Chicago Cubs: The 2016 Cubs Convention filled with hype

The Cubs Convention is a perfect place for fans to let their optimism run wild with lofty expectations in 2016

The approach to what will now be the 31st annual Chicago Cubs Convention should be familiar to regular attendees of the event, but the hype provided by fans stuffed inside the Sheraton Hotel will be abnormal compared to previous years.

After exceeding expectations in 2015, the Cubs understand they won’t be catching anybody by surprise this upcoming season. Joe Maddon had a lot to do with instilling confidence in his young and inexperienced group last year.

Add in other aspects of his coaching philosophies and he managed the Cubs to 97 wins in his first season on the North side.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs betting heavily that arms can carry them to their next championship
• 3 roster battles the Cubs will answer by the end of this season
• Cubs have a new late-inning shutdown arm in young Brandon Hughes
• After the Cubs traded him, Mychal Givens has been a hot mess for the Mets
• Cubs might have uncovered a diamond in the rough in Franmil Reyes

Maddon knows his team will be a “target” in the National League in 2016 and expects them to “embrace” it. Before a set roster is constructed for next season, fans, as well as players and staff members, can enjoy a weekend of entertainment by way of the Convention.

For me, the Cubs Convention is the start of an official countdown before pitchers and catchers report to Spring training. I was lucky enough to experience the fun last year and it’s easy to characterize the atmosphere as electric. This year should be even more exciting as Cubs fans have good reason to consider their team as World Series favorites entering 2016.

Fans have a chance to meet some of their favorite players this weekend and sit in on panels. Popular segments include Joe Maddon and His Coaching Staff along with Meet The New Cubs — which should be particularly interesting with Jason Heyward, John Lackey, Adam Warren and Ben Zobrist all scheduled to attend. The full schedule of events can be found here.

Other notable Cubs expected to attend include:

• Jake Arrieta
• Javier Baez
• Kris Bryant
• Jon Lester
• Anthony Rizzo
• Kyle Schwarber
• Addison Russell
• John Baker
• Fergie Jenkins
• Ryne Sandberg
• Kerry Wood
• Rick Sutcliffe
• Billy Williams
• Ted Lilly
• Ryan Dempster

The Cubs Convention is a great opportunity for fans to get a glimpse at what to expect in the coming season. Its also nice to experience nostalgia by way of the Gary Pressy played organ upon entering the Sheraton.

Expectations are high and reasonably so. With Maddon reassuring Cubs faithful he plans on using it as motivation throughout 2016, it allows fans to rest easy that their team is in good hands. It’s also fun to hear players are equally excited about the upcoming season as fans are.

Similar to Anthony Rizzo’s statement last year around this time, Kyle Schwarber recently added his two cents by saying, “I feel like we’re going to win the division.”

It’s almost time to entirely shift our focus to Cubs baseball and optimism is arguably at an all-time high. For the time being, the Cubs Convention is the perfect place to start.