Cubs, Sox fests major hits with fans
Mention the inaugural Cubs Convention to John McDonough and the memories come rushing back.
"I remember walking in and talking to (GM) Dallas Green and (team president) Don Grenesko before the original one and they both said, 'Do you think anyone will show up?'" said McDonough, the president of the Chicago Blackhawks who at the time was the marketing man for the Cubs.
Then there was the issue of securing uber-popular broadcaster Harry Caray to serve as the emcee of the event.
"I basically told him this was going to be a cocktail party in his honor," McDonough said with a laugh.
About 1,500 people showed up that first year. The number doubled the following year. Then the Cubs won the pennant in 1989, and the convention sold out. It's been a sellout since.
And the idea of fan conventions has spread throughout baseball and other pro leagues as well, becoming a marketing tool for the teams while at the same time giving fans up-close access to players and executives they might not normally have.
It didn't take long for McDonough to sense that he was on to something.
"The genesis of the convention was to market our product 12 months a year," he said. "It got people talking baseball and it got everyone under one roof.
"This was pre sports talk radio - it gave the fans a forum."
Later this month the Cubs will be hosting their 25th annual event for 15,000 fans at the Hilton Chicago. The following week, the White Sox will stage their own version - SoxFest - before a Palmer House Hilton crowd of 10,000.
"It's a springboard to the start of the season," McDonough said. "You know that spring training is right around the corner."
Both conventions will feature current players and team management. And, as always, quite a few former players return to soak it all in.
"The former players come back and they're like rock stars," McDonough said. "The opening ceremony is like a concert."
But in the end, it's all about the fans.
"I remember going up to the suites some nights and talking baseball and 3 o'clock would turn to 4 o'clock," McDonough said. "The next morning you would come down and there would be people sleeping in line waiting for a seminar. I enjoyed that.
"I enjoyed seeing young fans there meeting their heroes and knowing they would probably become Cubs fans for life."
It has been 25 years since the original - a few years less for SoxFest - and McDonough can only smile when he thinks back.
"It was absolutely rewarding," he said. "A very enjoyable time."
The skinny
The Cubs will celebrate their 25th Cubs Convention this month, which will be followed by the 18th annual gathering of White Sox fans at SoxFest. Here's a quick comparison:
Cubs Convention
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15; 9 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Jan. 16, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17
Tickets: Sold out at $60 for weekend, but some tickets available through brokers.
Hotel host: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 922-4400, cubs.com
Attendance: 15,000
Attendees: Four minor leaguers, 25 current players, 22 former players (including four Hall of Famers), Lou Piniella and seven coaches, four broadcasters and the Ricketts family
Highlights:
• New Baseball Interactive Room featuring batting, pitching and fielding clinics and other baseball-related activities
• Discussion sessions with future, current and former Cubs players as well as a "Meet the Ricketts Family" session
• New Cubs Corner featuring history of the Chicago Cubs and other entertaining components
• More than 50 autograph and photo opportunities
• Cubs games used equipment and uniform sale in the Cubs Locker area
• Saturday night Cubs dance party
• Cubs Bingo
Vendors: More than 50 vendors featuring unique memorabilia and authentic Cubs merchandise as well as corporate partners
Broadcast partners on site: WGN Radio, WGN TV and Comcast Sports Net Chicago
SoxFest
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 (for hotel guests only), 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24
Tickets: $75 three-day pass with hotel stay, $70 for two-day weekend, $50 for Saturday, $35 for Sunday.
Hotel host (with discounted passes): Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago, with reservations via whitesox.com/soxfest
Attendance: 10,000
Attendees: 15 current players, 13 former players, Ozzie Guillen and seven coaches, four broadcasters and general manager Ken Williams
Highlights:
• Easy access to photo sessions with current and former players
• Q&A sessions with manager Ozzie Guillen and general manager Ken Williams.
• Discussions with former and current Sox hitters and pitchers.
• Interactive area with Bulls/Sox Academy instructors
• WSCR 670-AM broadcasts from site all weekend and interviews players and former players
• Autograph and memorabilia hall
• SoxFest garage sale with game-used bats, jerseys, jackets, caps, balls and more
Vendors: More than 20 vendors featuring unique memorabilia and authentic Sox merchandise as well as Sox corporate partners
Broadcast partners on site: Comcast Sports Net and WSCR 670-AM
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=348679">Helpful tips for navigating the conventions <span class="date">[01/08/10]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>