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My panel experience at the Convention yesterday started off with the entire Cubs coaching staff taking the stage.
I knew going into this one that it could get a bit awkward because as much as I love Cubs fans, some of them are not the brightest bulbs in the box.
While deflecting stupid question after stupid question, Joe Maddon gave me a handful more of reasons why I absolutely love the guy. His sense of humor throughout the entire panel was pretty cool to see.
He was asked what the strategy going into 2017 will be and he stated that defense will remain at the top of his list. He then looked down at his hitting coaches, John Mallee and Erik Hinske, and said, “I’m sure these two will tell you something different though.”
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Maddon gives insight on #Cubs hitting strategy: "Chicks dig the long ball." #CubsCon2017
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) January 14, 2017
Unfortunately, a handful of Cubs fans were still a bit confused by Maddon’s coaching decisions in Game 7 of the World Series so the Cubs skipper had to defend his decisions AGAIN to the Cubs faithful. I will tip my hat to one fan who framed his question something along the lines of,
“If Chapman was at the convention today. Would you have him sign 100 autographs Friday, 200 autographs Saturday, and 300 autographs Sunday?”
Kind of a dick question but still pretty clever in my opinion. Maddon however, didn’t miss a beat.
He replied, “Well he’s in good enough shape to do it so yes.”
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The second panel featured pitchers C.J. Edwards, Kyle Hendricks, Mike Montgomery, and the newest Cub, Wade Davis.
In my opinion, Hendricks stole the show. The usually mild-mannered righty actually has a pretty good sense of humor. A young girl asked the panel, “How many of you guys will also get married before Spring Training this year?” to which Hendricks replied “Yeah, we’re all dropping like flies.”
Hendricks was engaged in February and will tie the knot this November.
The facilitator of the discussion and Cubs commentator, Jim Deshaies, asked the last question to the panel.
“What are the biggest perks of being a professional baseball player?”
Free tickets, chartered flights, and traveling were all mentioned but both Hendricks and C.J. Edwards agreed on what the biggest perk was for them.
What's the best perk of being a big leaguer?
Kyle Hendricks and CJ Edwards: "Free food" #CubsCon2017
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) January 14, 2017
Hendricks laughed and added, “It’s funny the two skinniest guys on the panel say free food is the best thing about being a pro.”
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Immediately following the pitcher’s panel, the “All-Star” infield segment was set to begin with Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo. This panel got off to an interesting start as only three of the four took the stage.
Time for the All Star infield segment #CubsCon2017 pic.twitter.com/MsK6OOYDZ6
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) January 14, 2017
Rizzo was nowhere to be found so questions began flying even without the big first baseman on the stage. I’ll save you some time reading, I counted five questions in an hour from female fans starting something like, “My question is for Kris Bryant. You’re my favorite player and will you marry me?”
Staying with the theme of marriage, a guy got up and asked the panel if they would be his groomsmen for his wedding at the end of September.
Bryant flashed a smile and said, “I think we may be busy around that time of year.”
About 10 minutes into fan’s questions, Rizzo appeared from behind the curtain and took the stage. Like clockwork, the next question was a two-part question about what their favorite moment of the post season was and was followed up by, “why were you late Anthony?”
Asked why he was 10 minutes late to the panel discussion Rizzo stated, "I had to use the bathroom." #CubsCon2017
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) January 14, 2017
When ya gotta go, ya gotta go.
I always had an idea that the whole “Bryzzo” thing was kind of hyped up or fabricated to make it seem like Bryant and Rizzo were actually a lot closer than they appear. Trust me when I tell you this: the bromance is real.
#Bryzzo #CubsCon2017 pic.twitter.com/w5Ws0E0SeF
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) January 14, 2017
Not even 10 minutes after taking the stage, Bryant started doodling on a pad of paper that was sitting in front of him while Addison Russell was answering a question. Bryant slid the pad of paper over to Rizzo who immediately rocked back in his chair and started laughing. Right when he did it, I told my buddy, “dude, they’re playing tic-tac-toe.”
Sure as shit, Deshaies looked down from his moderator position and called the pair out.
Bryzzo just got busted playing tic-tac-toe during the panel discussion #CubsCon2017
— Adam Nissen (@nissen54) January 14, 2017
The last question of the panel, in my opinion, was the absolute best. Not the question so much but the fact Rizzo completely roasted a teenager who was wearing an atrocious Hawaiian-print Cubs shirt.
The kid took the mic and was very nervous because he said, “Wow. I can’t believe all of you guys are actually looking at me.”
Rizzo cut him off and said, “We’re looking at that shirt. Where did you get that? Did you get that as a gift? You bought that shirt? Like you actually BOUGHT that shirt? You spent your own money on that shirt?”
The kid had no idea he was getting roasted which made it that much funnier.
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Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., Javier Baez and Willson Contreras apparently drew the short end of the stick because they were peppered with questions during a “Kids Only” question and answer session on Saturday evening.
I was at the lobby bar doing grown-up things but Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat gave the details about what went on.
There were questions of superheros, superstitions, and candy to name a few because c’mon, these are kids asking questions.
The best part of the panel was when a kid asked what Kris Bryant’s favorite scary movie was. Obviously he wasn’t on the panel so it may have been pretty difficult to answer. Kyle Schwarber had the easy solution to the kids question — call up Bryant on his phone.
Schwarber took out his phone and put Bryant on speaker phone about the question of his favorite scary movie to which Bryant responded, “”I don’t watch scary movies. I’m too much of a wimp to watch scary movies.”
So it turns out, Bryant DOES have a flaw.
