Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • US Senator Bernie Sanders
    Sanders: Trump Welcomes War Criminal to White House American Arabs
  • Al-Haq
    War crimes probe urged against two Israeli snipers who intentionally killed civilian women, children Christian & Muslim
  • CAIR Executive Director and co-founder Nihad Awad
    CAIR Says Israel Turns Gaza into ‘Human Slaughterhouse’ as Killing of Civilians Continues Arab World
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport  Activism
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 American Arabs
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ
    Jordan bans 12 news sites for ‘spreading media poison’ following corruption report Arab World
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech Activism
  • ADC creates emergency fund to defend people who are being punished for expressing views on the American-sanction violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of ADC
    ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Activism
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
Chicago Cubs Convention 2017, autographed baseballs. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

Has success spoiled the Chicago Cubs?

Posted on January 18, 2017June 12, 2019 By rayhanania 1 Comment on Has success spoiled the Chicago Cubs?
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Has success spoiled the Chicago Cubs?

I am so excited the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, but what is the price for that success? Two years ago the Cubs players were more receptive to meeting and greeting young fans at their convention, giving autographs and smiles. This time, it was all smiles, little eye contact and no autographs unless you were lucky enough to be chosen for the special team autograph lines.

For the Des Plaines Valley News, the Southwest News-Herald, The Reporter Newspapers, the Regional News, Thursday Jan. 19, 2017

By Ray Hanania

I’ve loved the Chicago Cubs all my life. As they fought to win the World Series but came short, that only made that love stronger.

But now that they have won, has success changed the Chicago Cub? Many Cub insiders hate the phrase “lovable losers,” but have they become the “Complacent winners?”

I was fortunate to attend two Cubs Convention, two years ago before the World Series win and one this week after.

When they were struggling to win, the Cubs lineup was enthusiastic about their fans. My son and other kids didn’t have to work hard to get signatures. They got them not just from the “old timers,” but from the team’s biggest hitters.

Do you know how satisfying that is for a young kid?

Chicago Cubs Convention 2017, autographed baseballs. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
Chicago Cubs Convention 2017, autographed baseballs. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

This year, it was significantly different. The new Cubs stars were reluctant to sign autographs outside of the structured, controlled convention system. Fans could only get autographs from the biggest players like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Swarber and all of the big-name team players if they were lucky enough to receive a special, limited “voucher.”

Let me explain how it all works. You purchase a convention pass and included is a pull tab that you open that either is a voucher or a $5 discount coupon on a $50 purchase.

The whole purpose of the convention is for players to sign autographs. There are eight autograph sections, A thru H, where you stand in line and the player gives you one autograph. Two sections, A and B, are special and featured 17 big name players. Only fans with the rare “vouchers” could enter those lines.

The voucher system is secretive and many attendees said they thought their distribution is “clouted” through friends, players, season tickets with only a small percentage allotted to regular people, the unlucky majority.

Schedule of autograph sessions at 2017 Cubs Convention. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
Schedule of autograph sessions at 2017 Cubs Convention. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

Sections C through H feature 54 players, mostly “legends” from the past, or new drafts. I’m not saying their autographs aren’t worth anything. I love Ryne Sandberg, Gary Matthews, Jose Rosario and Bob Howry. What I’m saying is there has been a noticeable difference at the convention from before the World Series and after.

Before the win, fans could get autographs from anyone during the session and even after. Big name team players signed as they walked around the convention. This year, though, they didn’t. Not Bryant. Not Rizzo. Not Schwarber. Not even manager Joe Madden.

Fans at the 2017 Cubs Convention had to wait in long lines that snaked back and forth to get autographs from players. But only those fans with special vouchers could get autographs from the team players. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
Fans at the 2017 Cubs Convention had to wait in long lines that snaked back and forth to get autographs from players. But only those fans with special vouchers could get autographs from the team players. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

It was noticeable. And many fans were disappointed. I understand the economics of it all. Rizzo’s autograph went from $35 a ball to $375 a ball. Bryant’s is up from $75 to $450.

Is it about the money? I loved getting autographs from the legends like Randy Hundley, Ryne Sandberg, Jay Johnstone, Bobby Dernier, Bill Madlock, and Fergie Jenkins as they mingled among convention attendees. They signed for fans almost anytime and anywhere.

Many Cubs celebrities signed autographs during and after the sessions, too, like the beloved Wayne Messmer, whose rendition of the Star Spangled banner moved fans to tears during the opening ceremonies.

The author Ray Hanania (left) with Wayne Messmer, the popular sports figure who sings the National Anthem (right). Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
The author Ray Hanania (left) with Wayne Messmer, the popular sports figure who sings the National Anthem (right). Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

Messmer was signing autographs almost the entire time as grateful fans thanked him and took pictures. So did WGN Sports anchor Dan Roan between interviews. The fans, especially the kids, loved it.

I listened as Schwarber told reporters over and over again that he owed his success to the fans. It sounded good as he was on TV or on stage. For thousands of post World Series fans though, his autograph was out of reach.

Some might say I’m being unfair. I get it. But in all honesty, the change was noticeable from before and after the World Series.

Fans at the 2017 Cubs Convention could pose with the World Series Trophy. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
Fans at the 2017 Cubs Convention could pose with the World Series Trophy. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

I know superstars like Bryant, who made $7.8 million the last two years, and Rizzo, who made $5 million last year, can’t sign every autograph.

But baseball is more than just beer and hotdog. Strikes and outs. It is about celebrity status. And it is about the kids. Autographs are the lifeblood that keeps the diehard fan spirit alive, especially for the younger kids.

Sure, walk past me. No problem. But walk away from a young kid with the “don’t make eye-contact” attitude and just pretend their not there?

I was disappointed. I expected more. The Cubs were there for the media interviews, the stage light cheering. But, were they really there for the fans?

2017 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
2017 Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and political columnist. Email him at rghanania@gmail.com.)

Cubs Fans jam the Sheraton Ballroom to listen to the Cubs being introduced with info on the next season. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution
Cubs Fans jam the Sheraton Ballroom to listen to the Cubs being introduced with info on the next season. Photo courtesy Ray Hanania. Permission granted to republish with full attribution

newswire info
  • About
  • Latest Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Israelisnipers shooting and killing hospital workers in Gaza - December 11, 2023
  • CAIR Condemns Israeli Executions of Wounded, Unarmed Palestinian in West Bank   - December 11, 2023
  • Arab and Muslim American voters face a “simple choice” between Biden’s inhumanity and Trump’s edgy politics - December 9, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Features, mainstream, News, Photographs, Ray Hanania, Sports Tags:autographs, baseball, Chicago Cubs, Convention, lovable losers, Sheraton Hotel, success, World Series

Post navigation

Previous Post: Mordechai Vanunu: Israel’s Ludicrous Charges and a Vanunu Biography Book Review #BreakingNews #Vanunu
Next Post: A glimmer of hope in a Trump presidency

Related Posts

  • Ray Hanania
    Oslo and the peace process were never really the problem Arab World
  • Silverstein bill to censor critics of foreign country stymied in Illinois Senate American Arabs
  • Palestine divided between Israel and the territories Israel occupied in 1967 with the growth of illegal Jewish settlements making peace nearly impossible. Map courtesy of wikipedia
    Trump opens door to “One State,” riles Israelis American Arabs
  • 9/11: We will never forget, but will we ever learn? Arab World
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa Activism
  • Iraqi filmmaker Weam Namou
    Iraqi American Woman Wins IndieFEST International Film Awards American Arabs

More Related Articles

Arab Palestinian Investment Company – APIC Issues 35 Million US Dollars Bonds Arab World
Farouk Shami honored for generosity American Arabs
Kerry warns Israel-Palestine relations “getting worse” American Arabs
DCEO Panel discussion on business support opportunities for all businesses including Arab American businesses, April 26, 2022 DCEO Access to Capital: Arab American Heritage Month business workshop American Arabs
Syrian Refugees, We Will Be Back, After Awhile Abdennour Toumi
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Tlaib trades barbs with Democrats over criticism of Israel American Arabs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech
    June 1, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • NEWS
  • US Senator Bernie Sanders
    Sanders: Trump Welcomes War Criminal to White House
    July 9, 2025
  • Al-Haq
    War crimes probe urged against two Israeli snipers who intentionally killed civilian women, children
    July 2, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme