Chicago Cubs: Optimism reigns supreme at this year’s Cubs Convention

As a frustration offseason draws to a close, the Chicago Cubs held their annual Cubs Convention over the weekend and the mood was overwhelmingly positive.

As just a second-time attendee to Cubs Convention, I understand that my knowledge related to the team’s annual gathering is quite limited. I never knew the event when Chicago Cubs fans flocked to the Hilton instead of its current home at the Grand Sheraton, nestled on the banks of the Chicago River and Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago.

This means I’ve also never known a Cubs Convention not spearheaded by the Ricketts family, a group that drew harsh criticism on social media heading into the weekend. For the first time since purchasing the team, the Ricketts canceled their annual panel – one that would have allowed fans to ask ownership any question.

The face of the family when it comes to the team, Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, has long been one of the most accessible owners in all of professional sports. On multiple occasions, at both games and concerts at Wrigley, I’ve run into him and he’s always willing to chat or at least take a photo with those who ask.

Chicago Cubs: Ricketts walks the walk – surrounded by fans

The fact that he’s always been so open and transparent likely made the decision to cancel this weekend’s panel seem like such a dramatic departure from the norm. But on the ground and in the hallways of the Sheraton this weekend, Ricketts was doing anything but hiding from fans.

Even as things wound down and vendors packed up their stands late Sunday morning, Ricketts was signing autographs and talking with fans as a line dozens of people deep stretched across the basement of the vendor hall.

Not once did I see him shrug off a fan’s comments or thoughts – so, despite how we all felt – myself included, heading into the weekend, I have to give Ricketts credit where it’s due. He faced the music – and came out looking better for it. That’s not to say I think canceling the panel was a smart move, but he recovered nicely – at least in the eyes of a lot of folks in attendance.

Those fans, though, like pretty much everyone I interacted with over the weekend, seemed overwhelmingly positive. During Friday’s opening ceremony, hosted by the voice of the Cubs, Pat Hughes, no one really got put on blast – although the intro music for the likes of Yu Darvish and a couple other guys seemed to be a bit louder than that of his teammates – perhaps in anticipation of some sort of public shaming?

But, alas. No such events transpired.