Ron Santo meets Cubs players and a crowd of Cubs faithful at the start of the 11th annual Cubs Convention in 1996.
Ernie Banks sings “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Cubs Convention held at the Hilton Chicago and Towers.
Mark Nieds with his one-year-old daughter Lucy at the 2000 Cubs Convention.
The lobby of the Hilton Hotel is buzzing with Cubs fans and other hotel guests. It was especially busy for the 2000 Cubs Convention, as filming of the tv show “ER” was on the rooftop.
New Cubs manager Don Baylor talks with reporters during the 2000 Cubs Convention.
Erwin Schless, right, expresses his love for the Cubs and dislike for the Chicago White Sox at the 2000 Cubs Convention. Schless has not missed a Cubs Convention; his son, Michael, left, missed one when he was away at college.
Jim Dorf screams in excitement with the crowd at the 2000 Cubs Convention as daughter Susie, 3, covers her ears for protection.
Kerry Wood and Henry Rodriguez enjoy introductions at the 2000 Cubs Convention.
Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa laughs while talking to reportersat the 2001 Cubs Convention. Sosa, who originally hadn’t planned to attend the event, changed his mind in January and agreed to make an appearance.
Neil Barry sings the national anthem during the 2002 opening ceremonies at the Cubs Convention.
New Cubs manager Dusty Baker and his son, Darren, sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at the 2003 Cubs Convention.
Ryne Sandberg signs autographs at the 2003 Cubs Convention.
Kim and Jason Barnes take a break outside the Grand Ballroom before searching for player autographs at the 2003 Cubs Convention.
Ernie Banks thanks a woman for attending the 2004 Cubs Convention.
Ron Santo jokes around with the media before 2004 Cubs Convention.
Nicole Phillips gets her Michael Barrett cut-out signed by catcher Michael Barrett at the 2005 Cubs Convention.
Former Cubs third baseman Ron Cey signs autographs for this gaggle of jersey-wearing kids at the 2005 Cubs Convention.
Dusty Baker greets fans after signing autographs at the 2005 Cubs Convention.
To the delight of fans, outfielder Matt Murton rides an electronic bull at the 2006 Cubs Convention at the Hilton Towers.
Mark Prior and Derrek Lee greet each other at the 2006 Cubs Convention.
Mark Grace cheers the fans after being introduced during “The Boys of Zimmer” panel at the 2007 Cubs Convention.
New Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija at the 2007 Cubs Convention at the Hilton Towers.
Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks are introduced at the 2007 Cubs Convention.
Ryan Dempster is dragged away from signing autographs by Bob Howry following the “Cubs Win, Lose or Draw” session at the 2008 Cubs Convention.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella signs autographs following a panel discussion at the 2009 Cubs Convention at the Hilton Towers.
Ron Santo waves to the crowd at the 2009 Cubs Convention
Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano arrive for the 2009 Cubs Convention.
Sporting a lengthy beard, Reed Johnson tosses his hat to the crowd at the 2009 Cubs Convention.
Fans pose with a large cutout photo of Carlos Zambrano at the 2010 Cubs Convention.
New Cubs player Marlon Byrd arrives for the 2010 Cubs Convention.
Hall of Famer and new Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg is introduced at the 2010 Cubs Convention.
Carlos Zambrano arrives for the 2010 Cubs Convention.
Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks welcome new member Andre Dawson as he is introduced at the 2010 Cubs Convention.
Cubs legends at the 2011 Cubs Convention (from left to right): Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks.
3-month-old TJ Hynes sports a Cubs hat at his first Cubs Convention in 2012.
Kerry Wood waves to fans during introductions at the 2012 Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago.
New Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein throws out a ceremonial first pitch beside new manager Dale Sveum at the Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago in 2012.
A lego bust of Harry Caray sits on display during the Cubs Convention at the Hilton Chicago in 2012.
Matt Garza tosses a hat into the crowd during opening ceremonies at the 2013 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel.
The 2013 Cubs team watches a video during opening ceremonies at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel.
Penni Schimke wears a Ron Santo jersey as she takes in the scene at the Seraton Chicago Hotel during the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Darwin Barney is introduced to fans during opening ceremonies at the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Alfonso Soriano is announced during the opening ceremonies at the 2013 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum shakes hands with Ernie Banks during opening ceremonies at the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Carlos Marmol signs autographs at the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Anthony Rizzo signs his autograph on the back of Rosie Portelli’s jersey at the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Edwin Jackson is introduced to fans during opening ceremonies at the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Tony Campana sports a furry Cubs hat while he jokes with fan Anndrea Watson at the 2013 Cubs Convention.
Cubs pitcher Jeff Samarzija and team president Theo Epstein at the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, left, watches new Cubs manager Rick Renteria greet former third baseman Bill Madlock at the 2014 Cubs Convention.
James Kut, left, and Steve Harrison wait for the doors to open at the 2014 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.
Starlin Castro is introduced at the 2014 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.
Dan Stapleton and Dawn Ericksen smile during a panel at the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Former Cubs pitcher Fergie Jenkins sits behind bobbleheads of himself while signing autographs during the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Ben Metrick looks up at a window cover depicting a win during the 2014 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Hotel.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein signs an autograph for 8-year-old Nolan Groves at the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Baseball Hall of Fame player Rollie Fingers smiles to a fan while signing autographs during the 2014 Cubs Convention.
New Cubs manager Rick Renteria gestures while answering questions at the “Meet Cubs Baseball Management” panel during the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Young Cubs fans get a chance to play some baseball of their own at the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Gary Matthews, known as “Sarge,” and Rick Sutcliffe tell stories of their playing past on a panel of members of the 1984 Cubs team at the 2014 Cubs Convention.
Ernie Banks signs autographs at the Cubs Convention during a panel in 2014.
2-year-old Emma Heyman cries in her father David’s arms as Cubs mascot Clark tries for a group photograph during the 2014 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Hotel.
New Cubs manager Joe Maddon, seen through a TV camera eyepiece, meets with members of the press during the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in 2015.
New Cubs manager Joe Maddon, center, and his coaching staff are officially introduced to fans at the 2015 Cubs Convention.
Cubs fan Kim McHugh holds her 4-month-old daughter Ellie in a large baseball glove at the 2015 Cubs Convention.
Fans wait for the opening ceremony to begin during the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in 2015.
Fans greet newly acquired pitcher Jon Lester during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in 2015.
Javier Baez talks with members of the press during the Cubs Convention in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in 2015.
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts talks with fans during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in 2015.
New Cubs manager Joe Maddon greets fans during the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in 2015.
Jason Heyward (right) uses the jersey of John Lackey to show a confused fan that the duo now plays for the Cubs.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant greets fans during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention on Jan. 15, 2016, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon greets fans at the Cubs Convention on Jan. 15, 2016.
Cullen Daly, 10, of Moline, sporting his haircut with ink of Addison Russell, poses with the Chicago Cubs player after Russell brought Daly on stage during the annual Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on Jan. 16, 2016.
David Ross shows off the 2016 World Series trophy at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand on Jan. 13, 2017.
Cubs’ World Series cookies on display on the first day of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on Jan. 13, 2017.
A boy takes a picture of window coverings during the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand on Jan. 14, 2017.
Carl Edwards Jr. is announced with other members of the 2018 Cubs on the first day.
A young fan looks to get a high-five from outfielder Jason Heyward as members of the 2018 Cubs are introduced to fans on the first day.
Former Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano waves to the crowd as former and current members of the team are introduced to fans on the first day.
Cubs’ Kris Bryant (left) and Anthony Rizzo share a moment on the first day.
10-year-old Cubs fan Marcos Cabral dives into a bed of sponges for a chance to meet Willson Contreras, right, at the Cubs Convention on Jan 19, 2019.
A young Cubs fan wears the name of Cubs player Kris Bryant in his hair as children wait for the 2019 team to be announced on Jan. 18, 2019.
Carl Edwards Jr. sports a bow tie as he looks on with other players during the opening day of the annual Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on Jan. 18, 2019.
