The Cubs released a list of sessions and attendees for the 31st Annual Cubs Convention, which begins next Friday (Jan. 15-17) at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
National League Manager of the Year Joe Maddon, his coaching staff, players from the current Cubs roster, alumni and prospects will attend this year’s convention that includes autograph opportunities, new panel sessions, enhanced activities and traditional fan favorites during the three-day weekend.
Current players such as Anthony Rizzo, NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, NL Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Jason Hammel, Kyle Hendricks and Miguel Montero along with minor leaguers Jeimer Candelario and Dan Vogelbach are expected at the weekend event.
Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, John Lackey and Adam Warren are also on the list of attendees for the Convention.
Ryne Sandberg makes his return to the Convention. Hall of Famers Billy Williams and Fergie Jenkins, along with 1984 NL Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe and Kerry Wood headline the list of Cubs alumni for the weekend event.
Weekend Passes and hotel packages for the 31st Annual Cubs Convention are sold out.
The 2016 Cubs Convention will feature more than 75 guests comprising of the current Cubs roster and coaching staff, alumni, Minor Leaguers, broadcasters and team executives who will interact with fans Jan. 15-17.
Cubs Convention’s Opening Ceremony begins Friday, January 15, at 6 p.m., kicking off the weekend with player introductions on an elevated runway that will provide special VIP access to children 16-and-under. Following the Opening Ceremony, guests will find some of their favorite Cubs and young prospects signing autographs for an exciting Surprise Signing Game. The event’s first day concludes with a special Friday Night with Ryan Dempster show presented by Budweiser, featuring interviews with Cubs players, coaches and alumni, comedy vignettes and interactive games.
Saturday’s program continues with fan favorites such as the return of Cubs Feud and Cubs Jeopardy, which features unique trivia with Cubs alumni. Popular reoccurring Saturday sessions will be back, including Baseball Management, Cubs Business Operations Update, Joe Maddon & His Coaching Staff, Kids Only Press Conference presented by Advocate Children’s Hospital, Life Off the Field, Meet the New Cubs and Ricketts Family. The evening will conclude with long-time Convention favorite Cubs Bingo presented by Budweiser and led by Wayne Messmer.
Sunday’s program concludes with additional autograph sessions and panels including Down on the Farm and Once a Cub, Always a Cub.
In addition to the sessions highlighted above, the Convention includes several new and returning activities throughout the weekend for fans:
• Fans can check out the Cubs in Cooperstown panel for a chance to listen to Cubs Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams chat about their lives in baseball and what it means to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber will share their first-season experiences in the big leagues with fans during the Rock Star Rookies panel presented by Wintrust.
• Cy Young winners Jake Arrieta, Fergie Jenkins and Rick Sutcliffe will answer fan questions and relive their award-winning seasons as part of the Cy Young Winners session.
• Clark’s Clubhouse will host fun games, face painting, caricatures, balloon artists, a coloring station, inflatable T-ball and inflatable speed pitch.
• Cubs Charities, located again this year on the main lobby floor, will feature a variety of items and opportunities for sale, including private player meet-and-greets, baseballs, ball cubes, autographed mystery baseballs, grab bags and a garage sale. The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation will host a raffle as well.
• Guests can visit a dedicated social media area, featuring giveaways, charging stations, an interactive photo print station and special player visits throughout the weekend.
31st Cubs Convention Sessions
Friday, Jan. 15
- Opening Ceremonies
- Friday Night with Ryan Dempster
- Surprise Signing Game
Saturday, Jan. 16
- Ricketts Family Forum
- Cubs Jeopardy
- Cubs Feud
- Meet Cubs Baseball Management
- Meet the New Cubs
- Joe Maddon and His Coaching Staff
- For Kids Only Press Conference
- Cubs Business Operations Update
- Life Off the Field
- Cubs in Cooperstown
- Rock Star Rookies
- Cy Young Winners
- Cubs Bingo
Sunday, Jan. 17
- Once a Cub, Always a Cub
- Down on the Farm
Session Times will be updated as information becomes available
Scheduled List of Attendees for the 31st Annual Cubs Convention
Current Players:
- Andury Acevedo, RHP
- Arismendy Alcantara, INF/OF
- Jake Arrieta, RHP
- Javier Baez, INF
- Dallas Beeler, RHP
- Rex Brothers, LHP
- Kris Bryant, 3B/OF
- Trevor Cahill, RHP
- Jeimer Candelario, 3B
- Carl Edwards Jr., RHP
- Justin Grimm, RHP
- Jason Hammel, RHP
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP
- Jason Heyward, OF
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Eric Jokisch, LHP
- John Lackey, RHP
- Jon Lester, LHP
- Miguel Montero, C
- Edgar Olmos, LHP
- Neil Ramirez, RHP
- Clayton Richard, LHP
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Hector Rondon, RHP
- David Ross, C
- Zac Rosscup, LHP
- Addison Russell, SS/2B
- Kyle Schwarber, C/OF
- Jorge Soler, OF
- Pedro Strop, RHP
- Matt Szczur, OF
- Dan Vogelbach, 1B
- Adam Warren, RHP
- Travis Wood, LHP
- Ben Zobrist, INF/OF
Cubs Alumni:
- John Baker, C
- Jose Cardenal, OF
- Ryan Dempster, RHP
- Bobby Dernier, OF
- Scott Eyre, LHP
- Randy Hundley, C
- Fergie Jenkins, RHP
- Jon Lieber, RHP
- Ted Lilly, LHP
- Bill Madlock, 3B
- Dave Otto, LHP, Broadcaster
- Ryne Sandberg, 2B
- Scott Sanderson, RHP
- Lee Smith, RHP
- Tim Stoddard, RHP
- Rick Sutcliffe, RHP
- Steve Trout, LHP
- Billy Williams, OF
- Kerry Wood, RHP
Coaching Staff:
- Joe Maddon, Manager
- Mike Borzello, Catching Coach
- Chris Bosio, Pitching Coach
- Tim Buss, Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Eric Hinske, Asst. Hitting Coach
- Brandon Hyde, First Base Coach
- Gary Jones, Third Base Coach
- John Mallee, Hitting Coach
- Dave Martinez, Bench Coach
- Chad Noble, Bullpen Catcher
- Lester Strode, Bullpen Coach
Team Executives:
- Tom Ricketts, Chairman
- Laura Ricketts, Board Member
- Todd Ricketts, Board Member
- Theo Epstein, President, Baseball Operations
- Crane Kenney, President, Business Operations
Baseball Staff/Broadcasters:
- Jed Hoyer, Executive VP/General Manager
- Jason McLeod, Senior VP, Scouting & Player Development
- Randy Bush, Assistant GM
- Shiraz Rehman, Assistant GM
- Jaron Madison, Director, Player Development
- Ron Coomer, Radio Broadcaster
- Jim Deshaies, TV Broadcaster
- Pat Hughes, Radio Broadcaster
- Len Kasper, TV Broadcaster
Special Guest:
- Clark, Team Mascot
And a majority of the Cubs minor league affiliates are scheduled to have team representatives in attendance … Iowa Cubs, Tennessee Smokies, Myrtle Beach Pelicans and South Bend Cubs.
A percentage of the proceeds from Cubs Convention benefits Cubs Charities. To date, Cubs Convention has raised more than $4 million for Cubs Charities.