After being entertained for an hour by Bobby Dernier, Tim Stoddard, Steve Trout, Jay Johnstone, Rick Sutcliffe, Gary Matthews, Scott Sanderson and Lee Smith talking about the ’84 season, the 2014 Cubs Convention wrapped up with the Sunday staple … Down on the Farm. Jason McLeod, Jaron Madison, Blake Parker, Justin Grimm, Dave Otto and Smokies’ play-by-play man Mick Gillispie discussed the Cubs’ farm system in the final session of the weekend. The Cubs are trying to attack the system with … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2014 Cubs Convention: Welcome the Cubs New Skipper Rick Renteria
Rick Renteria and a majority of his coaching staff were on hand for the second session on Saturday afternoon. Rick Renteria, Brandon Hyde (bench coach), Chris Bosio (pitching coach), Bill Mueller (hitting coach), Mike Brumley (assistant hitting coach), Gary Jones (third base coach), Eric Hinske (first base coach), Jose Castro (quality assurance coach) and Mike Borzello (catching coach) received warm welcomes. The only member of Renteria’s not in attendance was assistant pitching coach/bullpen … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2014 Cubs Convention: Cubs Business Operations Update
Crane Kenney and his business operations department was the first session of the afternoon. The Cubs President of Business Operations provided updates on the team’s finances, the TV and radio contracts and the Wrigley Field Restoration project. The Cubs’ contracts with WGN TV and Radio expire after the 2014 season. Crane Kenney is expecting to make an announcement by Opening Day about their radio partnership. Even though Pat Hughes is an employee of WGN, the Cubs have made it clear that if … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2014 Cubs Convention: Meet Cubs Baseball Management
Meet Cubs Baseball Management was next up on Saturday with Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Rick Renteria and assistant general managers Randy Bush and Shiraz Rehman. Theo Epstein stated during the session the Cubs are not done adding players to the roster this off-season. The Cubs are "always looking to add impact players at the right age." The Cubs held back spending some of their budget this winter in case an opportunity presents itself to add impact talent. The front office will likely be able to … [Read more...]
Day Two of the 2014 Cubs Convention: Ricketts Family Forum
Saturday at the Cubs Convention is filled with autograph sessions and of course wall-to-wall information. That is if one takes the time to listen. The second day of the convention is one informative session after the other where the fans can ask questions to the owners, front office and coaching staff. The second day of the Cubs Convention kicked off early Saturday morning with The Ricketts Family Forum. Tom, Laura and Todd fielded questions from the fan base during the morning and provided … [Read more...]
It’s Time for the 29th Annual Cubs Convention
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’ … [Read more...]
2014 Cubs Convention Schedule and Attendees
The Cubs and WGN released the schedule and list of attendees for the 29th Annual Cubs Convention. The convention begins Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday (Jan. 17 – Jan. 19) at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. This focus of this year’s convention is "The Party of the Century Celebrating 100 Years of Wrigley Field" and the year-long celebration the team has planned to honor the beloved park. Several members of the ’84 team are scheduled to attend the convention to mark the 30th … [Read more...]
The 2014 Cubs Convention is Right Around the Corner
The 29th Annual Cubs Convention begins in just over two weeks (Friday, Jan. 17 - Sunday, Jan. 19). For the second year the gathering will be held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. Some of the details have been released along with a partial list of Cubs’ players both past and present, management and front office staff that will be in attendance. The focus of this year’s convention will be "The Party of the Century Celebrating 100 Years of Wrigley Field." The Cubs will also honor the … [Read more...]