Laura

If Prior says he's peeved about anything, it'll probably about being described as "peeved." I'll be surprised if he's not completely professional about it.

I'm interested in knowing if those questions are screened. I've never been so I'm not familiar with the proceedure they use. If they are, most of those questions I'm sure won't be asked. Anybody know? No, they're not screened. You just get in line and ask away. Anyone who is going -- get up there early, because they usually run out of time.

Well, Prior will be talking to the media today and will no doubt be asked about it. Then we'll have his actual statement to overanalyze instead of rumors. That's progress, right? :joker:

Anyone have a link to the clutch debate? SonnyD is new here. Please take further general (non-Lugo) clutch / situational discussion to this thread. Thanks.

Thanks, Roast! Whoa, I didn't realize the Merrillville event was last night. I thought it was usually on Thursday-Friday. (if anyone else goes to a caravan stop, please post your review!) Someone posted this before, but Hairston is listed on the Cubs roster as an outfielder.

Excellent! You must be relieved! Welcome to the forums! I don't live in the area, but I've been planning on making a trip there sometime this summer to catch a few games.

There's another week for people to get them in (deadline is January 18).

That sounds right. It used to be a lottery and they'd just put a list of winners up on the wall.

It's so true. He's like, shell-shocked or something. Just like we are.

Ok, here's a long writeup geared toward auto-hunting with the huge caveat that I've only actually collected a few autographs at past conventions, so I really don't know what I'm talking about. This is the way they've done things the past few years -- who knows if it will be the same this year. When you arrive, you go downstairs to register and get your packet with the schedule, etc (if you're staying at the hotel, ask when you check in about the registration materials). The packet will include lottery tickets for auto sessions for players in high demand (Maddux, Prior and Wood have been recent lottery tickets). Fill 'em out, turn 'em in and they'll post the winners at some announced time. I've heard that if you *really really* want a winning lottery ticket, you can hang out where they post the winners and scalp one. They have autograph signings and picture booths located in a downstairs ballroom. There will be schedule of who's where when in the convention packet. Be forewarned that lots of people go only to collect autographs and the lines are not all that well organized, so it can be a zoo. Again, if you really want someone's autograph or picture, be prepared to get there very early and spend a lot of time in line. The storefront booths are located in another downstairs ballroom and it's worth wandering through to see everything that's for sale. You can find plenty of stuff to have signed there. They do have an auction for new and game-used jerseys, etc; just ask around if you don't see a sign for it. There's also a silent auction for 7th inning stretch singer stuff in the registration room, and look around/ask around for any other lotteries/auctions that are going on there. If you attend the sessions, often players and others will sign during the breaks (the sessions that are broadcast have radio breaks). They'll let you know when it's ok to ask and when to sit down. They've emphasized past teams in 20-year cycles, so expect to see some 1986 Cubs wandering around. sidenote: just realized that 1986 team (70-90) will have had 3 Hall-of-Famers -- Eckersley, Sandberg and Maddux -- as well as Rafael Palmeiro (hmmm...). Jon already thunderstruck my advice on the sessions. :) They usually put the audio files of the broadcast portions of the convention on the WGN radio website after the convention, so you can always choose to go to a non-broadcast session and listen to the other sessions later.

Not a problem. People who go will often post their notes or even audio files/pictures of sessions that aren't broadcast, which is much appreciated. We have just historically kept those reports in the Events Forum to keep them organized. I'll put the rest of my suggestions in the Events Forum thread in a little while.

There's a thread with the convention schedule and discussion in the Events Forum. It would be great if you'd post your thoughts on the convention (especially since it's your first!) when you get a chance. The Opening Ceremonies are at 5, but the last couple of years the ballroom has filled to capacity quickly, so you should plan on being there early if you want to attend. In terms of suggestions and pointers -- what are you most interested in? Going to the more serious discussions of team issues? Interactions with the players? Autographs and memorabilia? All of the above? :)

Welcome to the forums! :D

Some sort of spousal abuse charge. A couple days later his wife admitted she either made it up or really exaggerated it, can't remember which. A bit unfortunate for Julio though, I think the Astros released him because of it. He was charged with midemeanor assault after allegations that he assaulted his wife. A week later, she obtained a temporary restraining order against him. The Astros released him after his arrest.* Tampa Bay signed him a few days later. Piniella was quoted at the time: "Everybody makes mistakes," Piniella said. "You learn from mistakes and you go forward. At the same time we're looking to improve our baseball team. I don't think there are too many people walking streets that wouldn't take back a couple of things that they've done in their life, including myself." When the case went to trial in Texas, Lugo said his wife attacked him and he defended himself. His wife recanted on the stand and various accounts have her saying that he didn't mean to hit her or that her injuries were self-inflicted as she tried to pull away away from him and banged her own head against the window. Lugo signed autographs for the jury after the verdict. *They claimed a lot of credit for releasing him on moral grounds. Some cynics think that his lack of on-field production at the time may have contributed to that decision.

In the Trib/AP article, Hendry indicates that the lack of playing time that Corey would get as a bench player here would hamper his re-development.

This kinda-sorta update was hidden at the bottom of the Patterson trade article.

apologies if this has already been posted.

Last year some passes became available at the last minute ... don't know if the same will happen this year. The Bleed Cubbie Blue blog has the full convention schedule. I haven't seen it posted elsewhere yet.

It can be tough enough to root for a team when the team is only responsible for fielding a baseball team. I really don't want or need the Cubs to act as some sort of moral compass. You're broadening the decision-making question to cover "indiscretions" vs. actual legal crimes. What if a team released a player because he was gay? There are all sorts of things that could be considered "indiscretions" by corporate suits that involve the way someone chooses to live his life and that actually really don't have anything to do with how well he plays baseball. Carlos Zambrano has served some suspension time for his on-field antics -- and those do directly relate to how he does his job. Should Z be released for his indiscretions? Do you think anyone would hire him if he were? :wink:

I suppose there's some hypothetical limit for me, but it's tough to envision a scenario in which that limit would be surpassed and the ballplayer would still be roaming the streets ready to play baseball. Overall, I'd prefer to have the legal system take care of legal issues and the team take care of baseball issues.

His wife recanted and said her injuries were self-inflicted.

Heck, he'll probably be their cleanup hitter behind Cabrera. Heh. I haven't kept up with what position players they still have left.

Is Hermida slotted for Opening Day with the Marlins?

It's the career list from baseballreference.com.

FYI: Johan Santana - 9.47 K/9 (856 IPs)