Weekend Passes Now Available Through Mastercard

If you have not yet purchased weekend passes for the 2017 Cubs Convention you just might be in luck - if you have a MasterCard!  MasterCard has made available 50 pairs of weekend passes through their Priceless benefits program.

Go to https://www.priceless.com/en-us/unitedstates/2017-Cubs-Convention/offer.html for an opportunity to purchase a pair of passes for $216.  That's face value!  (The passes are only sold in pairs.)

When you complete your order, you will receive a voucher via email that can be exchanged for the passes at the registration desk.

Good luck!

Cubs Convention 10 Days Away and Still No Details from Cubs

Anxious fans would love details regarding the upcoming Cubs Convention, but true to form, the Cubs have not revealed any such information - even as the Convention is scheduled to commence next Friday.  Hopefully, information regarding the schedule and attendees will be published in the next few days.

If you don't have a ticket yet and are still looking to attend, the prices on Stubhub have started to fall somewhat.  Last week, a pair of tickets with the fees included would have cost in excess of $600.  As of today, a pair of tickets could be had for $530.  Still a steep markup over the $108 face value but prices should continue to fall on the secondary market as the Convention approaches.

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

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.    

Implications of a Potential Lockout on the 2017 Cubs Convention

As you may know, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between the club owners and players is set to expire on December 1, 2016 and in advance of the deadline, the owners' camp has leaked that they would consider a lockout if the sides could not reach a timely agreement.  Essentially the opposite of a strike, a lockout would have the owners refusing to allow the players to be present at the workplace, such as Wrigley Field or the spring training facilities in Arizona.

As in all negotiations, it is not yet clear how much of this threat is bluster or posturing; however, if such a lockout is actually implemented, the ramifications for the 2017 Cubs Convention would be striking.  Most likely, a lockout would mean that current players would be refused entry to the Sheraton to participate in the Convention.

Baseball has enjoyed an extended period of relative labor peace, with the last strike having occurred in 1994.  This labor strife was so dramatic that the postseason was canceled (sorry Expos!) and the strike lasted until April 2, 1995, causing a delay to the start of the 1995 season.  The Cubs held the annual Convention in January of 1995, however, despite the ongoing strike.  

Because the labor dispute was between owners and the players, none of the rostered players were in attendance at the 1995 Convention.  Accordingly, all of the autograph sessions and panel presentations featured only retired players, front office personnel, coaches and broadcasters.  Jim Riggleman, the Cubs' newly hired skipper, was in attendance for the 1995 Convention but no active players.

Hopefully, there is no work stoppage as baseball tries to build on an exciting postseason and the Cubs having taken the world by storm.  The 2017 Convention just would not be the same if our championship Cubs players were not there to keep the party going.  

2017 Cubs Convention Weekend Passes Sell Out Quicker than a Chapman Heater

The Cubs offered weekend passes for the 2017 Cubs Convention through pre-sales available to season ticket holders and a second open to Mastercard holders.  The weekend passes then went on sale to the general public on Friday November 18th and by all accounts, each of these three rounds of sales were complete sellouts within minutes of their respective start times.

As of this time, hundreds of passes are available on Stubhub but if you have to go this route, be prepared to pay a huge premium.  With Stubhub's fees tacked on, passes will cost at least $440 each!

There are also a few passes available on Craiglist that may be cheaper than Stubhub, but buyers beware that there are no guarantees the passes being sold on Craigslist are genuine.

Hopefully you were lucky and got the passes you needed.  The 2017 Cubs Convention is not to be missed!

Weekend Passes For 2017 Cubs Convention on Sale Friday, November 18th

The Cubs have announced that weekend passes will go on sale Friday, November 18, 2016 at noon.

There is also a special presale for Mastercard holders that starts at 10:00 a.m. CST on November 18, 2016.

The price has increased significantly this year from the $75 (including all fees) these cost last year. The weekend passes are now $108 (cheeky) plus convenience fees and will be valid for all three days.

Good luck - these will be tough to get this year if you don't act quickly!

Well, It Happened...It Actually Happened!

For all of us who have rooted for the Cubs our entire lives, the dream is finally a reality.  The Cubs have won the 2016 World Series in thrilling fashion over the Cleveland Indians and after having fallen behind 3-1 in the series.

Accordingly, the 2017 Cubs Convention will be like no other and will feature the celebration of the team that helped make our dreams come true.

If you had not already booked a Convention hotel package (long sold out) there will still be an opportunity to take part in the 2017 Cubs Convention.  Expect weekend passes to go on sale later this month.  We will pass along the date as soon as it has been announced by the Cubs.

It's not a dream - the Cubs are World Series Champions!

The 2016 Chicago Cubs are National League Champions

Wrigley Field looking as beautiful as ever, basking in the warm glow of a late October sun. 

Are you ready for Game 6?

Kerry Wood, sporting a Ron Santo jersey, tosses the ceremonial first pitch.

Kris Bryant, just moments before driving in Dexter Fowler to give the Cubs the only run they would end up needing. 

After having chased Clayton Kershaw, the Cubs are in control here in the bottom of the 8th and just three outs away.

Total domination by Kyle Hendricks, Aroldis Champan and a Cubs lineup that made Clayton Kershaw look decidedly mortal.

Celebration time!

Anthony Rizzo's home run off of Clayton Kershaw in the 5th was the final nail in the Dodgers coffin.

Jon Lester and Javy Baez share NLCS co-MVP honors.

We have all waited so long to see this!

Cubs Dispatch Giants In Probably the Most Exciting Comeback Ever

Cheers.

You'll certainly find much better recaps elsewhere but - holy wow - that was just an incredible game!
How could you not love a team that does not give up and fights to the end?

Kris Bryant said it best - "We get 27 outs and we're going to use every one of them."

Looking forward to the NLCS - go Cubs!!