Fans Swarm To U.S. Cellular For White Sox Home Opener
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Fans are swarming to U.S. Cellular Field and tailgating in the parking lots, as Opening Day arrives for the White Sox.
As CBS 2's Ryan Baker reports, the White Sox are already 3-2 this season, and while many experts said the team was in a building mode, they have proven to be competitive.
They will have their toughest match of the season yet Friday in taking on the AL Central Division champion Detroit Tigers.
The home opener is also a homecoming for new Manager Robin Ventura, who played for the White Sox for 10 years.
"It's exciting; I mean, you feel like you're up here, so in a lot of ways it's coming home of sorts, and I think the guys that haven't played here, it's exciting for them, and I get to enjoy, kind of, that to," Ventura said.
Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham said the team only needs to play their best to sustain their success.
"We're playing the right way. I think that's the main thing, we're playing the right way. We're showing up, doing the work, we're making sure that we get everything in that we need to get in," Beckham said. "And the rest, all you've got to do is go out and play, and do your thing, and our talents are going to come out. And we've got a lot of talent."
Meanwhile, Sox senior vice president of marketing Brooks Boyer told CBS 2's Kris Gutierrez that fans will be greeted by many new features at U.S. Cellular Field this season, particularly in the retail sphere.
"The Nike store is terrific, along with our Chicago Sports Depot. We also have new red jacket that's in the store, as well as the Victoria's Secret Pink Collection, so if you're coming to the White Sox game looking for what is going to be new and unique about our experience, certainly we've upped the ante on the retail end," Boyer said.
Grammy Award-winning rapper and South Side native Common will throw out the first pitch for the game.
