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 … [Read more...]
Cubs Release List of Attendees for 31st Annual Convention
The Cubs released the list of attendees for the 31s Annual Cubs Convention that gets underway next week, Friday, Jan. 15 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The annual convention will feature more than 75 Cubs players, coaches, staff, alumni and prospects. Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey are on the list of current players for the Convention. Anthony Rizzo, Jake Arrieta, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Adam … [Read more...]
Ryan Dempster’s Top 10 Reasons the Cubs Hired Joe Maddon
Instead of jumping right back into the news, notes and rumors of the day, it seemed more appropriate to smile a little bit first. The tributes and unbelievably kind words for Mr. Ernie Banks, the player and more importantly the person, will continue for several days and the weeks and months ahead. Ryan Dempster returned to the organization, signed a one-day contract with the team and retired as a Cub before officially taking a job in the front office as a Special Assistant to Theo Epstein … [Read more...]
Wrigley Field Under Cubstruction was Main Focus of Cubs Business Operations Update
The fourth session attended during the second day of Cubs Convention was the Business Operations Update with Crane Kenney and his side of the Cubs front office. The main focus of the session was on the Wrigley Field Restoration and Expansion Project and Crane Kenney confirmed the bleachers will not be completed by Opening Night, April 5 against the Cardinals. “As a result our current target date for opening left field is early May and our target for opening right field is late … [Read more...]
Day Three of the 2015 Cubs Convention: Jason McLeod, Jaron Madison and Four Cubs Prospects from the Farm
The 30th Annual Cubs Convention concluded Sunday with the traditional focus on the farm system. Mick Gillispie hosted the hour-long session that featured Jason McLeod, farm director Jaron Madison and four of the top prospects from the system: RHP C.J. Edwards, RHP Pierce Johnson, C/OF Kyle Schwarber and INF Addison Russell. In front of a standing room only crowd, the panel answered questions from the fan base. Jason McLeod said RHP Armando Rivero will be in big league camp on a non-roster … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2015 Cubs Convention: Meet Joe Maddon
Day two of the 30th Annual Cubs Convention continued Saturday afternoon with one of the more entertaining sessions of the weekend … Joe Maddon and his coaching staff. The Cubs new skipper was front and center and did not disappoint during the hour-long session. Joe Maddon has a dynamic personality and as predicted he worked the packed ballroom. With the exception of Henry Blanco, Maddon’s entire staff attended and once host Lin Brehmer was set straight on the coaching assignments, each … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2015 Cubs Convention: Baseball Operations with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer
Saturday’s second session was Meet Cubs Baseball Management. Josh Liss and Ron Coomer hosted the hour-long discussion with Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and assistant General Managers Randy Bush and Shiraz Rehman. There was little interaction with the extremely large crowd as the front office spent a majority of the session answering questions from the hosts. Theo Epstein joked that confidence is very high right now because the team is undefeated. The Cubs really like Welington Castillo and … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2015 Cubs Convention: Ricketts Family Forum
Day two of the 2015 Cubs Convention began with the Ricketts Family Forum. Tom, Laura and Todd Ricketts spent the first hour talking about the year that was, Wrigley Field and answering questions from fans in the packed ballroom. Pete Ricketts could not attend the convention this year he was elected Governor of Nebraska. The Cubs contemplated playing home games at Miller Park for two years during the Wrigley Field Restoration Project, but decided against it. Tom Ricketts confirmed the … [Read more...]
Day One of the 2015 Cubs Convention: Let’s Go! The Excitement and Optimism is Back
The 2015 Cubs Convention got underway Friday afternoon at Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. And this convention is already much different than recent years’ gatherings. For the first time in five years there was a buzz running through the hotel hallways. Those that had been waiting to root on the Cubs were back in droves and pointing toward the upcoming season as just the beginning for the young team with the same excitement as a child on Christmas morning. The Cubs are focused on winning … [Read more...]
It’s Time for the 30th Annual Cubs Convention
The original fan convention begins Friday, or as Harry Caray referred to it “Unofficial Opening Day.” The Cubs kick off the 2015 baseball season with the 30th Annual Convention, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just over a month. The 2015 Cubs Convention starts Friday at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and runs through Sunday (Jan. 16-18). Len Kasper is emceeing Opening Ceremonies this year and will welcome players from the current team, alumni and prospects. Plus, … [Read more...]