Sweet Swinging Billy

...so that means, he's still unsigned? Quick somebody call JH! I hope that's sarcasm. Would someone please, tell "cubcolt" that I was being sarcastic.

...so that means, he's still unsigned? Quick somebody call JH!

There's no veteran election this year, I think. I think the revamped election begins with the next class. Correct. They voted on managers and executives this year, players next year. I think he gets in this time. I'm going to think positive and agree with "NC", I think he gets in next year too. I just wish as fans, we could start some movement or campaign to help him get elected next year.

That's okay, we can all use a little diversion once in a while.

http://schwartzsports.com/ Try here. Not positive they have unsigned Cubs stuff, but it wouldn't hurt to e-mail or call. I've gotten 14x20's of Urlacher from there. I called to check on their inventory. They said they have a couple copies of a Billy Williams and print and a couple copies of an Ernie Banks print. Nothing too exotic. Billy Williams? I'll buy one of their prints right now! I already have an autograph jersey, baseball, and cap.

I was just thinking, did anyone actually end up signing him?

There you go...he put it better than I ever could have imagined. It wasn't like that before 03...it wasn't like that when Sammy was the Gladiator and didn't even show up to the convention quite frankly. Wow. I can't stand "really" crowded areas and standing in line for hours wears me out. I guess I'll need to give serious thought as to whether or not, I want to attend next year.

Hey thanks guys. I appreciate it. It makes me feel better to know that there is no time limit but I agree with "Roast" I just hope that Ronnie gets in soon, so he can enjoy it.

If anyone is interested, WGN radio is giving away free passes to this year's convention. http://www.wgnradio.com/

Still disappointed that "Hawk" or Lee Smith didn't get in but I was wondering when the Veteran's committee might vote on those veterans, that are still eligibile to be voted into the Hall of Fame. How many more times does Ronnie have left, to be voted in?

As of Tuesday, Jan. 8th.... 10 days and counting! Did I get my math right? This is pathetic to get so excited over a silly sports convention. After all, I'm 50 years old! But I can't help it, it's the Cubs!!!!

Okay, you had a room at the Chicago Hilton for the convention and you cancelled it because you didn't have tickets? I am going to now tell you something that will make you kick yourself that obviously you didn't understand...each room comes with four passes which you pay $10 each for at registration. Someone at the Hilton obviously did not tell you that when you called to make the reservation. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/community/com_convention.jsp Thanks Red Ivy but I had a reservation at the Palmer House Hilton, which is at 17 East Monroe Street (maybe 6 blocks from the Convention?)... so I don't think that applies to the Hilton, where I booked a room. Anyway as it turns out, that week I'll be going in for Chemotherapy-- so I'm not sure how I'll be feeling by the weekend. I think what I'm going to try to do instead, is just go and catch a game in Spring Training. But I do appreciate the info.--you're right, I wasn't aware of that.

It was in the Vineline and the complete list will be in the Chicago Tribune sports section the Sunday prior to the convention. You all are excited to go and I am thrilled out of my mind not to go this year. It hasn't been the same since October 2003. The fans are different and it is oversold and packed with people. It has forced the players to hide from the fans rather than hang out in Kitty O'Sheas and talk at the end of each day's activities. Even the former players hide because the fans are different now. It used to be a lot of fun but not anymore to me. Carrie Musrat (or whatever her name is), doesn't think Fukudome will be attending this year's convention... "In years past, the Cubs have released the names on the Sunday before the Convention starts, and do so in the Chicago Tribune. We'll post a list as soon as it's available. I don't think new outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will be attending. He is working out in Japan, and according to the Chunichi News, he has named his new son Hayato". "You know, Chicago is called the 'Windy City,'" Fukudome told Japanese media. "'Hayato' means windy, healthy, fast and first boy. That's why I named him." link: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080106&content_id=2340314&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

I would imagine that there would be a large contingent of Japanese reporters following Fukudome if he's there. I'd be interested to know what japanese baseball fans think of Cub hysteria, after witnessing what goes on at a Cubs Convention. It's only a matter of time, when you'll see Cub jerseys everywhere. Whadda y'all think?

Click the quote button on this post, then put your cursor at the end of this text, after [ /quote] and start writing there. Okay "Jersey", here we go. I'm probably making this more difficult, than it really is. Thanks Jersey!! I have seen the light!

Bob Sanders wrote: "please use the quote button" GoCubs Go also added: "I agree with Bob". ---I'm sorry guys but I can't figure it out. I'm serious. I hit the quote button but it seems garbled. I'll keep trying. Obviously, I'm doing something wrong. Go Hawkeyes!!! Licklighter rocks!

jersey cubs fan wrote: "You can't wait, but you aren't going anyway? What can't you wait for?" ---- Yeah maybe I should have explained myself. First of all, I had to cancel my Hotel reservation because I couldn't get tickets...and I wasn't about to pay $100.00 a piece for two tickets, or whatever it is now. Yeah, I'm not going but I always look forward to the interviews/features that I can see On Comcast Sports Net and WGN. Also you can click on to 720am/WGN Radio, and listen to what's happening that weekend. I wish I could be there but as a "die hard" fan, I look forward to at least getting some morsel of news about the Cubs. -- To those of you that we're a little disappointed in my thread, hoping that it contained more...I'm sorry but I wanted to be the first to start a thread about the Convention. It is January 2008, after all.

Doesn't seem like such a bad deal for the White Sox They say that Swisher is a great person to have in the clubhouse, and 22 homers isn't too bad. Certainly an upgrade over Merton, right? (I would put Swisher in left and not in right( The more I think about it, I wish the Cubs would have acquired him ---the only thing is, what would we have to give up?

Backtobanks wrote: "There is some speculation that Ian Snell might be available for 3 major-league ready players. (from Bucco Blog) Young, inexpensive, right-handed pitcher sounds good to me. The problem is that it looks like some of our prime trade bait is being mentioned as part of the Roberts deal. Forget the Roberts deal, how about this blockbuster: San Diego gets: Jack Wilson, Jason Bay (Pirates) & Murton (Cubs) Cubs get: Greene (San Diego) & Snell (Pirates) Pirates get: Headley (San Diego), Marshall/Gallagher, Patterson, Cedeno, Veal (Cubs)." ---- BTB, you call Jim Hendry and tell him to get it done. You can reach his office by calling: 1-(773) 404-2827. Just remain on line until an operator comes on, and then ask for Jim Hendry's Office. I've never spoken to him directly-- he's been out of the office when I call. So, I'll just leave a message. I have spoken however, to his secretary on several occasions and she seems to be very nice. If I remember correctly she did say that Jimbo prefers to speak to people directly. BTB, ask the secretary for the fax number and fax them your trade proposal.

The guy swinging the bat is definitely Doug Glanville. I thought about posting this the other day but chose not to.

All right, it's now January of 2008. I think it's time to start an offical thread for The 2008 Cubs Convention (January 18-20). Man, I can't wait I just wish I was going. I had to cancel my hotel reservations the other day.

GoCubsGo!!, as I have already indicated in several posts, my heart goes out to this woman's family who lost their daughter, their mother, and of course this woman's husband is now without a wife...but because I feel sorry for Leyritz and his family, due to the horrendous decision he made, all of a sudden I'm considered a bad guy and my view point is pathetic? With that type of hatred, you're the one that needs to stop posting.

Certainly as already mentioned Pat Hughes, Ron Santo, Jack Brickhouse, Harry Caray...Dwayne Staats-- all of these guys were good. Milo Hamilton was okay, although Harry and he hated each other. Besides the announcers already mentioned...I think my all-time favorite(s) were Lou Boudreau and Vince Lloyd ---they made a great team. I really don't care for Bob Brenly any more but I do like Len Kasper. He is a HUGE upgrade over Chip Caray.

Sosa21MVP wrote: "I hear what you are saying but I'm not sure that Jim's life is ruined forever. Whatever public image he possessed is certainly tarnished and he'll have to pay a price through the judicial system and all that but....I don't know. I have an uncle that killed two people as a result of drunk driving. A mother and daughter. It's been a while so I don't remember what all happened to him but I don't recall him getting any jail time. I think he just got stuck in rehab for a while, I vaguely remember visiting him there. He was able to go back to a normal life and didn't even learn his lesson. He got pulled for a DUI some years later. :oops: In fact I'm pretty sure he still drinks and drives to this day. At least it would not surprise me in the least. So it's not a great situation for either side but it's certainly far worse for the side that lost family members to the grave. I'm sure you realize that but I just wanted to share my perspective since I've had a family member involved in this". ---- Thanks for your input. It's most appreciated.

TruffleShuffle wrote: "you're also far, far less likely to kill someone because you're talking on your cell phone than you are because you're driving drunk". ---What? Truffle, I think maybe you're slamming down at few beers while you're posting your response to this particular forum. Remember, it's not good to "drink and post". The fact is, whether or not you're legally drunk, messing with the cigarette lighter, talking on the cell phone or whatever... you are distracted to different degrees and you're are not concentrating on driving. I'm sure if a study were done on comparing the two-- the results would be the same. Heck just the other day, I was turning on the radio and I ended up going over the center line. Now there was a car coming from the opposite direction, probably 500 feet away. What if I had decided to find a radio station and thye same thing happened--just as the other car was going by me? And as far as showing Leyritz a "little" empathy, it's the Christian thing to do. ---Zero, I never said that Leyritz had not driven while drunk before. Heck, I don't even know the man. Chances are yes, he has probably tried it before and gotten away with it...the same thing could probably said for Tony La Russa (You watch, someone will now get on this board and accuse me of comparing La Russa' situation to Leyritz's). ...Man, I just wish Spring Training were here so we could all concentrate on the Cubs. I see that I'm not the only one whose bored.