDisplayID=4&TalentID=1048&TalentGenderAgeID
=2&scrollPos=690
(editor's note: had to break the line in order for the page to load. please copy and paste above into your browser to view the link)
Aaron-
Nicely done. Thanks.
It must be rough to be a Major League baseball player...to have to come home to your mansion every night, and lay down in bed with one of those women...poor guys.
Cliff,
I went to this site for Derosa's wife's name.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2350923/bio
I did a search for that name and that is where I found the above posted site.
I was worng, it is not his wife. Thanks for correcting me Cliff.
Sorry Adam.
Roland, well if she's not Mark's wife, she sure as heck can be mine!!! ;)
Sun Times is reporting that a Cubs insider told them that a trade was agreed to this past week on a 7-for-2 deal for both Bedard and Roberts, it went to Angelos, and Angelos killed it.
Of course the Orioles are denying it so take it for what it's worth.
...but it sure would explain the Cubs' management stance now that nothing is likely to happen.
I have a proposition for JH to consider. I would be interested to hear what you all think of it.
First, forget about Brian Roberts. Offer the Orioles a package of Pie, Marshall, Gallagher and Cedeno (or Fox) for Bedard.
None but Pie is solidly in the Cub plan right now for 2008. None other than Pie is viewed as a top 3 prospect for the Cubs. The Orioles get a young centerfielder with promise, two young and talented starters (one lefty, one righty) to replace Bedard, and their choice of a young shortstop with promise or a young catcher/DH/first baseman with a very promising bat. The Cubs get an excellent young left hander who is capable of competing with Z for the #1 job.
Second, offer Ramirez and Neal Cotts to the Angels for Figgins and Reggie Willits.
Figgins has been mentioned in trade rumors for nearly two years now but any deal with the Cubs has always been contingent upon Ramirez going the other way - they absolutely love the guy. They are also hurting for lefthanders in their bullpen and Cotts just might feel more at home (& perform like it) back in the AL. Figgins is a leadoff man whose stats are close to Roberts (in some cases, even better) without the shady history (do you really believe Roberts only did it once?) and he can immediately replace Ramirez at third instead of bumping Derosa out of the everyday lineup (the way Roberts would). Other than providing the speedy leadoff hitter that the Cubs have long sought (his SB numbers are actually quite a bit better than Roberts') this deal would bring a young centerfielder (Willits) who 1) had minor league numbers as good or better than both Pie and Fuld; 2) has already proven that he can produce in the bigs; and 3) provides a very interesting platoon option because he bats right-handed while both Fuld and Pie are lefties.
I think these deals are realistic and would leave the Cubs in a better position in 2008 and beyond. Yes, you're giving up prospects in CF, SP (2), SS (or C) along with an all-star 3B and a LH RP, but you're bringing back a CF who's probably as good if not a better prospect than the one you gave up, a possible #1 (or certain #2) SP, and an extremely versatile player who happens to be one of the better leadoff men in all of baseball. You don't get any older with this move and you actually save $ (Bedard and Figgins combined don't make as much as Ramirez).
I'm just glad that some of you guys aren't really the GM of the Cubs. Sure, let's give up a still-young best 3B star we've had in 20 years there, a guy with 100 RBI's, sound glove, and strong OBP.
Really?? C'mon!
In regards to pitching, go ahead and give up a ton of prospects, and then when Bedard goes down with some injury, while we've given up 5 prospects, that'll be looked on favorably. I'll take my chances that a Gallagher, Marshall, Samardjzia, etc will get us those 12-14 wins we seek on our own terms.
Everyone chill! Grab a LaCrosse Lager (read:Old Style) and consider this...Trust Lou Pinella. His influence on the Cubs is considerable, and he's going to get his shot at another World Series before he's done. Screw the Trib writers condemning our guys, the hell with the DarkSiders. Will this be the year, who freaking knows, but all that matters is that WE MAKE IT BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS! Anything else is same ole same old.
Ryan -
The last 20 years have very little to do with 2008 and you're not going to get anything good without paying for it.
There's no doubt that Ramirez is a valuable player. He's a very good run producer and he's developed a better than average glove. That said, I worry about his durability as he gets into his thirties (he played in 132 games last year and only 123 in '05) and it isn't like you wouldn't be getting something of good value in return. You cite Aram's RBI and OBP as reason not to include him in a deal. If you look at an average 162 game season for Aram, add his rbi to his runs (subtracting his HR so as not to double count them in the total), you get 156. If you do the same with Figgins, you get 159. As for OBP, that same 162-game average season yields a .336 for Aram and .354 for Figgins. I honestly don't think it's a terrible swap straight-up if you're really badly in need of speed at the top of the order (and you are). That said, I think you could get the Angels to include Willits in the deal. They have a glut of OF's on their roster after the Hunter signing.
As far as the Bedard-for-prospects deal, all I can tell you is that prospects are just that - prospects. Not one of the guys I included in that deal has proven a thing in the big leagues. And there is always the chance that they never will. The Cubs have a long history of highly touted prospects who never panned out. How many of the guys I mentioned in the Bedard trade will end up part of that sorry history? And betting anything on Samardzija would be foolhardy - he's not even proven that he can excel in the minor leagues. And I honestly think we better be thinking about more than 12-14 wins. We're not just questionable in the 5th starter slot - we're questionable (at best) at 4 and 5. That situation looks a lot less scary with Bedard in the mix.
Big Bad Br,
I don't think your proposal is enough for Bedard ... maybe Pie, Colvin, Gallagher, and Cedeno would be enough for McFail (incorrect spelling intended), maybe not.
I think the Angels would take your Ramirez proposal, but if I were JH I wouldn't make that deal.
I'm curious as to who was involved in the rumored 7 for 2 that Angelos supposedly turned town.