Harry Caray referred to the Cubs Convention as the “Unofficial Opening Day” and most call the convention the “Kick Off to Spring Training.” But the bottom line is Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in 27 days (Feb. 13) and baseball is just around the corner.
The 2014 Cubs Convention begins Friday at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and runs through Sunday (Jan. 17 – Jan. 19). Pat Hughes will once again have the honor of kicking off the convention by introducing Cubs’ players from the past, present and future as well as new manager Rick Renteria and his coaching staff.
The Cubs Convention is the original ‘fan fest.’ Every other team ‘borrowed’ from John McDonough’s concept that is nearly 30 years old. Those that have never attended a convention is in for an experience they will not forget any time soon and the same can be said for the organization’s prospects that will be attending their first Cubs Convention.
The focus this weekend is intended to be on Wrigley Field and the Cubs’ plans for the year-long celebration to honor the cherished ballyard. But the questions from the fan base should center on the team’s radio and TV contracts and where the Cubs are in their negotiations with the rooftop owners so the Wrigley Field Restoration project can finally begin. The Cubs are expected to address their radio and TV partnerships on Saturday.
The sessions with the Ricketts family, Baseball Operations and Business Operations on Saturday should be very interesting. And hopefully the front office and ownership will provide answers to all of the questions.
I will provide recaps of all of the sessions I attend and will be tweeting as much information as I can from the convention … so follow ChicagoCubsOnline on Twitter: @TheCCO.
29th Cubs Convention Schedule
Friday, January 17
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Opening Ceremonies
7:00pm – 10:00pm – The David Kaplan Show – Simulcast on 720 WGN
- 7:00pm – 7:30pm – Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer
- 7:30pm – 8:00pm – Darwin Barney, Anthony Rizzo, Nate Schierholtz
- 8:00pm – 8:30pm – Edwin Jackson, Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood
- 8:30pm – 9:00pm – Rick Renteria, Bill Mueller
7:15pm – 8:00pm – Autograph Hunt Game
8:00pm – 10:00pm – Film Premiere – “100 Years of Wrigley Field”
Saturday, January 18
9:00am – 10:00am – The Ricketts Family Forum
10:00am – 11:00am – Meet the Cubs Baseball Management – Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Randy Bush, Shiraz Rehman
10:30am – 11:30am – Cubs Jeopardy – Wrigley Field 100 – Pat Hughes, Dave Otto
11:30am – 12:30pm – Scouting and Player Development – Jason McLeod, Joe Bohringer, Matt Dorey, Jaron Madison
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Meet the Rookie Development Program – Cubs Top Prospects
12:45pm – 1:45pm – For Kids Only Press Conference – Jake Arrieta, Darwin Barney, Anthony Rizzo, Nate Schierholtz, Travis Wood
1:30pm – 2:30pm – Cubs Business Operations Update – Updates on Wrigley Field, Radio and TV Contracts
2:00pm – 3:00pm – Not For Women Only – James Russell, Jeff Samardzija, Pedro Strop, Ryan Sweeney
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Coaching the Cubs – Rick Renteria and the Cubs Coaching Staff
4:00pm – 6:00pm – WGN Radio’s Sports Central – Jim Memolo, Glen Kozlowski
- 4:00pm – 4:30pm – Carlos Villanueva, Jose Veras
- 4:30pm – 5:00pm – Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro
- 5:00pm – 5:30pm – Jake Arrieta, Jeff Samardzija
- 5:30pm – 6:00pm – Nate Schierholtz, Donnie Murphy
4:30pm – 5:30pm – Cubs Family Feud
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Celebrating 100 Years of Wrigley Field
8:00pm – 10:00pm – Cubs Bingo
Sunday, January 19
9:00am – 10:00am – 30-Year Anniversary of the 1984 Team
10:30am – 11:30am – Down on the Farm – Jason McLeod, Jaron Madison, Justin Grimm, Blake Parker
Follow ChicagoCubsOnline on Twitter: @TheCCO and @TheCCO_Minors
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