Whether you’re a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan, there’s no getting around that giddy feeling of the Major League Baseball season opening in Chicago. The first recorded game in Chicago was played in August 1851—to give you some perspective on how deep you have to dig to find the sport’s roots in the Windy City.

Much to the chagrin of New York Yankee standout Derek Jeter, now the owner of the Miami Marlins, the Cubs started the season hitting it out of the park—quite literally.

The Cub’s leadoff batter and center fielder Ian Happ took a swing at the first pitch of the season, a middle-middle fastball from the Marlins’ Jose Urena. Happ sent the ball over the right-field fence before jogging in the first of eight runs to leave the Cubs on top, 8-4.

It’s simply hard to think of a better way for the Cubbies to start the season.

The Sox rolled up their sleeves and got to work late last month, after having been pummeled in Spring training by the Kansas City Royals. Thankfully, when it counts, the Southsiders were able to walk away with back-to-back wins against the Royals, 14-7 and 4-3.

Even if the Cubs or Sox didn’t manage to put their best foot forward at the beginning of the season, there’s no doubt that every true fan in the city would do everything in their power to be at the first home game—rain, snow, or shine.

Why? Because Chicago isn’t filled with fair-weather fans. And, because it’s understood that the city’s deep heritage in the sport has significantly impacted the entire nation.

It wasn’t until the 1918 World Series when the Cubs were facing off against Babe Ruth and the Boston Red Sox in Chicago that something changed with how Americans resonated with what would later become the national anthem.

“Certainly the outpouring of sentiment, enthusiasm, and patriotism at the 1918 World Series went a long way to making the [The Star-Spangled Banner] the national anthem,” John Thorn, Major League Baseball’s official historian, told the Chicago Tribune.

Of course, it’s easy to quickly become lost in Chicago’s rich baseball history. However, this spring, history is already in the making as the Sox and Cubs battle toward the World Series.

The schedules for the White Sox and the Cubs are available online. If you don’t have tickets—and can’t get them—then it’s time to start preparing to have friends over and settle down in front of the big screen. Though nothing can bring people together just like Chicago baseball, the lunch, dinner, cocktail event, and dessert menus we put together include the right dishes to keep your friends and family members licking their fingers as they watch the next game.

Catering by Michael’s loves Chicago baseball! If you invite us to your party, make sure to tag us on Instagram @cateringchicago or use #CateringbyMichaels. We’ll re-post the best shots!