Chicago White Sox defeat Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day at Rate Field

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago White Sox opened their season at home Thursday afternoon.

The Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels 8-1 after the first pitch was thrown at 3:05 p.m.

More than 31,000 fans were at Rate Field, and after a season of historic futility, there's a new feeling on the South Side, if only for a day or two.

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Sean Burke was the starting pitcher for the White Sox with Yusei Kikuchi pitching for the Angels.

Former Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The grills were hot and the drinks were cold as Opening Day officially arrived on the South Side of Chicago. The sights and smells of tailgating returned to 35th and Shields as the White Sox opened up another baseball season.

"We have 105 years of attending home openers... Art with 60... me with 45," lifelong Sox fans Art Jimenez and "Sticks" said. "And we always come here with hope that the team is going to do well."

The White Sox are back for another season after losing a record 121 games last year. However, fans said they've turned the page with newfound hope at the start of a fresh season.

"Feels great," White Sox fan Chris Larsen said. "I love coming here. We always have a great time. They're our team."

Fans showed up bright and early to the ballpark Thursday. Fans were outside since 7 a.m. as if it was a playoff game. Lines were packed to get into the game as the first 20,000 fans receiving a plush blanket honoring the team's 125th anniversary.

Some fans at the game have been regulars at the home openers over the last several decades, including Jim Hoeflinger from Englewood, who was attending his 50th Opening Day.

"We have hope... Sox fans, we stick together and we have hope," Hoeflinger said. "You'd think we're gonna be in the World Series with this crowd today. It's just a lot of fun."

There were many stories across the tailgate lot, with the loyalty of this fan base proving true.

The White Sox said that sense of community is what they're excited to showcase on and off the field this season.

"The word I use about this team is fresh... fresh and exciting," said Christine O'Reilly, Senior VP of Community Relations. "They're young and just eager to show fans they're here and they're gonna give it their best effort and we're gonna try to be champions on the field and continue to be champions in the community."

The team continued its Opening Day Sox Split Guaranteed Jackpot, starting at $50,000, and fans at the game and at home can participate. It's one of the many things the team is doing to give back to the community.

"We guarantee the jackpot on Opening Day, which means we've seeded the jackpot at $50,000, so a fan is going to take home minimally $25,000," O'Reilly said. "Last year's winner... almost $70,000."

Sox fans have grown frustrated over the years with the level of talent on the field and rumors swirling about a potential sale of the team. There's also been disappointment in fans not being able to watch games unless they pay for the team's new regional sports network, CHSN.

"I just want to see ownership buy into a winning team," Hoeflinger said. "I think that's the frustration right now, because I think the fanbase doesn't believe that ownership wants to have a winning team."

Some fans said the team has to produce on the field before they buy in.

"Just want to see them spend some more money... get some good players," Sox fan Herman Mendez said. "We don't need a new ballpark, we got a beautiful ballpark right here... gotta stay on the South Side."

"Southpaw" was also ready to go for Opening Day. The Sox mascot visited the Willis Tower this week, taking a walk on The Ledge on the 103rd floor.

SEE ALSO | Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf reportedly open to selling team

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was also in attendance Thursday, cheering on his favorite baseball team on his 49th birthday. He said days like this represent the best Chicago has to offer.

"We are the best sports town in America," Johnson said. "The greatest freaking city in the world, and it's really a good opportunity for the people of Chicago to come together for a common cause and that's to make sure our teams are playing well and winning."

With an Opening Day win in the books, White Sox fans were all smiles and hopeful for a new chapter for the team.

"This sets the tempo for what's going to happen coming up later in the season that Chicago's going to win and keep on winning," Sox fan Michael Hayes said.

Maybe because it's March, not even April, but exuberance abounded among fans that endured the most losses last season in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

"The home runs, the players, the excitement, the fans, everything was fabulous," Sox fan Linda Grosklaus said.

Mayor Johnson said he has spoken with Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf amid rumors of a sale.

Our owners understand what their corporate responsibility is, and again my job is to work as possibly can to make sure that our teams stay in Chicago," Johnson said.

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This Opening Day had fans craving more, but many cable subscribers can't watch the games because the team's regional sports network doesn't have a deal with Comcast.

Even the popular Cork & Kerry in Bridgeport was nearly shut out, showing the game on only one TV that has an over-the-air signal. They're working to add "rabbit ears" to the rest.

"How can you not be able to watch the games on TV?" Sox fan Joanna Filkins said. "Not everybody can make it to the game."

Some fans had a different spin, saying it could lead them to buy more tickets to home games this season.