Cubs Convention illustrated retrospective.

Hi.
Well, you know that Vine Line and I parted ways so now I gotta plunk down the cash to go to the Cubs Convention.
Whatever, this year it actually seems like there'll be cool stuff going on.
I'm dying to hear what Joe Maddon has to say that might be a little more insightful than, "We're gonna get more left-handed," you know?
Anyway, I missed last year but otherwise I've been going since '08.

Here are some drawings and photos from those conventions.
This is from 2012, and while everybody is gobsmacked by the players, I really love overhearing regular Cub Fans talk...

This is from '09 when a guy in front of me at the opening ceremony started crying during the video before any players even came out.


Here's one from the same year - a really mad fan yells at hitting coach Gerald Perry about Alfonso Soriano. Perry's response was priceless.


Here's from '10, when they had me up on a small stage with Randy Hundley and Brett Jackson. I was to speak about doing illustrations for Vine Line. Even with the 4 fans in the room, it was intimidating.


To break the ice, I asked Randy Hundley for an autograph.

One time I actually had my sketchbook with me and got a really cool autograph from Pat Hughes.


In '13, Tom Ricketts got kind of passionate about being restricted by rooftop owners and the city when it came to running the club.


I swear at every convention, this dude walks around in his pajamas all Saturday long. 


There are so many times when out of nowhere one of your fav all timers is just sitting there, like Jody Davis (I still feel bad for Billy Buckner, but it was cool to see people being cool to him).



And this is probably my favorite drawing from any convention, a mom and son talking about the "sweet spot" on a baseball for an autograph.


Okay so look for some drawings probably on Sunday. 
Go Cubs!
It's weird how much I'm looking forward to this...

Comments

[Bud]

You can tell them for me that flushing the name of "Cubs Park" in Mesa, changing it to "Sloan Park" is pretty disappointing!

I hope Sloan Valve paid enough to at least pay Kris Bryant for a few months!

I wonder...did the owner of Sloan think to ask himself if assuring that the Cubs fans are flushing a Sloan valve on ballpark urinals is going to make any impact on his business?

Bottom line: if you're peeing at the ballpark you've been drinking beer. And if you've drunk enough to have to pee, then you will not remember (or care) who made the urinal flush valve!

If I were Mr. Sloan or Mr. Flush or whatever his name is, I'd have paid the same amount to have the Cubs assure that the name stayed CUBS PARK for as long as the deal lasts.

It woulda been great publicity...too bad they pissed away the opportunity!!!

[Tim@Cubby Blue]

Had to google that, had no idea it happened.
So far I can see nothing that talks about changing the signage, but surely since they're paying 7 figures they'll get some kind of obvious recognition somewhere.
Wince.