Dempster Foundation Fundraiser At House Of Blues
by Al Yellon on Jul 22, 2010 7:30 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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The "casino floor" at the Dempster Foundation fundraiser
Wednesday night at the House of Blues, Ryan Dempster was joined by all of his teammates, Cubs executives, various members of the media and several hundred other people dressed in Vegas glitz style in a "Casino Night" fundraiser for the Dempster Family Foundation, which Ryan founded last year after his daughter Riley was born with DiGeorge Syndrome, or "22q11.2 deletion".
The night included silent and live auctions; a monitor that showed up-to-the-minute bids on various silent auction items indicated that Cubs players including Carlos Silva, Xavier Nady and John Grabow were the leading bidders on some of them.
Dempster's wife Jenny was there along with Riley, who looked like any other cute 15-month-old baby. The Dempsters are doing an amazing job helping their daughter have a normal life despite this syndrome, and started the foundation to help other families and kids with this issue. You can donate to the foundation by ordering a BCB T-shirt from Strange Cargo in Chicago (or stopping by their store at 3448 N. Clark). $8 from every shirt goes to the Foundation (and zero goes to me, in case you were wondering).
After the jump, some more photos from this event -- apologies in advance for the quality of some of them, as I forgot my regular camera and had to do all of these via cellphone camera. Later today, as promised, my post about the future of the Cubs' manager's chair.
Ryan Dempster at the microphone
Dempster and Ryan Theriot cracking jokes
Randy Wells -- the red things around his neck are strips of raffle tickets
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Looks like a great event, Al.
Any idea how many people attended? Early returns on how much money was raised?
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
It looked like it could have been 500-750 people.
On the monitor that showed preliminary bids on the silent auction, there was at least $35,000 listed as bids. That was even before the live auction (which had higher ticket items).
If I find out the exact amount raised I’ll post it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That looks like a really fun night
Hope Demp rasied a bunch of money.
I’m going to let someone else make a comment about Gorz’s photo.
DEJESUS!!!
Looking fly Cubs.
I hope there is going to be videos on Youtube.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
I swear, Gorzo has got to beTom Wilson's brother or something
(Back to the future, for all of you too young to have seen it)
More likely son. They're 23 years apart.
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jul 22, 2010 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry. And 1980 was three decades ago!
One of Lee Elia's 15%
by waiting4cubs on Jul 22, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Let's make it 2 1/2 decades.
Back to the Future came out in 85.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
Good thing no game today, beer looked plentiful.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Fontenot likes beer
Who can begrudge the boys a few drinks after all that has happened this season? Besides, it was for a good cause.
I had a photo of Carlos Marmol but it's too blurry to post.
Also, Carlos Silva is a really, really, REALLY big guy.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Curious about player interaction.
I’m just curious if Ramirez was there or not. I remember the rumor you had about him and the other Latin players “walling” themselves off. Was this the case last night? You mention Silva and Marmol, I’m curious if anything you saw last night supported your earlier theory about a division along ethnic lines in the clubhouse.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 10:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Al does say in his recap
that Ryan was joined by “all” his teammates.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
Thanks, Sue, I read that too. I was wondering if Al saw anything specifically that supported the previous gossip he had heard.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 10:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I did not see Aramis there.
But I also didn’t see Colvin, Nady, Stevens, and a number of others.
I did see Soto, Silva and Marmol.
I do not believe that anything I would have seen or not seen at a fundraising event would have supported or disproven the previously posted information. You’re trying to stir up something here, in my view, that did not exist.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ironic you would accuse me of trying to "stir things up."
You had reported before that there was a rift between the Latin players and their teammates. That is why it made me wonder if you saw anything that substantiated the previous rumors. I take it from your response that everyone appeared to be getting along splendidly. That’s good to know.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 11:04 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Again...
… I repeat:
I do not believe that anything I would have seen or not seen at a fundraising event would have supported or disproven the previously posted information.
You never come here to participate in the discussion, only to try to disprove or complain about something I’ve posted. I think I’d take you more seriously if you participated otherwise.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Just wanted to know if you had anything to verify your previous rumor.
If your story about Latin players “walling” themselves off had been true then I wouldn’t expect them to show up at Demp’s fundraiser. Anyone not showing up wouldnt really mean anything one way or another. I know you pride yourself on being an observant guy so I was curious what you observed first hand. It sounds like
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 12:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
It sounds like Demp's teammates showed up and were supportive.
Again, glad there were no signs of the previous division many were so sure of.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 12:28 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Again, from what I saw it was a fine event and yes, everyone got along.
Doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t clubhouse issues. Doesn’t mean there are, either. My point was and is that an event like this isn’t reflective of other activity.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
When Theriot plays craps...
does he double clutch every roll?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 22, 2010 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Had Aramis been there and interacting with his teammates it would have been counter to the accusations made on this blog that he and other latins had "walled" themselves off from teammates.
I would say that any player present last night obviously isn’t trying to alienate himself from his teammates. I am not however stating the opposite that failure to attend means anything about team relations. You claimed that your source had observed a division in the clubhouse and if that were true then these men wouldn’t be out socializing with one another. This was an event for a teammate so any teammates that did show obviously support Demp which would be counter to the clubhouse division given credence here. If you are going to accuse players of not getting along then it seems only fair that you let us know how they seemed to be getting along when you had direct contact.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you have a point or just pointless insults?
I thought Al didn’t condone personal attacks. I guess that only pertains to people that agree with him. I guess I shouldn’t bother commenting unless I have some good gossip to spread.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions
No
You are just acting like you either have an axe to grind with Al, or have nothing better to do that try to poke holes in a story about a charity dinner. Either way I’m sure you have more productive things you could be doing.
DEJESUS!!!
Lecturing me probably isn't the most productive use of your time.
What Al has said about this event seems perfectly logical and legitimate, I certainly don’t question it. I only asked him to offer more information on what he observed because I do actually believe what he has to say about what he witnessed. A few weeks back players were accused of walling themselves off. The fact that some of those players attended this event seems to poke holes in the clubhouse gossip that you spread earlier.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jul 22, 2010 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
He might as well get gassed
because there’s virtually no chance Lou will put him in the game today.
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Jul 22, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
That's right because they aren't playing today.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
by katie casey on Jul 22, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
D'oh! I forgot.
He might as well get gassed again tonight then, because he almost certainly won’t be playing tomorrow, either.
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Jul 22, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions
lol...I was thinking the same thing...
he looks like a “best man” at someone’s wedding, about 5 hours into the reception. Looks like a great time by all, for a great cause.
Ron Santo - 8,143 ABs, .277 BA; 342 HR; 1331 RBI = NO Hall of Fame?
Brooks Robinson - 10,654 ABs, .267 BA; 268 HR; 1357 RBI = Hall of Fame.
Any more questions ?
Oh man, saw Soto in the white tux...looked very cool! its on CSN :)
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Looks like a fun time was had by most.
When I go to a casino, I just walk in the front door, throw $50 on the floor, then turn around and leave. It saves a lot of time.
We have met the enemy and they are us! ~ Walt Kelly, Pogo, 1971
Graduated from high school in a tux that looked those...
Was Theriot joking around about his TOOTBLANs?
Steve Swisher - 1976 NL All-Star Catcher
Looks like it would
have been fun to be there. Hope they raised a lot of money for their charity.
Wells looks sharp in his tux.
A lovely story:
One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who didn't whine, nag or bitch. That would be me....
But that was a long time ago and it was just that one day.
The end
This team is driving me to drink
So it has to be having double the effect on the players. I hope thay had to but ther own booze. Or there might not have been enough money left over for the charity
We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. I just can't figure out where else to play!
-- Pat Williams
by Fat Punk Kicker on Jul 22, 2010 10:18 AM CDT reply actions
You don't think I really would have posted one...
…. if I were even wearing one, do you?
(I wasn’t. And neither was anyone else not a Cubs player.)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think I can speak for many of us ladies...
very disappointed that you forgot your regular camera.
"Fasten those seatbelts!"-Pat Hughes
you can definitely speak for me, katie....very disappointed Al :(
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jul 22, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry about that!
Next time, for sure, and I’m sure there will be a next time.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Dempster's event
I was a volunteer at the event and I saw pretty much every Cub player, including Soriano, who showed up in his funky black glasses. Tom Ricketts and Crane Kenney were in attendance too. The guys clean up pretty good and were very nice to talk to. Geo told me he had a lot of fun learning roulette.
Marlon Byrd - - a total Cub
There were numerous autographed jerseys (including Tom Glavine, Josh Hamilton, Ryan Howard) in the silent auction. When Marlon Byrd walked in, he pointed to each one and said ’played against, played against, played with, played with…"
I told him that this must be a TRUE Cubs event because neither the Chris Carpenter nor the Paul Konerko jersey had ANY bids on them! His reply? “As it should be!”
Gotta love that guy!
by mjstar on Jul 22, 2010 11:28 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Cool story!
Byrd is a great guy. Glad to have him on the team, not just for this, but for his fine performance on the field.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If there is one guy on this team
I would really be ticked off about loosing right now it’s Byrd…
He’s been on of the very very few bright spots in an otherwise
bad season.
Roberto Duran to Sugar Ray Leonard - No Mas... No Mas...
-------------
Hicks: That's it, man. Game over, man. Game over, what the **** are we supposed to now, huh, what are we gonna do?
-------------
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
I have to laugh...
Demp looks like he’s the MC at a Vegas show…
I expect him to break into a rendition of Wayne Newton’s
Danke Schoen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUryeDLpY_c
Roberto Duran to Sugar Ray Leonard - No Mas... No Mas...
-------------
Hicks: That's it, man. Game over, man. Game over, what the **** are we supposed to now, huh, what are we gonna do?
-------------
"Why people, who have not committed any punishable offense, listen to Country and Western music is absolutely beyond me" - John Cleese
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