Countdown to the Cubs Convention: 8 Days

Yesterday, it was announced the former Cub great Andre Dawson will be going into the Hall of Fame. Shortly after, the Cubs released (via Muskat's blog) the Dawson will be at the Cubs Convention!

I'm looking forward to seeing The Hawk at the Hilton next weekend. I'm sure he'll be getting thunderous applause, he may even surpass Ron Santo for the loudest cheer when introduced at the Opening Ceremonies (well, maybe not, but both will be loud.)

They'll probably have a special session to honor Dawson.

Also released yesterday was some info on two events that are always associated with the Convention: the Cubs Caravan and the Len & Bob Bash.

The Cubs have announced the list of attendees for the caravan. Click here for the schedule of events which was released a few weeks back. Here are the list of Cubs that will be on the tour with what tour they're on and what day(s) they'll be on.

January 13 Group One:

• Lou Piniella (A.M. only)
• Rudy Jaramillo
• Bob Brenly (A.M. only)
• Oneri Fleita
• Alan Trammell
• Koyie Hill
• Micah Hoffpauir
• Andres Blanco
• James Adduci
• Welington Castillo
• Brett Jackson
• Elio Benitez
• Hector Febregas

January 13 Group Two:

• Randy Bush
• Larry Rothschild
• Mike Quade
• Lester Strode
• Jeff Samardzija
• Randy Wells
• Justin Berg
• Esmalin Caridad
• Andrew Cashner
• Len Kasper

January 14 Group One:

• Bush
• Fleita
• Jaramillo
• Quade
• Strode
• Hill
• Hoffpauir
• Wells
• Berg
• Blanco
• Adduci
• Cashner
• Dave Otto

January 14 Group 2:

• Piniella (A.M. only)
• Rothschild
• Trammell
• Ryan Dempster
• Tom Gorzelanny
• Jeff Gray
• Esmalin Caridad
• Welington Castillo
• Brett Jackson
• Pat Hughes

Since the are on going on the Caravan, I would expect Gray, Gorzelanny, Dempster, Wells, Hoffpauir, Hill, Samardzija, Blanco, Caridad, the coaches, the broadcasters, the front office people listed, and a few of the minor leaguers listed to go to the Convention. Last year, I don't think there was anyone who went on the Caravan but didn't go on the Convention.

Caravan info link from Cubs.com.

Tickets are still available for the January 14 Len & Bob Bash at the House of Blues in Chicago.

I full list and schedule for the Convention should be coming out any day know. As soon as I hear something, I'll post it. Unless their is other news to report, our series on the Sports Central segment will be concluded with tomorrow's post.

More posts to come soon! I'll have more on Dawson, the latest from the Cubs rumor will, and more posted tonight & tomorrow.