Cubs Convention Ushers in "Next Year"

The 22^nd annual Chicago Cubs Convention kicked off Friday evening at the historic Hilton Chicago. There was an unmistakable air of optimism among the assembled diehards who came to see their heroes of Cubbie past, including Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Ryne Sandberg, and their hopes for a Cubbie future, including Alfonso Soriano and, not the least of which, new skipper Lou Piniella.

Sports clichés were at a high. Yet, amidst declarations that "all the pieces are in place" and "we're gonna' do it for you guys, the fans," there was an unmistaken, genuine belief in the room that next year was indeed finally here.

The 1945 Curse of the Billy Goat, the Black Cat of '69, and the infamous Bartman Ball of 2003; all these things, along with a miserable 66-96 record last season, are the things of Chicago Cubs past. Opening night of the 2007 Chicago Cubs Convention was carried live on WGN Radio, AM-720. It was a decidedly forward-looking affair.

A packed house greeted Lou Piniella to a chorus of "Lou, Lou, Lou." But the most boisterous welcome was reserved for when WGN announcer, David Kaplan, introduced "the man who will be going into the hall of fame soon." And Ron Santo did not disappoint. With that infinite optimism only old No. 10 can muster for his beloved Chicago Cubs, Santo brushed aside last season's woeful last place finish to three key players being injured and said that with manager Lou Piniella, the Cubbies now have "the right guy for the job."

He thinks the Cubs can go all the way in 2007.

Alfonso Soriano, the multi-million dollar outfielder signed during the off-season, agreed with Santo's sentiments. In broken English at times hard to follow, two words -- "World Series" -- came through loud and clear to the robust approval of Chicago Cubs fans. "I will do
Catcher Michael Barrett joined Soriano at the podium for the 2007 Chicago Cubs Convention. "[It] makes it a hell of a lot easier to put years like [2006] behind you," he said, "when the team goes out and signs players like Alfonso Soriano." A short round of boos ensued, however, when, referring to an incident during the Cubs-Sox series last season, Barrett said he would try not to punch out White Sox catcher A.J Pierzynski when the two ball clubs meet again this year. The scuffle earned the Chicago Cubs catcher a ten-game suspension last season.

Barrett really got folks at the convention going when discussing Cubs ace, Carlos Zambrano. "'Z' has electric stuff," he said of his battery-mate. "I want him to pitch a perfect game; I want to catch a perfect game." And then, with a robust confidence that fit right in at the 2007 Chicago Cubs Convention, Barrett declared, "I know he's gonna win a CY [Cy Young Award] this year!"

For his part, new manager Lou Piniella -- the other marquee, big dollar signing from the off-season -- noted the "urgency to win" felt throughout the Chicago Cubs organization. Extolling the virtues of "hustle," Piniella said he and his players would do what it takes to bring a World Series to Chicago's north side. "I didn't know there were so many darned Cubs fans," he added.

The crowd at the 2007 Chicago Cubs Convention loved that part.

After delighting Cubs fans with tales of tact involved with of getting an umpire's ire, the new Cubs skipper summed up his managerial philosophy: "Play to win. Play hard. Have some passion. And that is what you'll see from our ball club this season."

Even Pat Hughes, the usually impassive Cubs radio play-by-play man for WGN Radio, AM-720, got caught up in the boundless optimism of the 2007 Chicago Cubs Convention. "After the letdown in 2004," he said, referring to the year many picked the Cubs to win the World Series only to see the team fall flat on its face, "[I promised] never again to allow myself to get overly optimistic with high expectations ... but after all the off-season moves, I can't help but say bring it on in 2007."

Anything can happen during a 162-game baseball season. Will the Chicago Cubs finally escape the baseball doldrums? It's nice to think so, if even for one forward-looking weekend in January. If the 2008 Chicago Cubs Convention actually does have something to look back on -- if the talk is of "last year" rather than "next year" -- then Cubs fans will know all this year's optimism was more than a happy collection of sports clichés.

The only source was the live broadcast on WGN Radio, AM-720.