Category: Cubs

2008 Cubs Convention: Day 2

Today was the second day of the 2008 Cubs Convention. Brrr, it was below 0 degrees this morning as I walked to the Chicago Hilton for another day of fun. On my way out, I got a text message from my nephew, Joe who was going to meet me later.

I Scratched and Won

Friday night I was looking through all the swag and pamphlets I got on my first day and found my Scratch and Win card. The convention uses these for the high demand celebrities when it comes to autographs.

Well, I scratched my card and it said, “You are a winner!”

On the back it said to redeem it at the registration area and that’s the first thing I did Saturday morning. It turns out I won a Derrek Lee autograph and I was supposed to get in line for it at 2pm.

I wasn’t really collecting autographs this year so I sought out a dad and a kid and gave them the ticket. I told them the kid could have it as long as they didn’t sell it on Ebay. The dad emphatically said no, he wouldn’t.

And speaking of autographs:

Andy Pafko was signing autographs. I think Andy is the oldest former Cub to attend these conventions.

…and so was Jody Davis… always with a smile.

Two different players from different eras. Bill Madlock and Bob Feller.

Rich Hill signing a ball towards the end of the day.

Piniella gets thrown under the bus by an older lady

My first talk of the day was “Lou and his Crew”, essentially a Q&A with Piniella and his coaching staff.

The most humorous question was from a seemingly perturbed older lady who asked Piniella why he left his starting pitchers (she mentioned Marquis in particular) in when we were behind by 4 or 5 runs. She explained that sometimes it got her so mad she would throw things at her TV.

Piniella took it all in humor and invited her to sit next to him in the dugout so he could check with her in making decisions. The crowd responded with chants of Looouuu! Louuu!

A visit to the Tennessee Smokies booth

I stopped by the Tennessee Smokies booth and chatted with a nice woman with a terrific southern drawl. I rifled through the Smokies’ baseball card and found Chris Robinson. “Oh, he’s a great guy. He’s real nahce”, she said. I’m not surprised. Most players at or from Illinois have a good head on their shoulders.

I ended up buying the pack.

Storytelling with Cubs Legends

WGN’s “Storytelling with Cubs Legends” was my favorite of the day. With Ron Santo, Rick Sutcliffe, Lee Smith and Ernie Banks, it was fun to just listen their stories. As broadcasters, Santo and Sutcliffe were most talkative. That said, Lee Smith may have an intimidating facade while pitching but he’s quite funny behind the mike.

Looks like Sut is hamming it up for the camera.

Taking a break with the Cubscast guys

The hosts of the Cubscast podcast (well, two-thirds of them, Sneetch couldn’t make it to the Convention) had scheduled an informal get together at the hotel bar. I was due for a break by 3pm anyway so I stopped by. Sheps (right) shared photos of his recently passed kidney stone and Lou (left) and I talked a little shop.

Peoria Chiefs broadcaster Nathan Baliva stopped by the Cubscast table too. I had stopped by the Chiefs’ booth earlier in the day and got the above photo. Nathan was nice enough to do an interview on Baseball Zealot Radio last spring so it was good to see him again. It turns out he’s Sneetch’s brother, too Small world.

Cubs Pitching Clinic

The last event of Saturday was a pitching clinic put on for the kiddos. This was done with the help of Milt Pappas (left), Steve Trout (right) and Lester Strode. Fortunately, Bruce Froemming was not in attendance.

That’s all for now. Tomorrow is a light day at the convention but I do want to get some shopping done at the souvenir shops.

Many more photos at The Baseball Zealot Photo Gallery

2008 Cubs Convention: Day 1

I rolled into Chicago on the rails of Amtrak around 9:30am ready for a weekend of Cubs fun.  Zealot friend (and friend of mine) Tyler was nice enough to give up his apartment (and stay and his girlfriend’s) so I could headquarter there.  cubs conv fri 068

After dropping off my stuff and getting a bite, I walked over the Chicago Hilton.  It’s a good mile walk.  Friday was a cold day but not unbearable.  At least the sun was out and the wind was kept to a minimum.

Entering the Hilton the first time on a Cubs Convention weekend can be intimidating.  There are SO many people.  I remember that from last year so I was a little more prepared.  Lines of people everywhere because at this point, not everything is open.  Once exhibits and such start opening, it’s like the floodgates have opened.

cubs conv fri 071Anyway, I went to the proper room to get registered.  Like the seasoned pro I am, I knew exactly where to go this time and even directed a couple first-timers their way there.

Once open I took a quick walk through of the vendor booths in the exhibit halls.  I admit this is kind of fun.  “Vendor” sounds a bit corporate and in some cases that’s true.  But there are a lot baseball related organizations and small businesses that show off their wares.

When 5:00 came around, it was time for the opening ceremonies.  Alas, I watched from the overflow room so I didn’t get a first hand look at the speakers instead watching the fun on a large video screen along with a throng of others.

cubs conv fri 080 Saturday, autograph hounds will be busy hunting their ultimate goal.  These now empty queues will be lined with people.

The opening ceremonies were long pomp and circumstance and short on substance.  But that’s ok… I don’t think anyone would expect anything different.  By the way, for my money, Wayne Messmer has deepest, richest voice and he proved it in his singing of the National Anthem.

Emcee Pat Hughes then had the pleasure of introducing the Cubs players and other Cubs celebrities.  There must have been some LSU alums sitting at the table next to mine.  When both Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot were introduced, they broke into loud chants of “LSU! LSU! LSU!”

With the intros finished, a WGN-cubs conv fri 087produced video detailing the 2007 season was shown for us.  Fortunately, it left out that nasty little business with the Dbacks.

By 6:30, it was time for my interview with Eric Loy at WDWS.  I enjoy my talks with Eric (this was my second).  He seems knowledgeable on the game and definitely has opinions.  Anyway, I hope I sounded reasonably intelligent.

By then, I was ready to head back to Zealot headquarters.  Right now a Giordano’s pizza on the way while I write this.

In summary, Friday was a day of rallying the troops.  Tomorrow, a new day of talks, seminars, fun and who knows what else.

More photos of the Cubs Convention at The Baseball Zealot Photo Gallery

2008 Cubs Convention: 3 days and counting

MLB.com Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat chimes in with a piece about this weekend’s festivities. 

For those in the Champaign-Urbana area, I’ll be doing a remote interview from the convention on Eric Loy’s Sports Night talk show heard on WDWS AM1400.  Interview time is 6:30pm Friday night.

Train ticket bought… Accommodations secured… I’m ready!

2008 Cubs Convention: What’s going to happen and who will be there

The official list of players and celebrities who will be attending this year’s Cubs Convention has been released.

From cubs.com:

Ernie Banks Scott Eyre Les Lancaster   Geovany Soto
Glenn Beckert Oneri Fleita Derrek Lee Lou Piniella Tim Stoddard
Bob Brenly Mike Fontenot Ted Lilly Dan Plesac Lester Strode
Bill Buckner Sam Fuld Bill Madlock Mike Quade Rick Sutcliffe
Randy Bush Sean Gallagher Carlos Marmol Rocky Roquet Ryan Theriot
Jose Cardenal Kevin Hart Sean Marshall Larry Rothschild Alan Trammell
Tyler Colvin Jim Hendry Matt Murton Jeff Samardzija Steve Trout
Doug Dascenzo Rich Hill Dave Otto Ryne Sandberg Jerome Walton
Jody Davis Bob Howry Andy Pafko Ron Santo Daryle Ward
Andre Dawson Pat Hughes Milt Pappas Matt Sinatro Tim Wilken
Ivan DeJesus Fergie Jenkins Gerald Perry Dwight Smith Billy Williams
Ryan Dempster Len Kasper Billy Petrick Lee Smith Michael Wuertz
Bob Dernier Crane Kenney Felix Pie Alfonso Soriano Carlos Zambrano
Mark DeRosa Dave Kingman

One thing I noticed right away was that there was no Mark Grace. He showed up in 2007 and it was a big deal that he did. After many years of not coming to the Cubs Convention, he made the decision to attend in 07. And he was warmly greeted for his trouble.  Unfortunately, it looks like it might have been a one-time thing.

A few players I see that weren’t there last year… Dave Kingman, Andre Dawson and of course the new kids, Geovany Soto, Jeff Samardzija, and Sam Fuld.

The signing of Samardzija by the Cubs was actually making big news during the weekend of 2007 Cubs Convention.

Also, the schedule for the weekend came out. Again from Cubs.com:

Schedule of Events

Friday, January 18
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. – Autograph Treasure Hunt
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – WGN Radio’s “SportsCentral Live”
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – CUBS BINGO!

Saturday, January 19
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – WGN Radio’s “Meet Cubs Baseball Management”
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Injuries, Anatomy and Santo… Oh My!
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Cubs Jeopardy!
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Vine Line Presents Baseball in Latin America
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – WGN Radio’s “Not for Women Only”
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Baseball Conditioning Clinic
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Lou and His Crew
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Hitting Clinic
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – WGN Radio’s “A Day in the Life of a Major Leaguer”
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Life as a Minor
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Cubs Win, Lose or Draw
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – WGN Radio’s “Storytelling with Cubs Legends”
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – From the Stretch
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – 8-8-88… Or the Day After
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Wheelchair Cubs
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – For Kids Only Press Conference
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Cubs Forever: Celebrating 60 Years of WGN-TV and the Cubs
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – The Northside Mystique
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Pitching Clinic
8:00 p.m. – Midnight – Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue

Sunday, January 20
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Meet Cubs Business Management
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. – Baseball Hall of Fame Exhibit
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Down on the Farm

It’s a packed schedule so I’ll pick and choose. The Baseball in Latin America sounds very interesting.

By the way, I just saw the extended weather forecast for Chicago. Saturday shows a high (yes, a high) of 7 degrees and Windy. So bundle up Cub fans.

Len and Bob Bash- Jan 17

Those of you who get into town for the Cubs Convention a day early (or simply live in Chicago) can party with other Cub fans at the Len and Bob Bash at the House of Blues.  The Bash takes place Thursday Jan 17 and tickets are available at the House of Blues’ website.

It’s sponsored by broadcasters Len Kasper and Bob Brenly and will raise money for Chicago Cubs charities.  Last year, $50,000 was raised. 

This year, alternative-country group Son Volt will perform.  Doors open at 7:30pm.

Len Kasper appeared on the Cubs Closeup podcast yesterday and talked (among other things) about the event. 

Cubs Convention in Two Weeks

Cubsconv1

There’s one more indication that baseball is in the air.  Two weeks from today, the 2008 Cubs Convention begins.  I got my ticket in the mail this afternoon. 

This year’s pass, seen above, contrasts greatly from the one from last year.  The one from 2007 was a cautiously optimistic photo of new manager Lou Piniella (so new, I thought that they didn’t have a photo of him with a Cubs cap).

This year’s has a jubilant Alfonso Soriano almost leaping across the pass.  A very cool photo. 

Near as I can tell, there has been no announcement of who will be attending this year’s convention.  If I remember correctly, they usually announce this kind of stuff the week of the event.  So we have to make do with the lists of players from last year and hope that this year’s event will be similar. 

But alas, no Rod Beck.  He was pretty popular with the fans in 2007.

Check out my notes and photos from the 2007 Cubs Convention.  It was my first ever and I had a blast. 

Sandberg back as Peoria skipper… Cubs also get leftovers from the Pirates

This is relatively old news but Ryno is back as manager of the Peoria Chiefs, the Cubs Class A team.  Ryno didn’t do half bad his first year as a manager going 71-68 with the Chiefs.  And one of my New Year’s resolutions is to make it to at least one Peoria Chiefs game this year.

Also mentioned in Carrie Muskat’s article about Sandberg is that the Cubs have brought on former Bucs GM Dave Littlefield to join the scouting staff.  I did a double take when I read that then drew a deep sigh of resignation.  Todd, our resident Pirate fan, has gone on numerous rants on Littlefield on our podcast.  Find any episode that Todd is co-hosting and I’ll guarantee that he spends a few minutes on the topic. 

So we’ll see.

Padres take chance on Prior

The San Diego Padres have signed local product Mark Prior to a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives. 

Sure, I’d love to say that the Padres are crazy for signing the oft-injured right-hander who hasn’t given the Cubs any good output since 2003 but in reality the deal looks solid for both parties involved. 

One million dollars is chump change and the Padres won’t miss that.  If the incentives factor in (I don’t think the details are out) and they have to pony up, well, then Prior must have done something right.  Money aside, the most valuable thing that the Pads are giving up is a roster spot.  Assuming, they are lucky enough to use him. 

From Prior’s perspective, San Diego is the place to go.  He’s going to his boyhood home.  He pitched at University of San Diego High School.  Also, he’s going to pitch along with the best including former teammate Greg Maddux not to mention 2007 Cy Young unam Jake Peavy. 

That all said, I  don’t foresee another breakout year by him. The percentages are too much against him.  It’s said that he won’t be ready till May.  My bet is that it will be later than that. 

By the way, Baseball Musings’ David Pinto wrote an article for The Sporting News on the Prior acquisition by the Padres putting a historical spin on the signing.

Prior Interest

markprior

(Photo:Simmons/News)

While the Cubs may have given up on Mark Prior (not a difficult decision, but an “unfortunate” one, Hendry says) other teams might be willing to take the bait.  As many as twelve teams have expressed some sort of interest in the oft-injured, once-phenom. 

The Houston Astros have made an undisclosed offer.  In addition, the Nationals, Cardinals, Padres and even the Yankees and Mets have shown interest. 

I think this shows the state of good quality pitching in the majors.  Prior isn’t even throwing yet and probably won’t be ready for prime time till May.