The Winter Meetings

[iamshack]

So I moved to Vegas about 4 months ago and one of the immediate perks I realized was that the Winter Meetings this year are being held at the Hilton Convention Center here in town.

 

My roommate and I are both planning on going and loitering about as much as we possibly can.

 

Has anyone ever been to the Winter Meetings before? Do they restrict access to certain parts of the hotel? All of the hotel? Where is the best place to see reporters, GM's, etc....

 

We are hoping to sort of hang out in the hotel bar and take in as much of the circus as possible...

[shipps]

Thats awesome that your going.If you are able to get easy access (I dont think you will) get us some gossip to chew on shack.

[scenario]

Sounds like fun.

 

Never been to the baseball meetings, but I'm guessing it will be treated like a typical conference... you would have to have a pass to get into certain areas. (Scheduled meetings and the tradeshow at the Conference Center, etc.)

 

But with 4,000 people attending, and activities spread out between two different hotels (Bellagio and the Hilton) there should be plenty of opportunity to hang around the bars/casinos etc and mingle with convention goers.

Edited November 19, 2008 by scenario

[caulfield12]

Was there in 1993 and 1994, but things have changed dramatically since then.

 

Now, not as many trades happen there as was the custom. But it's still fun to be around other people who work in the game...from minor league personnel to wanna-be Vin Scully's and Ernie Harwell's. Met Mike Veeck there, not quite the beloved figure his father was. I was interviewing for a number of positions with major and minor league teams.

 

I made a stupid/silly mistake in my interview or I would have ended up working for the StL Cardinals...in the end, I had about 5 minor league offers (out of 10-12 interviews). I mean "real" job offers and not internship or unpaid positions. So I went off to work for the Augusta GreenJackets as Director of Stadium Operations and PR for two very interesting/fun/tiring seasons.

[sircaffey]

I've been there the past 2 years. I'll be there this year as well. Trust me, you'll know where to loiter. Last year in Nashville, both MLB.com's tv setup and Baseball Tonight's setup were in the main lobby right outside the room where the press conferences were held. That lobby was fair game. Also, check out the hotel bar around 9-10ish.

[elrockinMT]

I've been to the Winter meetings on TV via ESPN. I am waiting for the day they actually have the Winter Meetings somewhere-like here- where they actually have winter. You can tell I am jealous of the fact you can go. Good luck to you in picking up autographs and rumors.

[scenario]

I am waiting for the day they actually have the Winter Meetings somewhere-like here- where they actually have winter.

 

Next year.... Indianapolis. So they'll have winter.

 

Of course, that doesn't help you out much since you're in Montana.

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2008 by scenario

[Leonard Zelig]

Are they this weekend?

[G&T]

Are they this weekend?

 

December 8-11.

Edited November 20, 2008 by G&T

[Rex Hudler]

Been to 8 Winter Meetings, from 1996-2003, two in Boston, two in Nashville, two in New Orleans and Dallas and Anaheim. There isn't much to do for fans as it is primarily a business conference. Basically the Winter Meetings are a convention for Minor League Baseball and MLB teams have found it good since a lot of people are all in the same place at the same time. Typically, MLB teams are there and having meetings and a dinner with their Minor League affiliates, there is a job fair, a trade show, some banquets and a lot of schmoozing. Baseball Operations folks are having planning meetings, discuss trades, and then go into the Rule V draft.

 

Access will be limited basically to hotel common areas, bars, lobbies, etc. There will be some familiar faces roaming around, often looking hurried or stopping to talk to old cronies, but there will be mostly faces you don't know. My guess, with Vegas being the host, you won't see a lot of people at the hotel in the evening hours. New Orleans was the same way.

 

Here are a few fun Winter Meetings experiences...

 

1. In Dallas, Tommy Lasorda was "holding court" in the Atrium at the Anatole Hotel until 2am. There were probably 40-50 people still up and hanging out drinking and listening to Tommy tell stories. He was hilarious, but times like this are rare, or you just have to be at the right place at the right time.

 

2. In Nashville, I was walking to the trade show an bumped into Peter Gammons coming out of the Media room. I asked him what was going on and he said the Dodgers had just signed Kevin Brown to a $120 million dollar deal and he was going on air to discuss it right then. I turned left and he turned right and we parted ways.

 

3. Each year at the meetings they have a Gala that is a lot of fun. When they are in an MLB city the Gala is always at the ballpark. Certain areas are open, there are typically locker room tours, etc. In Dallas, they did a really nice job with a reception in the club museum and a huge spread in the bar/suite area behind home plate. They also had a station with Cuervo 1800 shots and another where a Mexican was hand rolling cigars. After a few shots we noticed the cigar line getting long so we jumped in. While we were getting close a girl with Rangers ID tag came up and asked the roller how many he had left. They checked the box he kept the plugs in and she left. About two minutes later, she came back and said Mr. Hicks (the Rangers owner) needs 6 for a celebration. He rolled six for her and she was on her way. We got ours, smoked them (they were damned cigars, btw) and drank the rest of the night and didn't think much else about it. The next morning as we were checking out of the hotel to fly back, it was announced that the Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez for $250. So that was the celebration she spoke of.

 

4. Our owner had a dinner each year for everyone from his clubs (he had 6 or 7). In Anaheim, we had dinner catered into to the hotel. After a cocktail reception, I sat down at the dinner table and introduced myself to those around me that I did not know. I shook the hand of the guy next to me and he said his name was Steve Yeager. I asked which club he worked for and what he did. Funny thing is, I had no clue that it was the same Steve Yeager that won a World Series as a catcher with the Dodgers. He was doing some consulting work at the time for the club in San Bernadino and I had no clue. I wasn't expecting to run into a for player at a minor league dinner so I looked like an idiot. Of course, it was 30 seconds later that I noticed the World Series ring on his hand. He was cool though and we had a nice conversation over dinner.

 

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Mostly it is just a lot of food, drink and meeting people from other clubs and visiting with old friends. Oh and you mix in a little work during the day sometimes too.

 

 

[elrockinMT]

Next year.... Indianapolis. So they'll have winter.

 

Of course, that doesn't help you out much since you're in Montana.

 

And I could have shown them a good time at the Wild West Bar and Grill too and the Silver Dollar Saloon!

[elrockinMT]

Been to 8 Winter Meetings, from 1996-2003, two in Boston, two in Nashville, two in New Orleans and Dallas and Anaheim. There isn't much to do for fans as it is primarily a business conference. Basically the Winter Meetings are a convention for Minor League Baseball and MLB teams have found it good since a lot of people are all in the same place at the same time. Typically, MLB teams are there and having meetings and a dinner with their Minor League affiliates, there is a job fair, a trade show, some banquets and a lot of schmoozing. Baseball Operations folks are having planning meetings, discuss trades, and then go into the Rule V draft.

 

Access will be limited basically to hotel common areas, bars, lobbies, etc. There will be some familiar faces roaming around, often looking hurried or stopping to talk to old cronies, but there will be mostly faces you don't know. My guess, with Vegas being the host, you won't see a lot of people at the hotel in the evening hours. New Orleans was the same way.

 

Here are a few fun Winter Meetings experiences...

 

1. In Dallas, Tommy Lasorda was "holding court" in the Atrium at the Anatole Hotel until 2am. There were probably 40-50 people still up and hanging out drinking and listening to Tommy tell stories. He was hilarious, but times like this are rare, or you just have to be at the right place at the right time.

 

2. In Nashville, I was walking to the trade show an bumped into Peter Gammons coming out of the Media room. I asked him what was going on and he said the Dodgers had just signed Kevin Brown to a $120 million dollar deal and he was going on air to discuss it right then. I turned left and he turned right and we parted ways.

 

3. Each year at the meetings they have a Gala that is a lot of fun. When they are in an MLB city the Gala is always at the ballpark. Certain areas are open, there are typically locker room tours, etc. In Dallas, they did a really nice job with a reception in the club museum and a huge spread in the bar/suite area behind home plate. They also had a station with Cuervo 1800 shots and another where a Mexican was hand rolling cigars. After a few shots we noticed the cigar line getting long so we jumped in. While we were getting close a girl with Rangers ID tag came up and asked the roller how many he had left. They checked the box he kept the plugs in and she left. About two minutes later, she came back and said Mr. Hicks (the Rangers owner) needs 6 for a celebration. He rolled six for her and she was on her way. We got ours, smoked them (they were damned cigars, btw) and drank the rest of the night and didn't think much else about it. The next morning as we were checking out of the hotel to fly back, it was announced that the Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez for $250. So that was the celebration she spoke of.

 

4. Our owner had a dinner each year for everyone from his clubs (he had 6 or 7). In Anaheim, we had dinner catered into to the hotel. After a cocktail reception, I sat down at the dinner table and introduced myself to those around me that I did not know. I shook the hand of the guy next to me and he said his name was Steve Yeager. I asked which club he worked for and what he did. Funny thing is, I had no clue that it was the same Steve Yeager that won a World Series as a catcher with the Dodgers. He was doing some consulting work at the time for the club in San Bernadino and I had no clue. I wasn't expecting to run into a for player at a minor league dinner so I looked like an idiot. Of course, it was 30 seconds later that I noticed the World Series ring on his hand. He was cool though and we had a nice conversation over dinner.

 

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Mostly it is just a lot of food, drink and meeting people from other clubs and visiting with old friends. Oh and you mix in a little work during the day sometimes too.

 

 

Those are great stories and memories Rex. Thanks for sharing