NEWSLETTER
Next weekend’s Cubs Convention may have a different kind of buzz compared to recent years past (we’ll see what happens over the next week), but I still always enjoy it. Heck, sometimes it’s even more fun when folks are feisty.
Today the Cubs announced various things about CubsCon, including the list of attendees (basically every current Cub except Jon Lester and Craig Kimbrel is on there). Here’s the press release, followed by the player list:
CHICAGO – Fans will welcome back Cubs players, coaches and alumni at the 35th Annual Cubs Convention next week, January 17-19, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The 2020 Cubs Convention will include autograph opportunities, player and alumni appearances, live tapings, kid-friendly activities and more during the three-day event.
Cubs Convention kicks off Friday, January 17, at 6 p.m. CST, with the Opening Ceremony featuring player introductions and more. Following, guests will find some of their favorite Cubs alumni and future stars conducting surprise autograph signings. The event’s first day concludes with the Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster show, presented by Budweiser, a late night-style talk show featuring baseball tales, lively interviews and comedy sketches from Cubs players and executives.
Popular reoccurring Saturday sessions will be back, including Baseball Operations Update, Business Operations Update, David Ross & the Coaching Staff presented by Wintrust andthe Kids Only Press Conference presented by Advocate Children’s Hospital, hosted by Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Fans can later reminisce with Cubs alumni Darwin Barney, Reed Johnson, Miguel Montero, Geovany Soto and Travis Wood during the Welcome Back panel, hosted by Ron Coomer, followed by long-time Convention favorite Cubs Bingo presented by Budweiser and led by Wayne Messmer.
Sunday’s program features additional autograph sessions and two panels including Sunday Stories and Down on the Farm.
In addition to the sessions highlighted above, this year’s Convention includes several new activities for fans to enjoy throughout the weekend:
- New this year at the Loews Chicago Hotel, the Cubs will host a live audience for the tapings of several new videos for the Cubs YouTube channel, including a special edition of “Bae vs. Ballplayer” presented by Garrett Popcorn Shops.
- Fans can jump behind the anchor desk to produce their own Cubs highlight reel at the Marquee Sports Network Studio Experience. Fans who participate will receive a downloadable copy of their highlight reel to share on social media for the chance to win fun prizes.
- Cubs fans can vote on their favorite designs for the Wintrust Crosstown Series Cup, which will be redesigned and unveiled ahead of the start of the Cubs-White Sox series July 7-8. Post-Convention, the designs also will be available for fans to vote on at www.wintrust.com through the end of March.
- Guests can visit a dedicated social media room for giveaways, photo opportunities, special guest appearances and even recharge their mobile devices using the PowerPuck® charging system, powered by IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
- Clark’s Clubhouse will be open Saturday and Sunday only and will feature a giant coloring wall, mystery temporary tattoos, face painting, balloon artists, a prize wheel and a build your own Chicago Dog station presented by Vienna Beef.
- Convention attendees can win big while giving back to the Chicago community through the Cubs Charities 50/50 Raffle program, available for purchase Friday and Saturday only. Fans can purchase 50/50 Raffle tickets online or from a uniformed Cubs Charities ambassador during Convention. The winning ticket number will be drawn at 7 p.m. CST Saturday, January 18, and will be posted online at www.cubs.com/raffle. The winner will receive half of the net proceeds from Cubs Convention’s raffle ticket sales and the other half will benefit Cubs Charities. Fans purchasing online need to be located within the state of Illinois.
For more information and for a list of confirmed players, coaches and alumni, please visit www.cubs.com/convention. A percentage of the proceeds from Cubs Convention passes benefits Cubs Charities.
Current Players:
Adbert Alzolay
Albert Almora Jr.
Alec Mills
Anthony Rizzo
Brad Wieck
C.D. Pelham
Colin Rea
Dan Winkler
Daniel Descalso
David Bote
Dillon Maples
Duane Underwood Jr.
Ian Happ
James Norwood
Jason Heyward
Javier Báez
Jharel Cotton
José Quintana
Justin Steele
Kris Bryant
Kyle Hendricks
Kyle Ryan
Kyle Schwarber
Manuel Rodriguez
Miguel Amaya
Nico Hoerner
Robel Garcia
Ryan Tepera
Tony Kemp
Trevor Megill
Tyler Chatwood
Tyson Miller
Victor Caratini
Willson Contreras
Yu Darvish
Zack Short
Cubs Alumni:
Andre Dawson
Bill Campbell
Bill Madlock
Billy Williams
Bob Howry
Bobby Dernier
Carlos Zambrano
Darwin Barney
Dave Otto
Dwight Smith
Fergie Jenkins
Gary Matthews
Gary Matthews Jr.
Geovany Soto
Glendon Rusch
Jim Bullinger
Jody Davis
Jon Lieber
Kerry Wood
Koyie Hill
Larry Biittner
Lee Smith
Miguel Montero
Mike Fontenot
Mike Remlinger
Pete LaCock
Randy Hundley
Ray Burris
Reed Johnson
Ryan Dempster
Ryan Sweeney
Ryne Sandberg
Sean Marshall
Steve Trout
Ted Lilly
Tim Stoddard
Travis Wood
Todd Haney
