58 minutes ago
This weekend’s Cubs Convention has had its fair share of highlights.
Just before Friday’s opening ceremonies, Shōta Imanaga quickly endeared himself to his new fanbase. That was followed by shortstop Dansby Swanson voicing directly that the club needs to re-sign free agent Cody Bellinger, which drew a big round of cheers from the fans in attendance.
But perhaps the most fun moment of the event was the Kids Only Press Conference on Saturday.
Normal press conferences can occasionally be filled with trite questions and answers. This press conference — which featured infielder Patrick Wisdom, reliever Adbert Alzolay, top prospect outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and newly acquired infielder Michael Busch fielding questions from young fans — had none of that.
For one thing, most press conferences don’t break out into an impromptu dance contest. After one youngster asked the panel to reveal their favorite dance move, Busch and the kid had a showdown to see who could perform a better griddy. Wisdom then came through with a smooth 360-degree spin.
Wisdom also showed off his singing range with a rendition of “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” which he said was his favorite Disney movie in response to another query.
“Pete, this one’s for you,” one child began. “If you and your mom had a home run derby, who would win?”
“Me or my mom?” he said with a big smile and a small sense of incredulity. “It better be me.”
When one kid scoffed at Wisdom for going to the gym only four times a week, the right-handed slugger challenged the youngster to a push-up contest.
The immediate response? “Bring it on!”
That confidence wasn’t just hot air; the child bested Wisdom in the test of strength and let everyone know about his victory as he raised a single, triumphant finger to the sky.
Here’s guessing new Cubs skipper Craig Counsell won’t be engaging in a push-up contest during a postgame press conference next season, but we’d love to see it.
