This year's Cubs Convention will have a little bit different feel to it from conventions in the past. I've been lucky enough to attend a few of the previous conventions and it was always a time for hope and excitement as the fans got a chance to see the team that would take the field the next baseball season. It was also a chance for all of us to utter something along the lines of, "I really think this is the year they are gonna do it."
Well now that they've already done it, fans in attendance this year will be lucky enough to say that they attended the convention that featured the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs.
It still sounds weird saying that.
The 32nd Annual Cubs Convention will take place January 13-15 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago and fans will be treated to plenty of autograph opportunities, new panel discussions, enhanced activities, photos with the World Series Trophy and traditional fan favorites during the three-day weekend.
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The Cubs released the list of the 2017 attendees which you can see below:
Coaching Staff:
Current Players:
Albert Almora Jr., OF
Jake Arrieta, RHP
Javier Baez, INF
Kris Bryant, INF
Jeimer Candelario, INF
Willson Contreras, C
Wade Davis, RHP
Brian Duensing, LHP
Carl Edwards Jr., RHP
Justin Grimm, RHP
Kyle Hendricks, RHP
Jason Heyward, OF
Jon Jay, OF
John Lackey, RHP
Jon Lester, LHP
Miguel Montero, C
Mike Montgomery, LHP
Felix Pena, RHP
Anthony Rizzo, INF
Hector Rondon, RHP
Jose Rosario, RHP
Addison Russell, INF
Kyle Schwarber, C/OF
Pedro Strop, RHP
Matt Szczur, OF
Rob Zastryzny, LHP
Ben Zobrist, INF/OF
Cubs Alumni:
John Baker, C
Jim Bullinger, RHP
Jose Cardenal, OF
Jody Davis, C
Ryan Dempster, RHP
Bobby Dernier, OF
Bob Howry, RHP
Randy Hundley, C
Fergie Jenkins, RHP
Jay Johnstone, OF
Pete LaCock, INF/OF
Cubs Alumni Continued:
Ted Lilly, LHP
Bill Madlock, INF
Gary Matthews, OF
Sean Marshall, LHP
Brian McRae, OF
Dave Otto, LHP
Mike Remlinger, LHP
David Ross, C
Glendon Rusch, LHP
Ryne Sandberg, INF
Scott Sanderson, RHP
Dwight Smith, OF
Lee Smith, RHP
Tim Stoddard, RHP
Steve Trout, LHP
Todd Walker, INF
Billy Williams, OF
Kerry Wood, RHP
Joe Maddon, Manager
Mike Borzello, Catching Coach
Chris Bosio, Pitching Coach
Tim Buss, Strength & Conditioning
Coordinator
Franklin Font, Staff Assistant
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
Baseball Staff/Broadcasters:
Theo Epstein, President, Baseball Operations
Jed Hoyer, EVP, General Manager
Jason McLeod, SVP, Scouting & Player Development
Randy Bush, Asst. General Manager
Shiraz Rehman, Asst. General Manager
Jaron Madison, Director, Player Development
Matt Dorey, Director, Amateur Scouting
Andrew Belleson, Public Address Announcer
Ron Coomer, Radio Broadcaster
Jim Deshaies, TV Broadcaster
Pat Hughes, Radio Broadcaster
Len Kasper, TV Broadcaster
Team Executives:
Tom Ricketts, Chairman
Laura Ricketts, Board Member
Todd Ricketts, Board Member
Crane Kenney, President, Business Operations
Special Guest:
Clark, Team Mascot
Hopefully they make Clark put some pants on before he shows up.
