The Colorado Rockies reportedly prevented Kris Bryant from participating in the Cubs’ 10-year World Series anniversary celebration, leaving fans frustrated and confused.
Chicago Cubs Convention is an annual tradition — a longtime fan fest and three-day celebration filled with panels, autograph sessions, exhibits, old-school Cubs moments, and activities like "Harry Carayoke," Cubs Bingo, and more.
It’s the place to be for Cubs fans every offseason.
The convention offers a rare chance to interact with everyone from top prospects to newly signed stars like Alex Bregman, all under one roof. And this year’s Cubs Convention brought something extra special to the table.
2026 marks ten years since the Cubs’ unforgettable 2016 World Series championship — the season that finally ended a 108-year title drought. (Geez, time flies.)
This weekend also served a dual purpose: a 10-year reunion for the players and coaches who made Chicago baseball history.
Manager Joe Maddon was there. So were Anthony Rizzo, World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, Dexter Fowler, Kyle Hendricks, and Jason Heyward. Jon Lester attended as well, fresh off being announced Friday night as the latest inductee into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame.
The list went on and on. From the stars Cubs fans came to love, to the role players that were never household names. Nearly everyone from that iconic team showed up for the celebration.
Nearly everyone.
One notable absence stood out immediately: Kris Bryant.
The 2016 National League MVP — the man who made the final play in Game 7 of the World Series — wasn’t there. And Cubs fans quickly began asking why.
The answer is more frustrating than you’d expect.
According to Matt Spiegel of 670 The Score, the Colorado Rockies — Bryant’s current team — blocked him from attending the reunion. It’s a peculiar decision, especially considering other active players were allowed to participate. Javier Báez of the Detroit Tigers attended. Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies attended.
Far be it from me to explain how a team can block a player from celebrating the anniversary of his World Series championship during the offseason — or why they’d even feel the need to.
It’s not as if Bryant is in the middle of spring training.
Is the issue that he would have been representing another organization while still under contract with the Rockies? Báez and Schwarber weren’t exactly parading around in Cubs uniforms on stage. That concern might be understandable on some level. But they were still present, able to reconnect with former teammates and celebrate a historic accomplishment.
Bryant didn’t get that chance.
I understand if the Rockies feel burned by the contract they gave Bryant — seven years, $182 million for just 170 games played over the past four seasons combined. Persistent lumbar degenerative disc disease has limited his availability and led to chronic back pain and soreness, and there’s still uncertainty surrounding his health heading into the 2026 season.
But being burned by a contract doesn’t give a team the right to control how a player spends his offseason. And from the outside, this decision reeks of pettiness.
That’s not exactly the kind of PR the Rockies need as they try to climb out of a 43–119 hole.
Cubs fans missed Kris Bryant this weekend. Hopefully, once his playing career is over, he’ll have another opportunity to attend Cubs Conventions — and finally receive the love he deserves.