Please visit the Cubs Convention Fans Subreddit to share your thoughts on the Cubs Convention, who you got to meet, what presentations you attended, what you got autographed, what players and features you would like to see at the Cubs Convention or to ask questions.

Monday, December 19, 2016

2017 Cubs Convention Weekend Passes Have Shipped

Photo Credit: /r/rich101682
If you were lucky enough to have been able to purchase 2017 Cubs Convention weekend passes directly from the Cubs, the passes have begun to ship.  And wow are they beautiful!  The Cubs championship still seems so surreal. 

If you purchased a convention package at the Sheraton or W Lakeshore, your passes will not be mailed to you.  Instead, they will be handed out at the convention.

Here are the Cubs Convention passes throughout the years.  If you have any from before 1995, I would love to add them - send me a note at cubsconvention@hotmail.com.  



2013 featured a baseball-shaped pass


2011 passes featured select players - this is Alfonso Soriano

Aramis Ramirez

Marlon Byrd



2008 - featuring a photo of Aramis Ramirez's walk-off home run against the Brewers on June 29, 2007




2004 - Celebrating the 2003 Central Division Championship










Thursday, December 15, 2016

Toyota Cubs Van, Circa 1987

I just took my oldest son to get his drivers’ permit.  So I feel old.  I let him pull into the driveway and, quite frankly, I have never been so nervous about a car ride that covered less than 75 feet.  Good for him though, as I thought back wistfully to that bundle of freedom and responsibility that accompanied becoming a licensed driver.

I was on the verge of getting my license way back in 1987.  According to my drivers’ education instructor, driving was privilege, not a right.  Bah.  Not only was I destined to drive, I already had my car picked out.  It was beautiful and I had no doubt I would be THE coolest kid in high school when I pulled up. 

I had a frank discussion with my parents that a new car for the family was going to be necessary and a minivan was the perfect choice.  “Just think about how much easier your lives will be letting me drive all over and run errands for you!” 

My dad scoffed, “Buick does not make any of those new-fangled minivans.  Nice try.”  So I subtly suggested Toyota.  I am not sure that I remember my dad ever laughing so hard. 

Ace up my sleeve, I casually whipped out my Cubs gift catalog and directed his attention to the back cover.  Featured there was not just any Toyota van; it was THE COOLEST VAN EVER. 


“That’s not a Buick!” he just howled.  “Could you even fit a sheet of drywall in that thing?”  Wow, that did not go down like I had expected.  But it's a Super Van!  It's the rage of the auto industy!

So when it came time to trade in the LeSabre, you’ll never guess what we got.  This mad sexy beast:


In retrospect, the maroon and wood-paneled Buick Electra Estate Wagon was probably a better choice for the family.  I can’t help but wonder, though, if anyone bought the Cubs van and how much better their lives were because of it.