Cubs Announce Convention Attendees, Sessions

The 31st annual Cubs Convention begins a week from today, Friday, January 15, and will run through Sunday morning, January 17.

While a complete time schedule of events has yet to be released, here are some of the things you will find to see and do at the Convention.

The Opening Ceremony begins Friday, January 15, at 6 p.m. There will be player introductions on an elevated runway that will provide special VIP access to children 16-and-under. Following the Opening Ceremony, you can find some of your favorite Cubs and young prospects signing autographs in what the Cubs are terming the "Surprise Signing Game."

The first day concludes with a special Friday Night with Ryan Dempster show presented by Budweiser, featuring interviews with Cubs players, coaches and alumni, comedy vignettes and interactive games. Saturday’s program continues with fan favorites such as the return of Cubs Feud and Cubs Jeopardy, which features unique trivia with Cubs alumni.

Popular reoccurring Saturday sessions will be back, including Baseball Management, Cubs Business Operations Update, Joe Maddon & His Coaching Staff, Kids Only Press Conference, Life Off the Field, Meet the New Cubs and Ricketts Family.

Saturday evening will conclude with long-time Convention favorite Cubs Bingo, which as always will be led by Wayne Messmer.

Sunday’s program concludes with additional autograph sessions and panels including Down on the Farm and Once a Cub, Always a Cub.

There will also be a Cubs in Cooperstown panel. There, you'll have a chance to hear Cubs Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams chat about their lives in baseball and what it means to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber will share their first-season experiences in the big leagues with fans during the Rock Star Rookies panel.

Cy Young winners Jake Arrieta, Fergie Jenkins and Rick Sutcliffe will answer fan questions and relive their award-winning seasons as part of the Cy Young Winners session.

Here's a complete list of current Cubs who will be at the Convention:

Andury Acevedo, RHP
Arismendy Alcantara, INF/OF
Jake Arrieta, RHP 
Javier Baez, INF
Dallas Beeler, RHP
Rex Brothers, LHP 
Kris Bryant, INF
Trevor Cahill, RHP
Jeimer Candelario, INF
Carl Edwards Jr., RHP
Justin Grimm, RHP 
Jason Hammel, RHP
Kyle Hendricks, RHP
Jason Heyward, OF
Pierce Johnson, RHP
Eric Jokisch, LHP 
John Lackey, RHP
Jon Lester, LHP
Miguel Montero, C
Edgar Olmos, LHP
Neil Ramirez, RHP
Clayton Richard, LHP
Anthony Rizzo, INF 
Hector Rondon, RHP
David Ross, C
Zac Rosscup, LHP
Addison Russell, INF
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF
Jorge Soler, OF 
Pedro Strop, RHP 
Matt Szczur, OF
Dan Vogelbach, INF
Adam Warren, RHP
Travis Wood, LHP 
Ben Zobrist, INF

That's 35 players of the 40 who are currently on the 40-man roster. Here are the Cubs alumni who will be in attendance:

John Baker, C
Jose Cardenal, OF
Ryan Dempster, RHP
Bobby Dernier, OF
Scott Eyre, LHP
Randy Hundley, C
Fergie Jenkins, RHP
Jon Lieber, RHP
Ted Lilly, LHP
Bill Madlock, INF
Dave Otto, LHP, Broadcaster
Ryne Sandberg, INF
Scott Sanderson, RHP
Lee Smith, RHP
Tim Stoddard, RHP
Rick Sutcliffe, RHP
Steve Trout, LHP

Nice to see John Baker on this list. He ought to be hilarious. Others in attendance: Coaches:

Joe Maddon, Manager 
Mike Borzello, Catching Coach 
Chris Bosio, Pitching Coach
Tim Buss, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Eric Hinske, Asst. Hitting Coach
Brandon Hyde, First Base Coach
Gary Jones, Third Base Coach
John Mallee, Hitting Coach
Dave Martinez, Bench Coach
Chad Noble, Bullpen Catcher
Lester Strode, Bullpen Coach

Team executives:

Tom Ricketts, Chairman
Laura Ricketts, Board Member
Todd Ricketts, Board Member
Theo Epstein, President, Baseball Operations
Crane Kenney, President, Business Operations

Baseball staff/broadcasters:

Jed Hoyer, EVP/GM
Jason McLeod, SVP, Scouting & Player Development
Randy Bush, Assistant GM
Shiraz Rehman, Assistant GM
Jaron Madison, Director, Player Development
Ron Coomer, Radio Broadcaster
Jim Deshaies, TV Broadcaster
Pat Hughes, Radio Broadcaster
Len Kasper, TV Broadcaster

I'll post more details including a complete time schedule for the sessions when it's available.