Friday Evening Convention Update
by Al Yellon on Jan 16, 2009 5:23 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintI'll have more tomorrow, but I have a handful of news-type updates from the early part of the convention:
- Carlos Zambrano is going to have LASIK surgery to improve his vision. He is meeting with his eye doctor tomorrow and may have it before spring training.
- Alfonso Soriano is open to hitting in a different lineup slot. Jim Hendry says it's up to Lou Piniella where Sori hits, but reminded me that the Cubs had an outstanding W-L record when he hit leadoff.
- Both Soriano and Aramis Ramirez are doing baseball-intensive workouts in the Dominican Republic at the academy the Cubs run in that country. Hendry had encouraged them to do that and is pleased that they are, as am I -- it's even more important as a player moves into his 30's.
- Ryan Dempster had a blast playing hockey with his buddies at Wrigley Field. He said they had to turn the lights off to get them to leave. And he's going to repeat his running-up-Camelback-Mountain workouts in Arizona this spring.
More later, and will have some photos tomorrow. Off to evening convention activities.
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I am trying to do a fanshot
I am trying to do a fanshot but as of a little while ago there were rooms available tomorrow night.
I am posting this several places and if someone can make a fanshot I’ll be grateful to you as I have to leave for the airport. My plane has been delayed and I live in Park ridge so I can wait.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
thanks for the info but isn't the convention sold out?
so what good is a room if you can’t get into the convention? or does the Hilton include convention tickets with every room for this weekend?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
What if you had tickets but no room?
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
Tickets
were sold out for the Convention, but the Hilton still had rooms. If you have a room, you can get up to four tickets (at $15 each) for the Convention. The Exhibition Halls this year also seem to have a lot more empty vendor spaces than years past.
Hey Al, you sat at the table to my left. When that lady sitting next to you screamed “BINGO”, it scared the sh** out of me.
Let me preface this...
by saying that I’ve no ties to them past purchasing tickets here and there over the years, but tickets321 had an abundance of tickets available at barely past face as of this afternoon. And from looking around a bit, they didn’t appear to be the only ones.
by Damen Jackson on Jan 17, 2009 1:08 AM CST up reply actions
FWIW...
… that was a friend of mine who won. She won a Ryne Sandberg ball, one of the flags (I can’t remember which one), and a bunch of Second City stuff.
Despite ticket places having a lot of available passes, the place seems as crowded as ever.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
And
And have a good time Al.
I’m off to a bar mitzvah in Pittsburgh. Will rely on you all for info and updates.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
Uh
“Alfonso Soriano is open to hitting in a different lineup slot. Jim Hendry says it’s up to Lou Piniella where Sori hits, but reminded me that the Cubs had an outstanding W-L record when he hit leadoff.”
Uh, duh. The Cubs had an outstanding W-L record when Derrek Lee batted third. I guess he’s gonna stay there!
CUBS WIN! CUE THE ORCHESTRA!
Should Zambrano's surgury be a concern?
Good to see the Fonz is willing to move into the lineup and that he and Ramirez are working out. Gotta love Dempster!
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
Soriano has always said he's willing
It’s Lou’s decision, not his.
With the current roster, however, I’d prefer Soriano to lead off again.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
Lots of people conveniently ignore that
Soriano prefers batting leadoff but has never said he must hit leadoff.
Seriously?
If we have 7 better hitters than Soriano, we MUST be WS bound.
The Soriano hate is incredible.
I hope this is sarcasm
If not, it is rediculous the crap Soriano gets..
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
Maddux had LASIK
I clearly remember Maddux had LASIK at some point in his career and he commented that it helped him.
I had Lasik
a few years ago. It took at least a few weeks to get used to it. I imagine doing something intense like pitching would take awhile to get accustomed to it. I also have problems seeing in the dark—makes me wonder if Z might hae some trouble picking up balls in the shadows.
DEJESUS!!!
This is great Al....
you make us all feel like we are there vicariously… you rock!
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
Hyperbole?
I guess he is smarter than all the rest of us combined, right? RIIIGHT?
Hyperbole is my middle name
"Truth does not do as much good in the world as the semblance of truth does evil," - Duc de La Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 64.
Lasik?
Z seemed to be seeing the ball just fine as a hitter last year. Good to see he’s looking to gain every possible advantage, though.
Interesting they’re telling Soriano to work out and not rest. Didn’t they stop him playing winter ball the last two off seasons?
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
It wasn't just for hitting...
… I’m guessing he thinks he can see the strike zone better, too. Worked for Maddux.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
He said on CSN
that he just couldn’t see as well as he use to. He didn’t want glasses or contacts so the surgery is the route he chose.
Good updates
The update I do want to hear is on Fukudome…what is he doing to improve for 2009? If he could play center and hit like he did for the first 2 months of the season, I think on paper this 2009 team might be the best of my lifetime yet.
My only worry is bullpen depth, but there are lots of guys that could emerge or be acquired, so too early to panic with that.
amen. he should be playing softball, little league, and pick-up games in Naperville
"Just win tonight" - derv
no sports central broadcast
what kind of crap is that ?
Someday we'll go all the way.
by Cubbinstrongsince86 on Jan 16, 2009 7:22 PM CST reply actions
It was taped because of the Blackhawks game,
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 16, 2009 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
awesome
I was going to say how can you have the convention and not sports covering it.
Someday we'll go all the way.
by Cubbinstrongsince86 on Jan 16, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions
This is always the signal
that baseball is going to be coming soon. Nothing better than Chicago in the summer.
I'm finally moving on...
Aramis...
I’m glad he’s still working out hard in the offseason. He looked great last year physically; he looked like he lost some weight and his legs were stronger and he was able to avoid the DL. Good to hear.
Someday we'll go all the way...
WRIGLEYVILLE........
The place to be when the team is in town…can’t wait ….Lets hope they can all stay healthy..
Obviously you missed his episode on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.
by Bricks and Ivy on Jan 16, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
Wow that shirt is f-ing awesome.
I love it.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Actually...
It’s a great shirt — I think I own something similar — just not on a 60-something year-old man.
by Damen Jackson on Jan 17, 2009 1:10 AM CST up reply actions
consider the alternative...
you don’t really want him to take it off, do you? I mean, it’s not like he’s Lou Piniella or anything… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Actually...
I think I would actually pay to never see Ron Santo shirtless.
by Damen Jackson on Jan 17, 2009 1:22 AM CST up reply actions
from your keyboard to JDRF's ears - I smell a fundraiser for Ron's favorite charity! ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That is a Robert Graham shirt.
Robbie Gould wears them too. I like it.
http://www.metropolitanoutfitters.com/xcart/home.php?cat=801
I want to win a date with Ryan Dempster.
I may have a man-crush on the guy, but he sounds like a helluva fun. Playing hockey @ Wrigley Field and forcing the crew to turn the lights out…kinda like mom flashing the house lights telling you to come in for supper. Canadians rule.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
LASIK
Big Z is in for a great experience.
I had LASIK yesterday and less than 24 hours later I see 20/20.
I had a choice on flying to Chicago for convention or the surgery and picked surgery because it made the most sense (by a big margin).
Which is why...
… he could have it next week and easily be ready for spring training.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Hopefully
Big Z will have to adjust to night vision for a couple months. While I can see 20/20 I get halos with lights at night. Depending on how quickly he gets used to that I would not be surprised if Cubs pitched him specifically during day games for the first few months.
I never had problems with halos.
It’s possible he won’t have any problems with that. Also, I’d think his cap would keep the lights out of his eyes.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Do caps have regulations?
Maybe he can get a bigger bill or wear a fishing hat, like my mother-in-law has.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Maybe something like this would work?
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jan 17, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
Ugh!
The dreaded red x.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jan 17, 2009 12:36 PM CST up reply actions
Why would uniforms have regulations??
A fishing hat? Like, on the mound?! Maybe he could just sport a beer helmet with gatorade on each side.
I'll post more later today about the management session...
… but basically, they’re simply repeating that they’re hopeful he’ll be what he was in the first half last year. He is currently working out in Hawaii.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Hi Al
Have fun. Take photos. Share juicy gossip.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
he wont share
he will hold out on us less fortunate.
I dont care who the new owner is as long as he/she/them come equipped with a Jake Peavy and a Joe Beimel!!!
Leadoff man
Seems to me that Lou PIniella sees two options. One, stick with Alfonso Soriano, which he seems perfectly comfort doing. Two, go with Aaron Miles, which I won’t be surprised to see happen.
Aramis almost never comes to the convention.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
read somewhere (maybe BMiles blog?) that ARam doesn't like to fly
so he only flies when he has to. obviously during the season he has to, so no problems there. but off-season is the off-season, so unless it were something really special and/or emergency, I don’t think he flies much.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
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