Cubs Convention Part Nine

This was the last day of Cubs Convention. I was pretty tired, but I still managed to get up in time to be in Darwin Barney's autograph line. Everyone wanted a piece of him. And then he was late. Tardy, tardy, Darwin. It was pretty disappointing. And because of his sleeping in, by the time I got out of his line, Scott Baker's line was closed. Whatevs. He was worth the wait.

Now, the Cubs security started to get kind of pushy about getting photos with the players. And I get that, because people were wanting to move the lines along, etc. But I watched Angela jump into Darwin's little area from Scott Baker's, and I was like, NO. She didn't wake up in time--she should suffer. Of course, she didn't suffer. Darwin loves her. She got a photo with him and like seven autographs. Sheesh.

So i got up and snapped a good one. I love this so much. His bed head is A-MAAAAZING! And also, that security guard in the background, and I think his name is Bob or something, screamed at me after. I don't care. It was worth it.

I then went over and talked to James Russell. James and I are pretty tight. He made a fan cave video for me, which was ultimately unsuccessful, but whatever. It was awesome. He said I'm the Cubs biggest fan. I knew he would have a great season. Don't we look like BFFs here?

Oh, and this is us chatting. He is entranced by my words.

Now, the autograph/meet and greet portion was about done. But some of the people in the Darwin Barney line had been reading a book that they got at the Convention called The Chicago Cap Murders. Naturally, I had to check it out. That is where I found the book, as well as its author and his wife. This is the writer, Warren Friedman. He was simply lovely. If you are a Cubs fan and a Chicago fan, you should read the book. It's amazing how accurately he gets every detail about Chicago!

In the lobby, ready to leave, who do I see but good old Alan, my favorite Under Armor spokesperson!

Here's our crew. It had been a long but awesome weekend.

And just when we were thinking about food, I spotted Josh Vitters. Erin, who had been sleeping, woke up immediately. This is her sleepily waiting for Josh Vitters to take a picture with her. Isn't she the cutest?

Here's me and Josh. He looks fresh.

And here is the autographed ball I got in my Cubs Convention mystery bag. Who the crack is this?

It was a great weekend, and here I will leave you with some of the Pepsi booth pictures.

Me and Steve Trout

Me and Dave Sappelt

All of us and Tony Campana

Me and Tony Campana

Hey, Cubs fans, go to Cubs Convention next year. It isn't all about autographs and meeting the players--although if you think you're too cool to enjoy that, you are a pretentious snob. You get to see cool things, meet awesome people, and learn a lot. I think I liked the seminars more than almost anything. Next year, we're staying at the hotel.

Cubs Convention Part 7

Now, I like to go to the seminars, even though some people think it's a waste of time because you don't meet the players. And you know what? Sometimes you do meet the players! So anyway, Erin and Angela and I went to a couple seminars. The first one was a Sports Central Live broadcast featuring Starlin Castro, Tony Campana, and Shawn Camp.

Basically, when Tony Campana is somewhere, we are also there. Except now that he is a Diamondback.....

I like his shirt and I want to get it.

Afterwards, Tony Campana signed, as usual, and guess who got an autograph?

Erin did, of course. Always.

The next conference included Brett Jackson, Anthony Rizzo, and Edwin Jackson.

Now, I would like to take some credit here, because I have been an Edwin Jackson fan for a LOOOOONG time. I have proof:

This is back in 2010 at Frank Thomas's jersey retirement. First time I met him. I was smitten.

So I went to Sox Fest in 2011, and I saw him there. And it was glorious.

Then at my first Cubs game of the 2012 season when the Nationals came to town, I met him again.

But that wasn't enough, so I went to Milwaukee to see him again when the Nationals played there.

So afterwards, as much as I love Brett and Anthony, really I just wanted to meet Edwin and welcome him to our beautiful town, and Edwin signed FOREVER! But he just kept moving away from me....

He finally stopped signing because he was hungry, so I walked away, dejected, to pout in the hallway. I was with Angela, Erin, and Erin's mom Jamie, pouting on a couch. Erin was actually waiting by a doorway because she was sure Anthony Rizzo was going to come out, when all of a sudden she yelled, "Edwin Jackson!"

Edwin was walking down the hallway, so we dropped everything and my spirit soared, because there he was!

Well, Edwin was very taken with Erin. He just loved her! His agent gave his number to Jamie and said that Edwin wanted to give her tickets to any game she wanted to go to. What did I tell you about Erin? People LOVE her!!!!!!! 

And lo and behold, he has given her tickets to Opening Day. Don't tell me athletes are selfish jerks. Edwin Jackson is just one example of an amazing person.

And then Ronnie Woo Hoo played the piano for us, and life was good.

 But just wait until part 8.....

Goodbye, Tony Campana

I have purposely waited a few days to write out my feelings about the most recent Cubs' loss. I didn't want to be overly emotional. Someone told me once that part of the curse of being a Cubs fan is that you get attached to mediocre players. Maybe that's true, and maybe I am overreacting to the loss of the popular outfielder.

Except I am not overreacting. Here is my argument for why Tony Campana should've stayed with the Cubs.

First, I'll start with the obvious: speed. Tony is, without a doubt, the fastest man in baseball. He is most likely one of the fastest men alive. But fast guys are a dime a dozen--what makes Tony's speed special? I would argue that, in addition to his speed, it's his base-running prowess. Tony's smart. He knows when to run and when not to, when to try for two bases when a normal human might only get one. He's going to keep the pitcher's eye on him instead of on the batter. You have to pitch differently when Tony's on base. He's aggressive, especially in clutch situations. Check out the stats and you'll see what I mean. At one point in the season, Tony led the league in stolen bases, and he did that being a non-starter who spent a chunk of the season in AAA Iowa. In 2012, he was caught stealing only three times.

But let's get away from the obvious. This kid finds a way to get on base. Whether it's a walk, running out what would normally be just a sacrifice bunt, or running out a dropped third strike, or running out an infield hit, he's a fighter. Maybe it's the cancer-survivor in him, or maybe it's just the athlete in him. Doesn't matter why, only that he's going to get on base. His OBP was .309 in 2012, and I imagine it would've been higher given more opportunity.

And let's talk about Tony the Personality. Don't tell me clubhouse morale will not change without him around. I've seen him joking around on the field and in the dugout. He's a little jumping-bean of energy and he pumps the guys up. If you don't believe me, ask the players. He's consistently named as favorite teammate. And what about the fans? There is not a more fan-friendly player than Tony. Game after game, during B.P., after the games, whenever there's an opportunity, he's signing and posing for pictures and laughing. I would argue that fans come to the game to see him. I know that's true because I have talked to the fans. In a season where the Cubs will probably not be contenders, how will you bring in the fans? With players like Tony. If you were at the Cubs Convention, you would see that it's true, that he is absolutely beloved.

Maybe Tony wouldn't be a starter ever on any team. But when you want good men on the bench, which every MLB team needs, you need someone like Tony to fill that spot.

Tony has been good to me for the past two years. I will miss him and his soon-to-be wife Whitney on a personal level, and of course I am biased because I love their personalities. But I truly believe we are losing so much by losing Tony, and I think we'll see that soon enough.