2011 Cubs Convention, Day One: Putting The Band Back Together

I’m ready for the season.

I listened to part of the convention. Thought the part with Len, Bob, and Pat was great. Also loved the part of Randy Wells telling the story about the little girl who asked him “why do you suck?”. Hope that Randy’s got a better year this year, cause last year, and he knows it, he wasn’t very good. And here’s hoping he pitches a shut out at Busch Stadium for the little girl’s brother.

the Guyliner again.

Damn, it’s good to see Kerry back.

… I’ll see if I can get it posted later.

In other news, Jeff Samardzija still looks like a tool, and I’m hoping for big seasons out of Z and Soto. As long as Samardzija stays in Iowa, I’m so pumped for this season.

I got all choked up when Kerry was introduced.

Al I’ll look for you at the 3 sessions. I think I saw you at the hotel earlier but got a call from my boss on my cellphone right as I saw you.

Sadly Greg Maddux was not there today and staff said that they had been told he had a family medical emergency. I certainly hope that whatever it is has a happy outcome. I somehow doubt he will be there tomorrow for the management session. Ironically I had not even seen in the program that he was due to be in the photo booth today at 6. Pena took his place.

Decent day, crowds are way down but plenty of people there. Ricketts spoke in the usual platitudes ( hey kids we have the best organization in baseball) I was glad most Cubs seem to actually follow the team and know baseball besides Wood, Byrd got by far the laudest ovation and he deserved it. Pena, Garza & Perez where kind of huddling together on the balcony and one wonders if they were saying, “jeez guys I think there are more people in this room than at the average Rays game”. Ernie came over to talk to Pena who
looks REALLY young. I skipped the promotional film and did not win anything at Cubs
bingo which had to leave early. I somehow ended up tn the line for Steve Trout’s autograph. He seemed very animated and anxious to engage in banter with fans. I can still remember thinking I was pulling her leg at a game when I told her the catchers name was Lake ant he pitchers name was trout.

On to tomorrow. Oh I confess I was talking to some folks in the registration room and the woman said " I remember you from last year" and safe to say I had never met her in person before.

He must have signed autographs for an hour and a half (or more). After I got Trout’s and my son got Beckert’s we got in line for Randy but there was no way I thought we would make it. The usher said 5 more minutes around 6:45 but he was still going strong at 7:20. Now I have those guys on the same ball to go with my HOFers Bank, Williams, Jenkins, ans Santo.

It was a nicer crowd than in years past. There was boobing for Hendry and Ricketts but not as bad as I thought there would be.

The Cubs spent 1.2 million on Jin-Yeong Kim last spring, and I don’t think any team in baseball is spending as much on Korean talent as the Cubs have been.

I think there are a lot of things to criticize about the Cubs farm system, but I don’t think not spending money is one.

From Friday’s Tribune

Sights seen: Kerry Wood at O’Donovan’s. … Patrick Kane bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes. … Kane, Jonathan Toews, Jack Skille and Dave Bolland having dinner together at Hub 51.

But your first line was very Brokeback Mountain-ish.

I learned today from sources that the Ricketts will be investing — and already have done so in several behind-the-scenes areas — considerable money into beefing up the minor league system.

The only thing that matters is if the Cubs start shelling out big-time bonuses for domestic and international talent. All the rest is just window dressing.

Keep posting the pics! Thanks.

….Exactly.

It isn’t court, a wedding, or church, let’s all relax.

(I feel the same way about sports announcers…)

But is sure is a nice feeling to know he’s a Cub!

What role is he going to play on the team in 2011? Setup man?

Did they tell him he was going to have to run out a ground ball or something?

looks like a pirate and not a Pittsburgh one either.

Contrary to rumors I did not faint when Kerry showed up at his seminar in a suit.

I was thinking how much we’ve seen this guy grow as not only a player but a person. The shy 20 year old who had a deer caught in headlights look at the 98 convention is now a grown man joking and joshing with 3 kids and is gulp 33.

Boy are the Ricketts friendly and open.

Very impressed by the manager and coaches in their sessions.

Picked Ricketts forum and the Pitchers forum since I was going to see Quade in the manager/coaches seminar and i think the stars would go out of orbit if I missed Kerry.
The lobby became Bears central for awhile. Had a short and nice chat with Jerry Angelo who walked through almost unnoticed until someone else spotted him. I recognized his voice.

Not the Yankees.
Nor the Red Sox

It’s the Rockies, with the re-signing of Gonzalez and Tulo, as of today.

My brain tells me I shouldn’t be, but my heart tells me I should. Hopefully my brain has control of my wallet on Feb. 20.