2004 - NSBB at the Convention

[CuseCubFan69]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

[mlpeel]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

 

Not in either of the sessions I attended that featured them. But I missed the manager/coaches session, and my friend who took notes for me had to leave before it was over. Anyone?

[CubsWin]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

I thought the news out of the convention was that Corey was progressing on schedule to be ready for opening day. What this?

[mlpeel]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

I thought the news out of the convention was that Corey was progressing on schedule to be ready for opening day. What this?

 

That's pretty much how I heard it. Baker did say on the radio earlier in the day that the Cubs had signed Calvin Murray to cover themselves in center, just in case Corey wasn't ready quite on time; but that's just a standard precaution.

[BigbadB]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

I thought the news out of the convention was that Corey was progressing on schedule to be ready for opening day. What this?

 

That's pretty much how I heard it. Baker did say on the radio earlier in the day that the Cubs had signed Calvin Murray to cover themselves in center, just in case Corey wasn't ready quite on time; but that's just a standard precaution.

 

I'm not sure I understand the need for Calvin Murray. We have Goodwin, Macias and Hollandsworth to cover center in Patterson's absence, correct? Goodwin obviously would get most of the playing time until Patterson was ready. Macias doesn't appear to be all that bad there either.

 

Off on a different tangent. I did a search on ESPN for Calvin Murray and it brought up Calvin and Heath Murray. I clicked on Heath as it stated he was on the Cubs roster. Lefty reliever with a horrible track record in the major leagues. No service time in 2003 with any teams. Non roster invitee I presume? Old information?

[SCCubbieFAN]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

 

Not in either of the sessions I attended that featured them. But I missed the manager/coaches session, and my friend who took notes for me had to leave before it was over. Anyone?

 

I was there for that entire session and I heard nothing said about CPat playing left. Then again, I was so stunned by wavin Wendall saying he aims to be correct 98% of the time that I would have missed Babe Ruth walking into the room. :lol:

[mlpeel]

I'm not sure I understand the need for Calvin Murray. We have Goodwin, Macias and Hollandsworth to cover center in Patterson's absence, correct? Goodwin obviously would get most of the playing time until Patterson was ready. Macias doesn't appear to be all that bad there either.

 

Hollandsworth and Macias already have other roles on the team. Murray's job with Goodwin starting would be Goodwin's job with a healthy Patterson. When Corey gets activated, it's off to Iowa for Murray. If Patterson's late and Macias is truly an adequate defensive center fielder, then Murray (*and* Trenidad Hubbard, another invitee) will be competing in camp against someone who might fill Macias's job temporarily.

 

Off on a different tangent. I did a search on ESPN for Calvin Murray and it brought up Calvin and Heath Murray. I clicked on Heath as it stated he was on the Cubs roster. Lefty reliever with a horrible track record in the major leagues. No service time in 2003 with any teams. Non roster invitee I presume? Old information?

 

Heath was invited to camp last year as a non-roster player; he was coming off shoulder surgery. He failed to rehab quickly enough to participate in camp, so the Cubs voided his contract in mid-March.

[BigbadB]

My sole purpose for looking up Calvin Murray in the first place was to compare his defense with Macias, and honestly, except for more service time for Murray in center, I don't see that much difference. Certainly not enough difference to warrant signing him.

 

With Walker and Martinez being able to cover all of the infield spots, I think I'd rather see someone like Kelton getting some pinch hitting duty and part time left field work rather than having Macias, Goodwin and Murray all on the roster until Patterson comes back.

 

Well, I suppose Alou could use the defensive replacement late in games, so nevermind.

[CuseCubFan69]

Did Hendry or Baker discuss playing CPatt in LF at all since his knee is not ready?

 

Not in either of the sessions I attended that featured them. But I missed the manager/coaches session, and my friend who took notes for me had to leave before it was over. Anyone?

 

I was there for that entire session and I heard nothing said about CPat playing left. Then again, I was so stunned by wavin Wendall saying he aims to be correct 98% of the time that I would have missed Babe Ruth walking into the room. :lol:

 

:lol: I always aim to be 100% right myself. I wonder what the average of guys being thrown out at the plate was for all of baseball and then for the Cubs?

[DonnieD]

Hi all, I figured I would recap our (my wife and I) weekend at Cubs Convention to give a slightly different perspective than those already given. This was our first Cubs Convention and we went primarily to get autographs. My office is a baseball shrine and has a display featuring many signed baseballs that I have been able to get at games and appearances. All weekend I was completely astounded by the unbelievable number of people that were in attendance, the crowds were at times unbearable and the autograph lines for some of the players were absurd. We missed the opening ceremonies, even though we got to the Grand Ballroom 45 minutes or so early the room was overflowing with people. We did participate in the Autograph Hunt Game, but it was tarnished by how badly prepared this event was. The “treasure” maps that were supposed to be distributed starting at 5:30 never got brought to the autograph lottery booth where we were waiting. By 5:45 or so I was very frustrated that the maps were not even in the vicinity and no one had any answers as to why, when, or how else to get one. We left and were finally able to find a map laying on the ground. By the time we got there the lines were quite long, but we got a few players nonetheless. The rest of the weekend went pretty well, although for autograph hunters the weekend consists of a whole lot of standing in line. Hour after hour of line standing takes a toll on your legs and feet. It was well worth it to me as I got to meet some of my heroes. The one major complaint that I have is the miscommunication, lack of preparation, and general incompetence of the people in charge. The “security force” consisted largely of elderly women and it seemed they had little control over the crowds. I would assume that in the 19th year of any event, the organizers would have some idea of what needs to be done to run the operation more smoothly. Another unfortunate thing for us is that we did not win any of the autograph lotteries so we had no chance to get Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Ryne Sandberg, or Ernie Banks to sign a ball for us, but my wife did wait in line Sunday to have her picture with Ernie Banks and he signed the folder that holds the picture. That said, we had a great time and will definitely be going again next year, and now that many of the autographs we wanted are out of the way, hopefully next year we can make it to some of the other events. All of the players and celebrities were gracious and personable. They would always make eye contact with you and you usually got to say a few words while they were signing your item. In case anyone is interested I will list the autographs I received.

1984 Team Ball: Steve Trout, George Frazier, Bobby Dernier, Leon Durham, Keith Moreland, Richie Hebner, Davey Lopes, Dave Owen, Jay Johnstone, Tim Stoddard, Warren Brusstar, Dickie Noles

1989 Team Ball: Vance Law, Dwight Smith, Gary Varsho

60’s & 70’s Cubs: Rick Monday, Randy Hundley, Glenn Beckert, Jose Cardinal, Don Cardwell

Coaches Ball: Jim Hendry, Wendal Kim

Announcers Ball: Chip Carey, Wayne Messmer

Single Signed Balls: Leon Durham, Mickey Morandini, Lee Smith, Jody Davis, Don Cardwell, Milt Pappas, Andy Pafko, Fergie Jenkins, Dave Kingman, and Michael Barrett

[Roast]

Hi all, I figured I would recap our (my wife and I) weekend at Cubs Convention to give a slightly different perspective than those already given. This was our first Cubs Convention and we went primarily to get autographs. My office is a baseball shrine and has a display featuring many signed baseballs that I have been able to get at games and appearances. All weekend I was completely astounded by the unbelievable number of people that were in attendance, the crowds were at times unbearable and the autograph lines for some of the players were absurd. We missed the opening ceremonies, even though we got to the Grand Ballroom 45 minutes or so early the room was overflowing with people. We did participate in the Autograph Hunt Game, but it was tarnished by how badly prepared this event was. The “treasure” maps that were supposed to be distributed starting at 5:30 never got brought to the autograph lottery booth where we were waiting. By 5:45 or so I was very frustrated that the maps were not even in the vicinity and no one had any answers as to why, when, or how else to get one. We left and were finally able to find a map laying on the ground. By the time we got there the lines were quite long, but we got a few players nonetheless. The rest of the weekend went pretty well, although for autograph hunters the weekend consists of a whole lot of standing in line. Hour after hour of line standing takes a toll on your legs and feet. It was well worth it to me as I got to meet some of my heroes. The one major complaint that I have is the miscommunication, lack of preparation, and general incompetence of the people in charge. The “security force” consisted largely of elderly women and it seemed they had little control over the crowds. I would assume that in the 19th year of any event, the organizers would have some idea of what needs to be done to run the operation more smoothly. Another unfortunate thing for us is that we did not win any of the autograph lotteries so we had no chance to get Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Ryne Sandberg, or Ernie Banks to sign a ball for us, but my wife did wait in line Sunday to have her picture with Ernie Banks and he signed the folder that holds the picture. That said, we had a great time and will definitely be going again next year, and now that many of the autographs we wanted are out of the way, hopefully next year we can make it to some of the other events. All of the players and celebrities were gracious and personable. They would always make eye contact with you and you usually got to say a few words while they were signing your item. In case anyone is interested I will list the autographs I received.

1984 Team Ball: Steve Trout, George Frazier, Bobby Dernier, Leon Durham, Keith Moreland, Richie Hebner, Davey Lopes, Dave Owen, Jay Johnstone, Tim Stoddard, Warren Brusstar, Dickie Noles

1989 Team Ball: Vance Law, Dwight Smith, Gary Varsho

60’s & 70’s Cubs: Rick Monday, Randy Hundley, Glenn Beckert, Jose Cardinal, Don Cardwell

Coaches Ball: Jim Hendry, Wendal Kim

Announcers Ball: Chip Carey, Wayne Messmer

Single Signed Balls: Leon Durham, Mickey Morandini, Lee Smith, Jody Davis, Don Cardwell, Milt Pappas, Andy Pafko, Fergie Jenkins, Dave Kingman, and Michael Barrett

 

BURN IT!!!!

 

But no, I'm impressed....

 

I didnt know he could move his arm any way but in a circular motion.

[UMFan83]

Bump

[Roast]

Bump

 

Maybe a new thread for this years convention?

 

Oh, and is anybody stopping by the winter meetings, or is that even open to the public....if so, start a thread.

[mlpeel]

Bump

 

Maybe a new thread for this years convention?

 

Yes, it was part of my plan to start a new thread for this year's convention.