ARMOUR SQUARE — Snow or shine, the South Side's opening day is sacred.
As the White Sox geared up to play an afternoon home opener against the Cleveland Indians Friday, the neighborhood was abuzz with fans from all over the city and beyond, packing diners and bars.
Others stopped at places like Grandstand Sports to update their White Sox garb for the upcoming season.
“This is one of the best days of the year. It’s like a holiday,” said 32-year-old Tinley Park native Lara Roskos, standing outside the sports shop waiting for her friends. “We have to get our gear for the year.”
It's opening day in Bridgeport. White Sox fans are fueling up at the neighborhood diner: pic.twitter.com/blQddZ9WDj
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
The White Sox home opener is a time for old buddies to tailgate in the parking lot, standing over a grill loaded with juicy cheeseburgers and trading stories about the glory days.
“I’m standing around with some guys who were with me when Konerko hit the grand slam in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series,” said Ray Winkle. “Baseball is my first love — and this is the best burger I’ve ever had in my life.”
Winkle, 47, is the funny guy of the group. He’s known to throw out challenging trivia questions to his friends, like this one: “Who were the last three players to have a .300 batting average and 20 or more home runs for five consecutive years?”
After a minute or two of head-scratching, someone throws out “Matt Holliday.”
“DING-DING-DING-DING-DING,” Winkle said.
A few hundred yards away, Nicasio Perez, wearing a Sox jacket and ball cap, leaned on a wall, waiting for his son.
This opening day was his first. There was no way the snow showers and icy winds would ruin his experience.
“It’s beautiful,” Perez said.
Inside U.S. Cellular Field, fans took pictures and recorded video of the April snow showers covering the field.
“I’ve never seen it snow here before,” said Bret Busby, 33, a Bridgeport lifer. “It’s like going to a Bears game, but we’re from Chicago. We’re used to it.”
Friday’s home opener drew fans from far beyond South Side boundaries.
Indiana resident Zane Fitshans has been coming to opening day with his wife for years. He grew up on the South Side, but, as he tells the story, the Sox had a lot to do with why his family packed up and left town.
Zane, a Chicago native who's family fled Chicago after the White Sox lost the '59 World Series, digs the snow: pic.twitter.com/aYCh1oXe70
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
“The Sox lost the World Series in 1959, and my dad said, ‘That’s it! We’re outta here,’” said Fitshans, who recorded a video of the falling snow on his phone.
The day’s biggest draw was the trio of gigantic video screens towering over the outfield bleachers.
The 7,000 square foot Jumbotron at the Cell: pic.twitter.com/m0HLSBeQiQ
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
Close-up of the mega screen at the Cell: pic.twitter.com/z1JxIviwlW
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
In his left field seat, 21-year-old Jaleel Nelson felt dwarfed by the screens.
“I knew it would be big,” he said, “but I didn’t know it would be THAT big.”
By 2:30 p.m., less than an hour from the first pitch, the ballpark buzzed. Fans bought fresh beers, snacked on hot dogs and cheered when the grounds crew peeled the tarp over the infield.
At 2:48 p.m., two groundskeepers swept dirt from home plate.
At 2:55 p.m., The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” played on the loudspeakers and announcers introduced Sox management, including the legendary Robin Ventura.
Three minutes later, Chris Sale hopped out of a white Ford Mustang convertible, and the crowd erupted.
Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik sang the national anthem, setting the stage for a first pitch from South Side hip-hop sensation Chance The Rapper.
John Rzeznik, singer of the Goo Goo Dolls sings Anthem: pic.twitter.com/yMY0qDXD6z
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
PLAY BALL! #WhiteSox #openingday pic.twitter.com/Vbbh3dT7Yf
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
Snow peppered the stands, and the Cleveland Indians got off to an early lead.
It's snowing at the Cell. Fans are bundled up in jackets, covered in blankets: pic.twitter.com/dkuJCSXbSe
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
Other fans stood in long bathroom lines. Some double-fisted beers.
At 4:16 p.m., the sky opened, spilling sunlight over the field.
One fan stopped his conversation and said, "Hold on, I want to enjoy this sun."
It's was 4:16 p.m. when the sky opened. A Sox fan stopped his convo and said: "Hold on, I want to enjoy this sun." pic.twitter.com/T0Aji2croJ
— Ed Komenda (@ejkomenda) April 8, 2016
The Sox went on to lose the game 7-1.
Win or lose, White Sox opening day is something to celebrate. After all, baseball is back in the neighborhood.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
