Bring on the Convention, 2009 Spring Training Broadcast Schedule, Caravan Update

Happy Friday! The Cubs convention is only 1 week away! Finally, the off season is almost over. Harry Caray used to call the convention the unofficial Opening Day. WGN Radio has announced their coverage for the convention:

Friday Jan 16. 3-7: Steve Cochran will host live remote broadcast from Boulevard Room.
Saturday 4-6: David Kaplan hosts Sports Central at Convention (recorded on Fri. )
4-4:30- Lou Piniella and Larry Rothschild join Kap
4:30-5- Jim Hendry and Crane Kenney
5-5:30- Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson, and Aaron Miles
5:30-6- Pat Hughes, Ron Santo, Len Kasper, and Bob Brenly

Segments that will be recorded for possible later broadcast and inclusion on the website:
"Meet Cubs Management" John Williams and Dave Eanet are joined by Lou Piniella, Jim Hendry, Randy Bush, and Crane Kenney
"Not for Women Only" Kathy and Judy are joined by Ryan Theriot, Jeff Samardzija, Sean Marshall, Reed Johnson, and Aaron Miles.
"Game Day Experience" Nick Digilio and Cory Provus are joined by Mike Fontenot, Joey Gathright, Kevin Hart, Koyie Hill, and Ted Lilly
"The Clubhouse Entertainers" Steve Cochran is joined by Ryan Dempster, Lee Smith, Ron Santo, and Randy Hundley.

If you're stuck in the house and have nothing to do or just can't wait until next weeks convention to hear some Cubs talk here are links to audio from segments from past Cubs Conventions:

Sports Centrals with Kap and Waddle:
2000
2001 Part 1
2001 Part 2
2002: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
2003: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
2004: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
2005: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
2006: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
2007: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
2008

Spike O'Dell's Yearly "Meet Cubs Management" Segment:
2002
2003
2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Kathy and Judy's Yearly "Not for Women Only Segment"

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

John Williams Hosts...

"Life in the Bigs" from 2000

"Pitchers Mound" from 2002

"Getting Started" from 2004

"27 Outs" from 2006

"So You Wanna be a Major Leaguer" from 2007

"A day in the life of a major league" from 2008

Steve Cochran hosts...

"The Skipper and his crew" from 2004

"Behind the Mic" from 2005

"Voices of the Cubs" from 2006

"Tales from the Bullpen" from 2007

"Storytelling with Cubs Legends" from 2008

There you have about 35 hours worth of past convention audio. That should keep you busy.

The Cubs have announced the list of players, coaches, broadcasters, and front office members that will be on the 2009 Cubs convention which is next Wednesday and Thursday.

Tour #1 features:

Lou Piniella (Mornings Only)

Bob Brenly (Wednesday Morning Only)

Jim Hendry (Thursday Only)

Len Kasper (Wednesday Only)

Dave Otto (Thursday Only)

Oneri Fleita (Wednesday Only)

Matt Sinatro

Lester Strode

Ivan DeJesus

Darwin Barney

Jeff Samardzija (Wednesday Afternoon Only)

Kevin Hart (Wednesday Morning Only)

Neal Cotts (Wednesday Only)

Micah Hoffpauir (Thursday Only)

Kevin Gregg (Thursday Only)

Felix Pie

Joey Gathright

Tour #2 features:

Randy Bush

Pat Hughes (Thursday Only)

Cory Provus (Wednesday Only)

Oneri Fleita (Thursday Only)

Larry Rothschild

Alan Trammell

Mike Quade

Gerald Perry (Thursday Only)

Brandon Guyer

Kevin Hart (except Wednesday morning)

Carlos Marmol

Kevin Gregg (Wednesday Only)

Jeff Samardzija (except Wednesday afternoon)

Sean Marshall.

And the Cubs have also announced the 2009 Spring Training Broadcast Schedule:

WGN Radio (11 Games):

Feb. 25 VS LAD

Feb. 26 VS Mil

March 4 VS CLE

March 6 VS LAD

March 14 VS LAA

March 16 VS Mil

March 20 VS SD

March 28 VS Col

April 4 VS NYY

WGN-TV (6 Games)

March 4 VS CWS

March 5 VS CWS

March 7 VS Mil

March 14 VS LAA

March 20 VS SD

March 27 VS CWS

CSN

March 22 VS Sea

March 30 VS KC

April 4 VS NYY

Well, That's it for now, I'll keep you posted

Cubs Carvan lists taking shape, The Hawks lose at Wrigley, MLB Network on the way

If you have tickets to the one of the stops during the Cubs caravan here is the list of players you can expect to see there:
Cubs caravan stop in Peoria on Jan. 15:

• Carlos Marmol
• Jeff Samardjiza
• Sean Marshall
• Kevin Hart
• Brandon Guyer (outfielder)
• Randy Bush (assistant GM)
• Oneri Fleita (VP of player personnel)
• Larry Rothschild (pitching coach)
• Alan Trammell (bench coach)
• Gerald Perry (hitting coach)
• Mike Quade (3rd base coach)
• Cory Provus (broadcaster)

The event in Rockford at the Boys and Girls Club list: (click for info. )

• Joey Gatright (OF)
• Kevin Greg (RP)
• Felix Pie (OF)
• Micah Hoffpauir (1B)
• Darwin Barney (SS)
• Ivan DeJesus (coach)
• Matt Sinatro (1B coach)
• Lester Strode (Bullpen Coach)
• Dave Otto (former Cub)
• Oneri Fleita (VP of player personnel)

And the Valpo High School event that I'm headed to:

• Len Kasper (Voice of the Cubs)
• Felix Pie (OF)
• Joey Gathright (OF)
• Jeff Samardzija (RP)

I should have full info on the Cubs Caravan and convention soon.

The Blackhawks have lost in the first non-baseball sporting event at Wrigley since 1984. The final score was Red Wings 6 Hawks 4. The best parts of watching the game were an interview with Ryan Dempster and when Fergie, Billy, Sandberg, and others sang a hockey version of Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

MLB Network launch only about an hour and a half away. I think it's about time that baseball gets its own 24/7 channel. My favorite part of this idea is that baseball will no longer go away in the offseason. 5:00 CT is the launch.

I'll update you if any new rumors get out or if news breaks.

Cubs Caravan, Book Recommendation, and Wrigley turns to ice

The Cubs have the plans set for this years Cubs Caravan. Here is the schedule:

Tour Group 1, Jan. 14- stops at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, Bouchet Academy in Chicago and a charity dinner in Valparaiso, Indiana. (I live in Northwest Indiana very close to Valpo and I have my tickets for the Charity Dinner.)
Tour Group 1, Jan. 15- Agassiz Elementary School, Jahn Elementary School, and Garvy Elementary School in Chicago; as well as Rockford Boys and Girls Club.
Tour Group 2, Jan. 14- Bateman Elemtary School in Chicago and fundraising luncheon at Harry Caray's Restaurant in Chicago. (the luncheon is sold out)
Tour Group 2, Jan. 15- Lincoln Library and Museum and take part in the Peoria Chiefs' charity fan fest.
The personnel who will take part in the winter tours will be announced at a later date. I'll update you whenever they are announced.

I just finished reading a Cubs book called Hoodoo by Grant DePorter, Elliot Harris, and Mark Vancil. DePorter is the owner of the Harry Caray's restaurant chain and he is best know for buying the Steve Bartman ball for $113,824.16 and then blowing it at Harry Caray's in Chicago. This book does a great job of "unraveling the 100-year mystery of the Cubs" and I would recommend it if you need a last minute gift for a Cubs fan for Christmas. Click Here for more info.

Well on New Years Day there will be a game at Wrigley Field. Not a baseball game, a hockey game. The Chicago Blawkhawks will be play the Detriot Red Wings in the Winter Classic. This will be the first time the Hawks have ever played outdoors and this will be the first hockey game ever played at the Friendly Confines. By the way, the Blackhawks are red hot and have won 7 games in a row. Check out the video of Wrigley turning into the Frozen Confines.

Well, there's only 2 more days until X-Mas! Not much going on with Cubs Rumors lately. We can only wait...
I'll keep you posted.

Cubs to Play Sox at Cashman Field, Cubs '09 Spring Training Schedule

The Cubs and the White Sox have added 2 games to their spring training schedule.

The 2 teams will meet in Las Vegas on March 4th and 5th. Both teams will be playing split-squads during these 2 days. The March 4 game will be at 8:05 PM CT. The game on the 5th will be at 2:05 CT. The Cubs and Sox will now play 5 times during the spring.



Here is the Cubs full 2009 Spring Training Schedule:

Feb. 25 VS LAD, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Feb. 26 VS MIL, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Feb. 27 VS TEX, Surprise, 2:05 CT

Feb. 28 VS CWS, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 1 VS SD, Peoria, 2:05 CT

Mar. 2 VS ARI, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 3 VS OAK, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 4(ss) VS CLE, Goodyear, 2:05 CT

VS CWS, Las Vegas, 8:05 CT

Mar. 5 VS CWS, Las Vegas, 2:05 CT

Mar. 6 VS LAD, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 7 VS MIL, Maryvale, 2:05 CT

Mar. 8 VS TEX, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 9 VS KC, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 10 VS SEA, Peoria, 3:05 CT

Mar. 11 OFF

Mar. 12 WBC

Mar. 13(ss) VS Sea, Mesa, 3:05 CT

VS LAA, Tempe, 3:05 CT

Mar. 14 VS LAA, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 15 VS ARI, Tuscan, 3:05 CT

Mar. 16 VS MIL, Maryvale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 17 VS LAD, Glendale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 18 VS SF, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 19 VS SEA, Peoria, 3:05 CT

Mar. 20 VS SD, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 21 VS CWS, Glendale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 22 VS SEA, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 23 VS OAK, Phoenix, 3:05 CT

Mar. 24 VS COL, Mesa

Mar. 25 OFF

Mar. 26 VS SF, Scottsdale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 27 VS CWS, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 28 VS COL, Tuscan, 3:05 CT

Mar. 29 VS CLE, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 30 VS KC, Surprise, 3:05 CT

April 1 VS OAK, Phoenix, 3:05 CT

April 2 VS CLE, Mesa, 2:05 CT

April 3 VS NYY, New Yankee Stadium, 6:05 CT

April 4 VS NYY, New Yankee Stadium, 12:05 CT



The Cubs will host a luncheon with some of the Cubs players during the Cubs caravan. It will be held on Jan. 14 from 11 AM to 1 PM CT at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. Tickets are $100. The money will benefit Cubs Care. Space is limited to 120 guests. Jim Hendry will speak about the upcoming season and one Cubs representative will be seated at each table. Tickets go on Sale Wednesday at 10 AM CT by calling 773-404-CUBS.



Also, the Cubs, NHL, and the Chicago Blackhawks will an open skate at Wrigley Field's temporary ice rink on January 4 from 9 AM to 4 PM CT. However, the event for neighborhood residents is already sold out. Find more information at Cubs.com.



And finally, several sources say that the Cubs are expected to sign Joey Gathright to add to the Cubs bench for next year. Gathright was non-tendered by the Royals last week.

I'll keep you posted.