Tag: Cubs Convention

Dreamcast 56: The Best We Can Hope For

Thanks to Smokestack for pointing us to the best possible title for this one. RC, BVS, and Berselius hang out to talk about whatever this team is right now and how we hope for some good fortune in 2023 with spring training around the corner. Among our topics:

  • Recent additions Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini and their proposed usage
  • Lineup tinkering
  • How the defense might be a market inefficiency
  • Those damn projections
  • Trade speculation

We also told jokes about a corn cob dress but decided not to include it to protect the not-so-innocent.

Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and share us with your friends. Dmick or B, if you guys are amenable, I can send you an embed code for the Podbean player (it shows the last ten episodes) and you can test to see if it’ll work in OV’s sidebar. Thanks for listening!

You should be able to see the embedded player from both this WordPress and our Podbean embedded player for this episode below:

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Dreamcast 56: The Best We Can Hope For
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Shocking News That is Shocking: Banks & Williams to Appear at Cubs Convention

I know all of you have been laying awake at night and wondering if you might get a chance to see either Billy Williams or Ernie Banks at the Cubs Convention in January. Sure, they have both been there every other year, and the Cubs never miss an opportunity to trot the 1969 Cubs out to talk about what might have been, but maybe Ernie has had enough and is willing to say the Cubs will be shitty until at least twenty-fifty. Well, fear no more. According to the Cubs Twitter feed:

 

 

Thank goodness! Ernie must have come up with something that rhymes with "fourteen."

"The Cubs might not be a poor team in 2014!" Ernie will say it with pizzazz though. 

Now we can go back to wondering whether Ronnie Woo will be there and if Al Yellon will renew his season tickets in the Bleachers again for next year.

As for me, I can confirm that I will probably be at the nearby bar drinking heavily again.

The Next Generation of Cub Players and Plate Discipline

baezclippedThe Cubs Convention took place this past weekend. OV's own Aisle424 was present and will summarize his thoughts on it shortly (I think). In the meantime, Josh has already weighed in. Bruce Miles was all over the goings-on, as well, and his twitter feed is well worth checking out. A couple of highlights:

I know the sheen is off the new front office for some, but I still take comfort in the little things, like their understanding of how runs are generated in baseball. In 2012, Almora, Baez, and Soler combined to walk 30 times in 675 plate appearances. That's good for a 4.4% rate, which is not good at all.

Compare these quotes to erstwhile minor league director Oneri Fleita on Josh Vitters near the start of the 2011 season:

There are times when Vitters is too patient at the plate.

Coming in to the 2011 season, Vitters had walked 56 times in 1269 plate appearances. That is good for, you guessed it, a 4.4% rate.

There is something to be said for not calling out young players in public, and there is even a case to be made for not fiddling too much with a player's approach. Fleita himself made this case in to Kevin Goldstein:

You just let guys like that play. I learned a long time ago that guys who can hit .300 with power, you can teach them to hit .200 with no power, so when they have that much talent, you let them write their own script.

The bottom line, though, is that Cubs' system has a plate discipline problem, and has had that problem for as long as I can remember. The talent has not been good enough to let the players "write their own script." The difference between The Thoyer and Hendry Eras is that the former publicly acknowledges that it's a really big deal, and is evidently going to do everything they can to fix it. Jabronis like me can appreciate that.

Get Out Your ‘It’s Gonna Happen’ Signs and DeRosa Shirseys, It’s Cubs Convention Time!

​It's that time again! Every winter, the Cubs gather their current players, management, and any ex-players for whom they have blackmail material and trot them out like showdogs for their fans in a massive effort to "build their brand" or "polish the turd."  Yes, the Cubs Convention is tomorrow and the Cubs have been very busy planning how best to shovel massive portions of Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo on us, while conveniently glossing over the fact that Nate Schierholtz is probably going to get a lot of playing time. 

This year, the Cubs leave the familiar surroundings at the Hilton Towers and give the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers a whirl. From the descriptions of the convention spaces the Sheraton provides, it seems like there is more space available, which would be good since even in these last down years, the crowds are considerable. No matter how much the Cubs hold our collective heads in the toilet, we keep coming back in droves for more. (It also seems the Ricketts have been cozying up to the Sheraton folks for reasons that are not Cubs Convention related.)

But other than the location, the offerings at this year's Cubs Convention are very familiar to the previous iterations. Some of the highlights include:

  • Ricketts Family Forum: Tom, Laura, Pete and Todd Ricketts will talk about their experience as the Cubs owners over the last three years and take questions from fans.

The Ricketts' welcome from the fans has degraded quite a bit from the hero's welcome they received at their first Convention. That first year, people were practically ready to sacrifice their first-borns on the altar of the Ricketts. But the bloom is off the rose now and many Cubs fans are disillusioned after 101 losses under noted snake-oil salesman, Theo Epstein. I expect every year for the crowd to boo the Ricketts, but they haven't yet and I don't think they will this year either. It won't be raucous applause anymore, but it won't be hostile. Not until they start talking about more video scoreboards in the stadium, anyway.  The highlight is when Pete Ricketts comes out of his burrow for the one time per year and predicts the weather based on the shadow of his bald head. 

  • Meet Cubs Baseball Management: Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations, will be joined by general manager Jed Hoyer, assistant general managers Randy Bush and Shiraz Rehman and manager Dale Sveum to talk about the team's recent moves and what lies ahead.

​Every year they throw Randy Bush into this session and every year nobody asks Randy Bush a question because nobody gives a shit. I'm seriously considering grabbing the microphone and asking him his favorite color just so he gets to say something.

  • From Draft Day to the Big Leagues: Minor League prospects Dallas Beeler, Matt Szczur, Robert Whitenack and Tony Zych will discuss what it's like to get drafted by the Cubs and advance through the system.

Dallas Beeler? Who or what is a Dallas Beeler? Why did they lead off with Dallas Beeler in this description? Sure Szczur, Whitenack and Zych might never crack the majors either, but we've at least heard of them. Hey Randy, who the fuck is Dallas Beeler?

  • Dale Sveum and the coaching staff: Sveum and his staff will talk about the team and answer questions.

They'll "talk about the team and answer questions." That sounds scintillating. jesus, not even a Dallas Beeler mention to spice things up. Way to bring the sizzle, Cubs marketing department! In reality, it actually does sound better than the 60 minutes of people bitching about the bunting tournament that this will inevitably turn into.

  • For Kids Only Press Conference, presented by Advocate Health Care: Kids will get to play reporter and ask players questions. The panel will feature Darwin Barney, David DeJesus, Brooks Raley, Anthony Rizzo and Chris Rusin.

This is probably where the most intelligent questions will get asked all weekend. I might pop my head in just to see if Kim DeJesus is lingering around anywhere. I may have to borrow someone's kid.

  • Renew Wrigley Field: Cubs executives will discuss ideas to preserve and renew Wrigley Field based on input from Cubs fans, season ticket holders and the community.

We're still just TALKING about it? Holy hell, shouldn't you know what to do with the stadium by now? It is 2013 and the Ricketts have owned the team since 2009 and haven't shut up about preserving and renewing the stadium since then. Crane has been there for at least eight years and this should probably be the #1 thing he would be working on and we're still just TALKING about it?  I get that they don't have the money and some tweaks to the overall plan will happen as long as they aren't pouring concrete, but for the love of God, let's at least cut the fans out of this process by now. Haven't there been enough surveys? At least when the Cubs wouldn't shut up about the troughs, the troughs actually, you know, GOT RENOVATED! OR SO THEY SAY! I CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE!

  • Not for Women Only: Baker, Feldman, Matt Garza, James Russell and Travis Wood will discuss their personal lives off the field.

They're resurrecting Kathy & Judy's old bit where the players make really obvious baseball lingo double-entendres and everyone thinks it is just hilarious. This was usually Ryan Dempster's favorite session because he got to tell his tale of dressing up like Captain America every year like it was the first time we ever heard that story. Normally, this would be the annual Mike Bielecki sighting, but he must not have been able to squeeze this into his busy schedule of sitting on the couch in his underwear. I bet we hear way more about Matt Garza's shaving cream pies than any human could ever imagine possible.

  • WGN Radio's Sports Central: WGN Radio's Jim Memolo and Glen Kozlowski's live broadcast will feature segments with DeJesus and Garza; Barney and Jeff Samardzija; Tony Campana and Starlin Castro; and Jackson, Jackson and Rizzo in a live broadcast.

It's ON THE RADIO! The players will talk about how they're REALLY anxious to get to Mesa and the team is really ready to prove last year is behind them and start playing winning Cubs Way baseball. And it will be ON THE RADIO! And you can sit there quietly and just listen! It really is quite something.

Yes, the wonders of the Cubs Convention are many and I hope to mock it as much as possible on Twitter, so follow along if you'd like.

Also, for those lucky enough to also be attending, the annual, semi-planned Cubs blogger/tweeter/loser meet-up will be happening at the hotel bar named, (I swear I am not making this up) Chi-Bar. In the past you have not needed a Convention pass to get access to the bar, but it's a different location and I really don't know what to expect. After a drink or two at Chi-Bar, the plan is to head to Lizzie McNeil's which is right next to the hotel and has a better beer and whiskey list (and you definitely don't need a pass to get in there). I expect I'll be arriving at the Chi-Bar somewhere around 7:00ish. I expect to be hammered by 7:02ish. So come on out if you dare.  

Cubs Con 2012

I figured I would set this up as a thread to document my experiences at Cubs Convention 2012.  Had to deal with tons of loud obnoxious Cubs fans and huge crowds for a few moments of “oooh, look at that guy” but I did get to meet and talk to Pat Hughes and that was pretty cool.  Here’s the first day’s blog from our site.  Thanks for letting me share.

Updated with some Day 2 stuff.

Updated with our wrap-up.  It was fun but I’m not sure it’s worth full price.

Last update: the opening ceremony.

Continue reading “Cubs Con 2012”

Cubs Mesh Corporate Sponsorship and a Veiled Reference to Pubic Hair Into Cubs Convention

The Cubs Convention is now a time-honored tradition almost as sacred in the world of Cubs fans as day baseball, the manual scoreboard, the ivy, the urinal troughs, and the years and years of constant losing.

It is a time when Cubs fans can join together in the middle of winter to re-connect with Cubs baseball. It allows opportunities to get to know the players and the coaches of this years’ team on a more personal level.  It gives kids the chance to get autographs, it gives old ladies a chance to see who can attach the most pins to their hats without falling over, and it gives adults the chance to be accosted by drunken beat writers at Kitty O’Sheas.

Amongst all of wondrous magic and pageantry, it also allows everyone there to get absolutely bludgeoned with hype being being tossed about by the Cubs’ marketing machine.

This years’ incarnation has a few new corporately sponsored features, as well as the return of various sessions that we have all grown to know and love.  Let’s take a look at some of the offerings this year from the Cubs’ press release, shall we? SHALL WE?!!!!

shall_we

The LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is a LEGO building area that will feature Master Model Builder Jayson Mueller as he constructs impressive creations, shows different building techniques and answers questions from fellow builders of all ages.

So the new Cubs’ tradition is going to be built…. with LEGOs?  Maybe the Triangle Building will be built with LEGOs as a cost-cutting measure? I’m guessing they just needed somewhere to stick Todd for the weekend.

The Best Buy Experience will allow fans to try their hand at a number of gaming consoles with the latest sports titles; discover their musical talents at an interactive DJ station; and connect at a computer cyber bar and charge their mobile devices.

Just bring an extra battery for you phone and/or some earplugs folks, because I am betting you won’t be able to pry Ronnie Woo away from the DJ station.

The Baseball Interactive Zone, hosted by Illinois Baseball Academy, provides an opportunity for fans to learn a few tricks of the game in a live setting. Professional instructors and special Cubs guests will give lessons to fans of all ages in designated areas for baseball skills, batting and pitching.

Theo is serious with this Cubs Way shit.  He’s even training the fans.

Saturday’s slate kicks off with “Behind the Scenes with Theo Epstein” at 9 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom, followed by “Meet Cubs Baseball Management” featuring Executive Vice President/General Manager Jed Hoyer, Assistant General Manager Randy Bush and Manager Dale Sveum at 10 a.m. in the Continental Ballroom.

I really don’t know why they keep dragging Randy Bush into these things.  He could probably sit there bare-assed naked with his hair on fire and people would rather ask Theo if it was really him at Starbucks than ask Randy if he’d like some water to put the fire out or if he’d at least cover up with a Cubs Way pamphlet.

“Player Development: From the Dominican Republic to Mesa,” featuring Starlin Castro, Welington Castillo and Jeff Samardzija discussing their experiences in the Dominican Republic and Mesa, Arizona, as well as front office leadership providing an update to the progress of each site.

From the Dominican Republic to Mesa?  This smells of needing something for Samardzija to do, so they tacked on that Mesa thing.

“From the Field to the Booth,” featuring host Dave Otto talking with Bob Brenly, Todd Hollandsworth, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland and Rick Sutcliffe about the benefits and challenges of taking the player perspective to the broadcast booth.

There are lots of good secrets in this session from Bob Brenly’s method of pre-criticizing the Latino players to Sutcliffe’s ability to convert any microphone into a whiskey flask.  This is assuming Todd Hollandsworth shuts the hell up long enough for anyone else to speak.

“For Kids Only Press Conference,” presented by Advocate Health Care, with Darwin Barney, Tony Campana, Reed Johnson, Todd Walker and newcomer David DeJesus facing questions from a room of pint-sized reporters.

Paul Sullivan is allowed in too?

“Ron Santo: Beyond the Game,” featuring host Pat Hughes talking with widow Vicki Santo, son Ron Santo Jr., and friends and teammates Glenn Beckert, Randy Hundley and Billy Williams about the personal side of Ron Santo and his recent Hall of Fame election.

This will probably be the last one of these having teammates from the 1969 team focused solely on reminiscing on Santo.  Next year, I expect they’ll be back to reminiscing about how they were a big bunch of chokers.

“Coaches’ Den,” featuring new manager Dale Sveum, new bench coach Jamie Quirk, new pitching coach Chris Bosio, new first base coach Dave McKay, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and bullpen coach Lester Strode discussing their coaching philosophies, moderated by Bob Brenly.

This is the session where everyone will ask if Sveum will leave his starting pitchers in too long like Baldy McGrindy did, leading to next year’s session when they will bitch that he took the starters out too soon in favor of a bullpen that clearly sucks.

“Outside the Foul Lines,” featuring Tony Campana, Ryan Dempster, Geovany Soto and Randy Wells sharing their personalities and experiences beyond the game.

I’m setting the over/under for separate Harry Caray impersonations at 4.5.  

“The Ricketts’ Family Forum,” featuring Ricketts family members Tom, Laura, Pete and Todd discussing their journey as team owners and what they hope to accomplish in the coming years.

It’s the annual Pete Ricketts sighting! Assuming Todd doesn’t get out of his harness and pull the curtains down, this will be the part where Tom reminds us all that his goal is to win a World Series in Wrigley Field and that we need to be patient as he takes our money.  The session will end when the old man with a baloney sandwich grabs a microphone and demands to know who owns the Cubs.

“When Super Fans Unite,” a session dedicated to the fans and their questions targeted to members of the legendary 1984 team, including Bob Dernier, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland and Lee Smith.

Superfans

Dis here session iss going to discuss why da Cubs did not have Ditka playing first base instead of Daaaaaaa Bull.

“The Scouting Formula,” featuring Senior Vice President of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod, Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita, Director of Amateur Scouting Tim Wilken and Director of Professional Scouting Joe Bohringer discussing their secrets behind scouting and player development.

The talking points are tricky in this one since McLeod and Bohringer will want to emphatically highlight how they will improve the the pitifully barren farm system that has been built by the other two guys sitting next to them at the table.  My guess is they will talk a lot about prospects like Baez, Vogelbach and Maples from the last draft as evidence the farm is stepping forward without bringing up Hayden Simpson.

“Meet Cubs Business Management,” offering a look toward the future of the Cubs and Wrigley Field with Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Wally Hayward, Executive Vice President of Community Affairs Mike Lufrano, Vice President of Ballpark Operations Carl Rice, Vice President of Ticket Sales Colin Faulkner, Vice President of Business Development Alex Sugarman and Director of Fan Experiences Jahaan Blake.

I would like Crane Kenney more if he dedicated the whole time to a thorough Powerpoint presentation explaining every detail about the Cubs’ organizational chart while staring at Yellon the whole time, but it will probably be a lot of crap about videoboards and urinal troughs.

Guests can then head over to the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue” for a night of dancing, singing and plenty of laughter during a live show from Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press.

Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, aside from being a wet dream for anyone trying to write low-brow comedy and who are totally not made up by me, consists of members named (of course) Rod Tuffcurls, CC Ryder, Dick Celebritey (sic), and Uncle Sex. 

Rod_Tuffcurls

According to their website:

We combine “competent” musicianship, “bone-crushing” 3-part-harmonies, and “interesting” song choices- to provide the audience with an experience away from which they can not willingly look.

They sure do sound like they are “fun”, “talented” and not at all “embarassing” to have them associated with a “major league” baseball team!

But now that I think about it, they are actually perfect for this mass of “humanity” where Ronnie Woo is a revered celebrity.

Continue reading “Cubs Mesh Corporate Sponsorship and a Veiled Reference to Pubic Hair Into Cubs Convention”