Which is superior – the Chicago White Sox or the Chicago Cubs? It’s one of the most heated arguments among Chicagoans, backed up by passionate fans on either side — even at U-High.

With last year’s Major League Baseball season cut short, U-High’s avid baseball fans haven’t been able to attend games in over a year. This season, the MLB hosted its opening day on April 1. 

However, to the delight of fans who have missed watching their favorite players right before them, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that both Chicago teams may sell tickets for 20% of their available seats this year. This means that the Cubs will be able to sell 8,274 tickets to their home games at Wrigley Field for the time being, while the White Sox will be able to sell 8,122 tickets.

With U-High’s baseball fans eager to watch their favorite teams again, here is what they are anticipating.

Which players are you looking forward to watching this season?

Sohrab Rezaei, White Sox fan

“I’m looking forward to watching Luis Robert because he had a really good season last year, and I’d say he has potential to be somewhat of another Mike Trout. He’s really athletic, he can destroy baseballs, he’s fast, and I’m just really excited to watch him.”

Mason List, White Sox fan

“I’m most looking forward to Andrew Vaughn. He’s currently one of my favorite players because I met him last February in Arizona for the White Sox’s spring training. I actually even got to be their batboy, and I met him in the dugout, and he was a really nice guy.”

Jackie Slimmon, Cubs fan

“I’m most excited to see Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo playing together again this season. I think they’re definitely fan favorites, but they also have a really great friendship, so it’s always nice to watch them play together.”

Sophia Pessoa, Cubs fan

“It’s a balance between looking forward to seeing the older players, such as Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baéz, and Kris Bryant — whose contracts are said to be ending this year and there’s still no news of an extension, which makes me excited to go to the new season so I can just appreciate them being there — but also keeping an eye out for the rookies and some of the younger players.”

Are you planning on going to any games in-person this season? Why or why not?

Sohrab Rezaei, White Sox fan

“I’m going to try to. I’m not exactly sure how, but I’m going to try and squeeze in at least a couple of games because I just miss being able to watch my favorite players on-ground. I just really miss the stadium.”

Mason List, White Sox fan

“I’m probably going to try to convince my dad to let us go to a game or two. I feel like it’s going to be weird being in person after so long, but it’s definitely going to be really cool.”

Jackie Slimmon, Cubs fan

“My family hasn’t really heard much about getting in-person tickets. It could just be because of how different it is this year due to the pandemic, but if we do get season tickets, I’ll definitely be going, and my family would definitely go as well. It’s worth it to wear the mask and sit six feet apart if we can go in-person this year, especially since I didn’t get to go to any games last year, and I miss it.”

Sophia Pessoa, Cubs fan

“I really do hope to go. I’m aware that a lot of teams are offering purchasing options for the tickets, though I also know that the path the Cubs took was offering more of a raffle to make the playing field equal for season ticket holders and just regular attendees, where you could enter for an opportunity to watch a game in-person. My family has entered the raffle, and I’m really hoping that I get to go.”

How do you think the Cubs or White Sox are going to do this season?

Sohrab Rezaei, White Sox fan

“I think that [the White Sox] are going to do really well. I remember that last year they had a great season, but they just fell off really hard at the end of the season. But this year I think they’re going to be more consistent because there’s obviously a lot more games. There’s also younger players, like Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal, are definitely going to get more experience which will translate to us becoming a better team. I feel like we’re going to go really far this year.”

Mason List, White Sox fan

“I think that [the White Sox] are going to have a really solid year after watching them play last year. I’m really excited to see how it plays out.”

Jackie Slimmon, Cubs fan

“I really hope that they do well, but honestly it’s kind of hard to tell — especially with their short season last year. I think the stadiums being at a much lower capacity is going to be something they have to adjust to, especially because the Cubs is a team that really thrives off of the fans and the fans’ energy, so not having as many of them is definitely going to be an adjustment.”

Sophia Pessoa, Cubs fan

“I was a little pessimistic going into Spring training, since the Cubs have been showing signs of going into team rebuild very soon, but if the season plays out the same way that Spring Training is playing out, where we’re the best in our league, I do think we have a really great chance at winning our division — especially because a lot of the other teams in our division have lost a lot of their valuable players.”