For fans eager to get the season started, the Cubs Convention, held Jan. 18-20, is the perfect mid-winter filler between the end of the regular season and the start of spring training.
Individual weekend passes for the 2013 event went on sale last week at 60 a pop at Cubs.com. Fans can also book rooms at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers (phone: 800-233-4100) for the Cubs Convention rate of 179 per night. Those who book a two-night stay at the hotel will receive an authentic, autographed photo of Anthony Rizzo and Brett Jackson and can purchase up to four Convention passes for a reduced rate of 20 each.
This will be the first year the Cubs are holding the annual Convention at the Sheraton. Last year was a big hit as the Theo Epstein era, featuring the president of baseball operations and his rebuilt front office staff sitting in on panels and answering fans' questions. It was also the first Convention since Ron Santo's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame and a panel was held in his honor featuring former broadcast partner Pat Hughes, as well as Santo's family and former teammates.
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Of course, the highlight from last year's Convention was Kerry Wood's re-signing, announced in front of the entire crowd during the Opening Ceremonies.
Rizzo, Jackson, Starlin Castro and Jeff Samardzija headline a cast of more than 50 current, former and minor league Cubs players and personnel this year. The Convention will kick off at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and run until 9 p.m. with hours from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday before concluding with four hours Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit Cubs.com for more information.