Meet the Team, Have a Ball - Photos
Here are a few photographs from the event. It was great to walk on Wrigley and see the entire team.

For those of you who have never been on Wrigley Field this trip is worth the $300 that it costs. You are allowed to spend time on the field and take as many pictures as you like. I took a ton and tried different angles to get awesome photos. The last time I was actually on Wrigley Field was many years ago. My parents took my brother and I to a game and as we entered the first 500 kids got to enter the field. I remember my parents just letting us go, thinking how are we going to find them later. It was amazing. I remember kids picking grass and trying to save it! We got to listen to players talk and we actually shook hands with Andre Dawson as we passed by. Not much as changed, but I still got chills when I stepped onto the field....
I was shaking as I got my ball signed by all of them. It was a great day...here are some of my photos...
The ivy is coming in nicely! :)

Most players were in a pretty good mood.

I ran into Len on the way out...he was very nice and stopped for a picture.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Absolutely awesome
Great pictures of the field. Very unique angles. My dad is a photography geek, and though not a huge Cubs fan, I know he would enjoy having the opportunity to take pictures at such a venue.
I know for some functions, they put people’s name out there on the scoreboard. Did they do that for this? I see “Cameron Clark” out there, sounded like someone’s name. It’d be cool to see “Ryan Sparks” on the scoreboard…
I would be absolutely speechless if I got to meet these guys. When I met Billy Williams at the Convention this year, I was star-struck. I barely managed to tell him that I drove up from Mississippi, and lived not too far from where he grew up. Gotta be one of the best days of my life (soon to be surpassed by my wedding Saturday, I guess….).
by sparky39762 on May 14, 2008 5:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Yes...
They put up whatever name you want. Each year we pick a new name that way we can print off a picture for family members who are cub fans!
It was so much fun! I’m having fun with photoshopping some of my pictures too!
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on
May 14, 2008 5:11 PM CDT
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I've gone in the past
I’ve gone to this before it is an awesome event. I honestly recommend knowing it’s hard putting out the 300 it might be worh it to start setting a goal of putting aside a certain amount every 2 weeks or something and you might be able to swing it.
My family has a Cubs event fund we put a little money into every week so we can go to these kind of events. But this year we’re going to Pittsburgh for a Bar Mitzvah tomorrow (its happening this weekend) and we were originally going to leave yesterday. By the time we changed our plans it was sold out.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by cubstoseriesby100 on May 14, 2008 5:18 PM CDT 0 recs
Great job out of you!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
by mrcubsfan on May 14, 2008 5:23 PM CDT 0 recs
I wish...
I could go. It looks like a lot of fun. BTW, you took nice pictures.
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 14, 2008 5:35 PM CDT 0 recs
Those first two pictures are going into my wallpaper colelction.
by californiachicagoan on May 14, 2008 5:50 PM CDT 0 recs
You mean...
not Len and ME! hahah
I have a few more artsy ones I can post for you if your intrested!
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on
May 14, 2008 5:52 PM CDT
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lemon20pie
we are waiting for your judgment as to this fanpost’s worthiness. let us know at your convenience.
game over! - ARAM FOR MVP on May 5, 2008 7:32 PM EDT (down 3-0 to the Reds in the 1ST INNING)
by joeschmitt on May 14, 2008 6:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Nice, very nice :^)
Good pics akbeck98…If you have more, post them in the fanshots section.
by blackhawk24 on
May 14, 2008 10:27 PM CDT
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Ryuji
Did Ryuji sign, too? Was Kosuke very talktative?
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
by 08Cubs on May 14, 2008 6:22 PM CDT 0 recs
No Ryuji
didn’t sign..haha
Fukudome was pretty into the signing. When I said hello he nodded and said hi, then after he signed the ball I said thank you and he clearly said your welcome. I am sure he knows may of the common phrases. I am sure some people talked to Ryuji and got to ask a question. I was too nervous to attempt that!
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on
May 14, 2008 6:31 PM CDT
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Just Wait
In another year or so Ryuji will be huge in his own right.
What a sweet job he’s got.
The Artist Formerly Known as Chris
by 08Cubs on
May 14, 2008 6:42 PM CDT
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Can someone plz post more information on this?
Im very interested in doing this with a friend and would love more info on when and how to get there would be.
Thx in advance.
Awesome pictures, major jealousy
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
My 08 W.Sox record 0-2 (I havent seen a sox win in 3 years)
Updated April 26th
by Rudey on May 14, 2008 6:37 PM CDT 0 recs
It happens every year....
They sell the tickets for $300, we did ours at the convention, but they post information on the website and they talk about it during the games. It happens each year in May.
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on May 14, 2008 6:41 PM CDT 0 recs
Ty
so i gotta wait till next year.
Gotta remember this would be an expierence of a lifetime.
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
My 08 W.Sox record 0-2 (I havent seen a sox win in 3 years)
Updated April 26th
by Rudey on
May 14, 2008 9:13 PM CDT
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Experience
My 08 Cubs record 4-0
My 08 W.Sox record 0-2 (I havent seen a sox win in 3 years)
Updated April 26th
by Rudey on
May 14, 2008 9:13 PM CDT
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re: Ty
so i gotta wait till next year.
Now where have I heard that before?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on
May 15, 2008 11:30 AM CDT
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ha ha ha
"I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew!"
by lostinthevines on
May 16, 2008 6:44 AM CDT
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autographs?
Wow this sounds amazing! How many players attended the event and how easy was it to get autographs? I would love to get some jerseys signed to hang in my basement!
by chipwood23 on May 14, 2008 11:06 PM CDT 0 recs
I think...
...they limit the autographed item to just a baseball. Maybe someone else can verify this, but I think that’s the thing – meet the team, have a ball. As for the other questions, I am pretty sure the entire team was there, and everyone that paid got autographs.
With a jersey, your best bet may be the Convention in January. Not gonna go into great detail about it, but you wait in line for players’ autographs, tix are $50 each, and don’t expect to get DLee, Zambrano, Soriano, etc unless you are lucky and get a scratch-off with their name on it. However, you do get a lot of autographs – a TON of former Cubs there, too. We went this year and I got my Billy Williams jersey signed.
by sparky39762 on
May 15, 2008 1:54 AM CDT
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sparky39762 is correct.
At this event you get ONE baseball for the entire team to sign; that’s kind of the point of the event and why they call it what they do.
My understanding is that everyone was there except Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis. Marquis didn’t attend because he was that day’s starting pitcher—usually whoever is scheduled to start that day has preparation to do and so can’t. I’m not sure why Ted Lilly wasn’t there.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
May 15, 2008 8:33 AM CDT
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Two words: Batting practice.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on
May 15, 2008 11:30 AM CDT
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you are right
No one mentioned Lilly not being there. It was expected that night’s starter would be absent.
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on
May 15, 2008 3:57 PM CDT
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Beautiful photos..
What kind of camera/lenses?
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball"
by Bump Bailey on May 14, 2008 11:17 PM CDT 0 recs
You get...
Only the ball signed and everyon but that night’s starting pitcher is there. However this year Marquis and Lilly were both absence. It’s all for Cubs Care, so I think that is why all the players have to be there.
As for the type of camera it’s just a sony cybershot 7.2 camera.
Tonight I will post a few more pics in the fanshots.
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on May 15, 2008 6:07 AM CDT 0 recs
Great pics!
I went to this event in 2004. If you can afford it, it’s well worth your time. Glad you enjoyed it!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on May 15, 2008 7:40 AM CDT 0 recs
These pictures are great
Thanks for these.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on May 15, 2008 10:27 AM CDT 0 recs
Those pics are great...
...and that event sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing.
By the way, how did the grass feel? Was it spongy?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on May 15, 2008 11:34 AM CDT 0 recs
Not really
The field felt pretty firm. The grass was like the most perfect grass. I wish I could have it in my yard! haha
"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on
May 15, 2008 3:56 PM CDT
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The Cubs
The Cubs have always excelled in special events and such. They are probably one of the most copied teams in sports.
Now let’s start doing things on the field other teams want to copy!
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by cubstoseriesby100 on May 15, 2008 7:15 PM CDT 0 recs
The grass
I’ll never forget the first time I walked on Wrigley Field. It was one of those clinic thingies.
We are all waiting for that glorious October night when we finally win it all. Until then we will continue to cheer, never do the wave and hope.
by cubstoseriesby100 on May 15, 2008 7:18 PM CDT 0 recs
More pictures







"I’ll try to do anything to win a game." - My Man....BIG Z
by akbeck98 on May 15, 2008 8:11 PM CDT 0 recs
Really cool perspective on the ivy shots.
Unless I scrape together $300 and get out to one of these events, that may be the closest I ever get!
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
by dat cubfan daver on
May 16, 2008 9:30 AM CDT
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I Bet the grounds keeper loved that
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"
Steve Prefontaine
by cublee on May 15, 2008 10:00 PM CDT 0 recs
have a ball
im jealous as hell.i,d pay the 300 in a second.maybe the rays should do this here in tampa.see you guys next month
by NOMAR on May 17, 2008 5:49 AM CDT 0 recs
Fantastic photos.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience.
by sue369 on May 18, 2008 8:44 PM CDT 0 recs



















