NEWSLETTER
I could be wrong, but I don’t recall the Cubs Convention selling out in recent years – at least not in advance of the event, itself. But, riding a new wave of (justifiable) excitement, Cubs fans sold this year’s out earlier this week. The Convention is next weekend, and even if you can’t attend, there’ll be a ton of stuff here at BN, so maybe you can still feel connected.
Although weekend passes and hotel packages at the Sheraton where the Convention is taking place are sold out, there are some weekend packages available at the West Lakeshore Sheraton (which includes Convention passes).
If you’re coming to the Convention, you can look for me throughout, because I’d love to say hello. I’ll be pretty open on here and on Twitter about where I am/what I’m wearing, so hopefully you can find me in what might be an extra-large sea of people this year. We’ll also get together at Lizzie McNeill’s (a bar next door to the Convention) after the Opening Ceremonies on Friday night. If there’s enough interest, we can get together Saturday night, too. I’ve got energy for miles.
The list of confirmed players, coaches, alumni, team executives and broadcasters includes (and I’d advise against speculating about why guys may or may not be attending (too much we don’t know about travel arrangements and scheduling)):
Major League Players
Arismendy Alcantara, INF/OF
Jake Arrieta, RHP
Javier Baez, INF
Dallas Beeler, RHP
Welington Castillo, C
Starlin Castro, INF
Chris Coghlan, OF
Justin Grimm, RHP
Jason Hammel, RHP
Kyle Hendricks, RHP
Edwin Jackson, RHP
Eric Jokisch, LHP
Tommy La Stella, INF
Jon Lester, LHP
Rafael Lopez, C
Miguel Montero, C
Jason Motte, RHP
Mike Olt, INF
Blake Parker, RHP
Neil Ramirez, RHP
Anthony Rizzo, INF
Hector Rondon, RHP
Zac Rosscup, LHP
Brian Schlitter, RHP
Jorge Soler, OF
Dan Straily, RHP
Pedro Strop, RHP
Ryan Sweeney, OF
Matt Szczur, OF
Jacob Turner, RHP
Luis Valbuena, INF
Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP
Travis Wood, LHP
Minor League Players
Albert Almora, OF
Kris Bryant, INF
C.J. Edwards, RHP
Pierce Johnson, RHP
Addison Russell, INF
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF
Cubs Alumni
George Altman, INF/OF
Glenn Beckert, INF
Ryan Dempster, RHP
Bob Dernier, OF
Mark DeRosa, INF/OF
Leon Durham, INF/OF
Bob Howry, RHP
Randy Hundley, C
Fergie Jenkins, RHP
Jay Johnstone, OF
Jacque Jones, OF
Les Lancaster, RHP
Jon Lieber, RHP
Ted Lilly, LHP
Bill Madlock, INF
Gary Matthews, OF
Dave Otto, LHP, Broadcaster
Milt Pappas, RHP
Glendon Rusch, LHP
Lee Smith, RHP
Tim Stoddard, RHP
Rick Sutcliffe, RHP
Steve Trout, LHP
Billy Williams, OF
Kerry Wood, RHP
Coaching Staff
Joe Maddon, Manager
Henry Blanco, Quality Assurance Coach
Mike Borzello, Catching Coach
Chris Bosio, Pitching Coach
Eric Hinske, Asst. Hitting Coach
Brandon Hyde, First Base Coach
Gary Jones, Third Base Coach
John Mallee, Hitting Coach
Dave Martinez, Bench Coach
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, EVP/GM
Jason McLeod, SVP, Scouting & Player Development
Randy Bush, Assistant GM
Shiraz Rehman, Assistant GM
Pat Hughes, Radio Broadcaster
Ron Coomer, Radio Broadcaster, INF (2001)
Len Kasper, TV Broadcaster
Jim Deshaies, TV Broadcaster
Special Guest
Clark, Team Mascot
