Friday Evening Convention Update

by Al on Jan 16, 2009 5:23 PM CST in News Comment 60 comments

I'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.

0 recs | Comment 60 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

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)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 16, 2009 5:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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..."

by ballhawk on Jan 16, 2009 6:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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

by JohnM on Jan 16, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

a ha... the plot thickens...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 16, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by giddyup on Jan 17, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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

by Al on Jan 17, 2009 7:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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)

by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 16, 2009 5:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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!

by Keith on Jan 16, 2009 5:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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..

by Chanman25 on Jan 16, 2009 5:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If anything on the balance its a minor cause for optimism.

by reprisal on Jan 16, 2009 5:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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

by JohnM on Jan 16, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of people conveniently ignore that

Soriano prefers batting leadoff but has never said he must hit leadoff.

by rlpete on Jan 17, 2009 7:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bat him 8th

"Just win tonight" - derv

by derv on Jan 17, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously?

If we have 7 better hitters than Soriano, we MUST be WS bound.

The Soriano hate is incredible.

by Boom Town on Jan 17, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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..

by Chanman25 on Jan 17, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maddux had LASIK

I clearly remember Maddux had LASIK at some point in his career and he commented that it helped him.

by jeff_pico on Jan 16, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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!!!

by tomas21 on Jan 16, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for

the updates. Look forward to more.

by sue369 on Jan 16, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Emelie on Jan 16, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hyperbole?

I guess he is smarter than all the rest of us combined, right? RIIIGHT?

by Boom Town on Jan 16, 2009 7:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by Emelie on Jan 17, 2009 3:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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

by JohnM on Jan 16, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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

by Al on Jan 16, 2009 11:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by sue369 on Jan 17, 2009 6:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by jeff_pico on Jan 16, 2009 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

amen. he should be playing softball, little league, and pick-up games in Naperville

"Just win tonight" - derv

by derv on Jan 17, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

It was taped because of the Blackhawks game,

don’t worry, you can listen tomorrow from 4 PM to 6 PM .

Link

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 16, 2009 8:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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...

by slocs55 on Jan 16, 2009 7:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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...

by CubsBullsBears on Jan 16, 2009 7:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

WRIGLEYVILLE........

The place to be when the team is in town…can’t wait ….Lets hope they can all stay healthy..

by cubs north on Jan 16, 2009 9:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who dressed Santo?

Yikes

by dmlichte on Jan 16, 2009 10:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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.

by dtpollitt on Jan 16, 2009 11:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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..."

by ballhawk on Jan 17, 2009 1:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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..."

by ballhawk on Jan 17, 2009 1:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That is a Robert Graham shirt.

Robbie Gould wears them too. I like it.

http://www.metropolitanoutfitters.com/xcart/home.php?cat=801

by sue369 on Jan 17, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by dtpollitt on Jan 16, 2009 11:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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).

by ak123 on Jan 16, 2009 11:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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

by Al on Jan 17, 2009 7:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by ak123 on Jan 17, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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

by Al on Jan 17, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by chilango2 on Jan 17, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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.

by Boom Town on Jan 17, 2009 1:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm curious also

has anything been said about Fukudme?

by iowacubfan69 on Jan 17, 2009 8:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

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

by Al on Jan 17, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs