CHICAGO – More than 75 Chicago Cubs players, alumni and staff including newcomers Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist will be in attendance at the 31st annual Cubs Convention next weekend at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, the team announced on Friday. Franchise home run leader Sammy Sosa, however, won’t be there as he and the Cubs continue a rift which began at the end of Sosa’s career in Chicago.
The newcomers will be joined by many of the Cubs who made it to the NLCS last season including Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant, Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta and manager of the year Joe Maddon. Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber and Jon Lester will also be in attendance as the weekend will be filled with autograph sessions and panel discussions.
Former Cubs Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Rick Sutcliffe and Kerry Wood headline alumni who will be attending and part of the weekend festivities as well.
A percentage of proceeds from the weekend benefit Cubs charities. Opening ceremonies are Friday at 6 pm. Here is a full list of current and former Cubs attending:
Andury Acevedo, RHP
John Baker, C
Arismendy Alcantara, INF/OF
Edgar Olmos, LHP
Jose Cardenal, OF
Jake Arrieta, RHP
Neil Ramirez, RHP
Ryan Dempster, RHP
Javier Baez, INF
Clayton Richard, LHP
Bobby Dernier, OF
Dallas Beeler, RHP
Anthony Rizzo, INF
Scott Eyre, LHP
Rex Brothers, LHP
Hector Rondon, RHP
Randy Hundley, C
Kris Bryant, INF
David Ross, C
Fergie Jenkins, RHP
Trevor Cahill, RHP
Zac Rosscup, LHP
Jon Lieber, RHP
Jeimer Candelario, INF
Addison Russell, INF
Ted Lilly, LHP
Carl Edwards Jr., RHP
Kyle Schwarber, C
Bill Madlock, INF
Justin Grimm, RHP
Jorge Soler, OF
Dave Otto, LHP, Broadcaster
Jason Hammel, RHP
Pedro Strop, RHP
Ryne Sandberg, INF
Kyle Hendricks, RHP
Matt Szczur, OF
Scott Sanderson, RHP
Jason Heyward, OF
Dan Vogelbach, INF
Lee Smith, RHP
Pierce Johnson, RHP
Adam Warren, RHP
Tim Stoddard, RHP
Eric Jokisch, LHP
Travis Wood, LHP
Rick Sutcliffe, RHP
John Lackey, RHP
Ben Zobrist, INF
Steve Trout, LHP
Jon Lester, LHP
Billy Williams, OF
Kerry Wood, RHP