Chicago White Sox fans return to Guaranteed Rate Field for Home Opener

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago White Sox returned to Guaranteed Rate Field Monday for their Home Opener, where they took on the San Francisco Giants.

The gates rose, and White Sox fans rushed in for the start of what they hope will be a championship season.

"I been waiting for a while, so I'm excited to get in," said Sox fan William Thomas.

Baseball is back on the South Side, and fans were full of optimism.

"It's a springtime event. Better weather," said Fred Dusell.

The White Sox took on the San Francisco Giants at the new time of 2:10 p.m., and fans could not wait.

Fan Nathan Qualls said he is looking forward to, "Winning, home runs and Kopech having a great game today."

The parking lots were jammed with barbeque grills and lawn chairs. Grilling is an art form for South Side tailgaters.

"It's a holiday, like the Super Bowl. You gotta call off the next day," said Jose Hernandez.

It is where longtime traditions continue.

"This is actually our spring," fan Nick Andriacchi said. "Spring doesn't start until Opening Day."

Monday was the second Opening Day for Antonio Perez.

"Opening Day has been a tradition for me and my son for a very long time since he was born as a matter of fact," Andriacchi said. "He's at Marquette right now. He will be on the train coming back today."

He came in honor of his late brother.

"I kind of want to make it habit," Perez said. "I remember last year my brother passing away, we want to keep that tradition going."

The home opener is a tradition for many fans. This was number 54 in a row for Tom Bainbridge. He has about 20 family members along as well, each with their own home opener streaks on the back of a t-shirt.

"As soon as we find out what day opening day is, it is on the calendar, and that gets blocked out," said Bainbridge.

But, Mickey Highland has him beat. This was his fifty-fifth straight home opener.

"This has gotta be, like, a national holiday. Yes, it used to be New Year's Eve, St. Patty's Day and the Sox home opener," Highland said.

It's a festive atmosphere outside the ball park. Inside, 2005 World Series hero AJ Pierzynski threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Fans are hope it will bring good karma for this season.

"AJ's gonna be a good luck charm for us this season," Julie Smith said.

Keep in mind, the ballpark is cashless, so have those phones ready to go.

In addition to the usual traditions and familiar faces of baseball comes some new food items, incorporating beer.

"Right in front we have our Belgium banger," said concessions chef Bret Donaldson. "This is going to exclusive to the Blue Moon Bar on the 500 level this year. This is a 1/3rd-pound spicy Polish sausage on a pretzel bun. We are really playing with sweet and spicy flavor in a lot of what we do this year, so we are topping this with a sweet orange brown sugar cabbage relish on top crispy bacon and toping it with orange garnish."

The start time for the game was moved up an hour to 2:10 p.m. due to inclement weather in the forecast Monday.

The Giants defeated the Chicago White Sox 12-3. David Villar hit two of San Francisco's seven home runs and Anthony DeSclafani tossed three-hit ball over six scoreless innings.