The 2020 MLB season will begin unofficially this week as pitchers and catchers will report to their respective camps across the league. Spring training games will begin in just two weeks as fans jump for joy that the regular season is just around the corner. It’s a two-week notice for Chicago baseball before all the special things they love about the game begins again.
Fans will watch the few televised spring training games to mentally escape from the cold Chicago weather. Cubs and White Sox fans will argue about which team shows more promise, which minor leaguers should break camp with the big league roster, and simply watch to enjoy seeing baseball once again. Even more so, Chicagoans will use their spring break vacation time and travel out to Arizona to attend multiple games.
In late-March, the regular season will begin as both teams will play a majority of their home games for the first six weeks in terrible conditions. Fans for both teams will consistently wonder why the teams can’t just play warm weather or dome teams for the first two weeks of the season. Games canceled due to rain and cold weather will infuriate the players, media, and spectators. Cubs and Sox fans will attend games layered in sweaters and blankets. The dead ivy vines on the brick wall at Wrigley and the small attendance numbers for White Sox day games early on reflect April baseball in Chicago.
The weather will turn in May, as enjoying games will become easier for onlookers. Fans will venture outside as Sox faithful tailgate before White Sox home games. Families and friends will host barbeques with games being shown on projectors. Bars in Wrigleyville will have their beer gardens and windows open as the audio from Cubs games flood the surrounding areas.
For Cubs fans it is Friday and Saturday afternoon games where it is not just going to the game, but going to the surrounding bars after the game that make up the experience. families sitting or playing catch at Gallagher Way will be a constant for all Cubs home games. White Sox fans will enjoy dollar hotdog Wednesdays, free shirt giveaway Thursdays, and Friday night games that feature post game fireworks.
Beer and food consumption makes up what’s truly great about Chicago baseball. Whether it is the smell of the brats and onions being grilled when you walk into the Guaranteed Rate Field or the massive amount of beer being poured all across Wrigley Field, these are familiar feelings of the ballpark. Hamburgers, nacho helmets, pizza slices, peanuts bags, ice cream cones, and funnel cakes all make up what’s great about going to the games.
June and July will bring the Crosstown Classic as battle lines are drawn across town when the Cubs and White Sox do battle for four games. It may mean little in the standings, but means everything for the fans. Fights in the bleachers and constant smack talking will be seen between fans during the four game stretch.
Hot takes from fans once the season is in full swing will make for enjoyable entertainment. Social media and sports radio shows will have furious fans with either spot-on takes or the worst ideas ever involving their favorite team. Sports radio callers will demand that Kris Bryant should be traded as he isn’t clutch, that Rick Renteria should be fired because he doesn’t know how to handle the bullpen, and that batting average still matters.
The weather will turn cooler once again as the calendar turns to September. Attendendies for the cooler weather games will don sweaters and fleeces. Fans will watch for a potential playoff clinch and celebration. If either team is eliminated with a week or two to go, fans will either watch the games or attend the games to get their last fill of baseball before it is gone again.
All of this goes into making Chicago baseball so enjoyable year after year. Whether the season ends and both teams are in last place, or making a World Series run, Chicago baseball fans are there the entire way. It is great that those fans are just two week away from it all beginning again.
