Let’s Get this Party Started – Cubs Convention is Going to be Fun, Wild and Packed
As you may or may not know – perhaps based on your level of Cubs fandom, which, if you’re here must be high, right? – Cubs Convention starts today at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Chicago. Our ‘sources’ tell us things are already getting a little crazy and the party hasn’t even officially started yet.
Evan and I are currently in Indianapolis and we’re getting ready to load up the party van and head that way. You have surely noticed that Cubs Insider has undergone a bit of a facelift that includes the addition of two awesome writers and creative dudes, Brendan Miller and Corey Freedman from Cubs Related. I too have joined forces with Cubs Insider and couldn’t be more excited. We were so excited, in fact, that we decided to celebrate with an awesomely entertaining video of the Cubs bumping their cups. Now, the party moves to CubsCon.
See below for the official press release from the Cubs. Pretty much everyone will be there and they’ll be doing everything. Hope to see you there.
CHICAGO – Fans will welcome back players and coaches from the 2016 World Series Championship team at the 32nd annual Cubs Convention this week, January 13-15, 2017, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The 2017 Cubs Convention will include autograph opportunities, new panel discussions, enhanced activities, photos with the World Series Trophy and traditional fan favorites during the three-day weekend.
Cubs Convention’s Opening Ceremony begins Friday, January 13, at 6 p.m., kicking off the weekend with player introductions on an elevated runway that will provide special VIP access for children 16-and-under. Following the Opening Ceremony, guests will find some of their favorite Cubs and young prospects conducting exciting surprise autograph signings. 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 and comedy vignettes.
Saturday’s program continues with fan favorites such as the return of Cubs Jeopardy, which features unique trivia with Cubs alumni. Popular reoccurring Saturday sessions will be back, including Baseball Operations, Cubs Business Operations Update, Joe Maddon & His Coaching Staff, Kids Only Press Conference presented by Advocate Children’s Hospital and Ricketts Family. New to Saturday’s line-up will be On the Mound presented by Wintrust, All-Star Infield presented by Wintrust and Cubs Legends. 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 Remembering ‘84.
In addition to the sessions highlighted above, the Convention includes several new and returning activities throughout the weekend for fans:
- As part of the Cubs Trophy Tour presented by State Farm, fans can take photos with the World Series Trophy throughout the weekend in the Cubs Trophy Room.
- Cubs pitchers Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Mike Montgomery and Wade Davis will discuss their 2016 season and what is on the horizon in 2017 during the On the Mound panel presented by Wintrust.
- Relive the World Series run with Cubs All-Stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Ben Zobrist during their All-Star Infield discussion presented by Wintrust.
- 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 experiences 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 for giveaways and an interactive GIF and photo booth with special guest appearances throughout the weekend.
The list of confirmed players, coaches, alumni, team executives and broadcasters includes:
| Current Players: | Current Players Continued: | Cubs Alumni Continued: |
| Albert Almora Jr., OF | Jose Rosario, RHP | Ted Lilly, LHP |
| Jake Arrieta, RHP | Addison Russell, INF | Bill Madlock, INF |
| Javier Baez, INF | Kyle Schwarber, C/OF | Gary Matthews, OF |
| Kris Bryant, INF | Pedro Strop, RHP | Sean Marshall, LHP |
| Jeimer Candelario, INF | Matt Szczur, OF | Brian McRae, OF |
| Willson Contreras, C | Rob Zastryzny, LHP | Dave Otto, LHP |
| Wade Davis, RHP | Ben Zobrist, INF/OF | Mike Remlinger, LHP |
| Brian Duensing, LHP | David Ross, C | |
| Carl Edwards Jr., RHP | Cubs Alumni: | Glendon Rusch, LHP |
| Justin Grimm, RHP | John Baker, C | Ryne Sandberg, INF |
| Kyle Hendricks, RHP | Jim Bullinger, RHP | Scott Sanderson, RHP |
| Jason Heyward, OF | Jose Cardenal, OF | Dwight Smith, OF |
| Jon Jay, OF | Jody Davis, C | Lee Smith, RHP |
| John Lackey, RHP | Ryan Dempster, RHP | Tim Stoddard, RHP |
| Jon Lester, LHP | Bobby Dernier, OF | Steve Trout, LHP |
| Miguel Montero, C | Bob Howry, RHP | Todd Walker, INF |
| Mike Montgomery, LHP | Randy Hundley, C | Billy Williams, OF |
| Felix Pena, RHP | Fergie Jenkins, RHP | Kerry Wood, RHP |
| Anthony Rizzo, INF | Jay Johnstone, OF | |
| Hector Rondon, RHP | Pete LaCock, INF/OF | |
| Coaching Staff: | Baseball Staff/Broadcasters: | Team Executives: |
| Joe Maddon, Manager | Theo Epstein, President, Baseball Operations | Tom Ricketts, Chairman |
| Mike Borzello, Catching Coach | Jed Hoyer, EVP, General Manager | Laura Ricketts, Board Member |
| Chris Bosio, Pitching Coach | Jason McLeod, SVP, Scouting | Todd Ricketts, Board Member |
| Tim Buss, Strength & Conditioning | & Player Development | Crane Kenney, President, Business |
| Coordinator | Randy Bush, Asst. General Manager | Operations |
| Franklin Font, Staff Assistant | Shiraz Rehman, Asst. General Manager | |
| Eric Hinske, Asst. Hitting Coach | Jaron Madison, Director, Player Development | Special Guest: |
| Brandon Hyde, First Base Coach | Matt Dorey, Director, Amateur Scouting | Clark, Team Mascot |
| Gary Jones, Third Base Coach | Andrew Belleson, Public Address Announcer | |
| John Mallee, Hitting Coach | Ron Coomer, Radio Broadcaster | |
| Dave Martinez, Bench Coach | Jim Deshaies, TV Broadcaster | |
| Chad Noble, Bullpen Catcher | Pat Hughes, Radio Broadcaster | |
| Lester Strode, Bullpen Coach | Len Kasper, TV Broadcaster |
A percentage of the proceeds from Cubs Convention passes benefits Cubs Charities. To date, Cubs Convention has raised more than $4 million for Cubs Charities.