Forget about the appearance of robins. The habitual harbinger of spring in Chicago is the crack of the bat hitting the baseball. Specifically, the White Sox and Cubs season openers.

This year, spring arrived March 31 when the Cubs hosted the Milwaukee Brewers, losing 4-3 before 41,089 disappointed fans. Conversely, the White Sox hosted the Minnesota Twins April 7, winning 7-4 before 38,082 delighted fans.

Both season openers had less than ideal weather. The Cubs endured temperatures in the low 40s and two rain delays. The Sox enjoyed a “balmy” 53-degree day and 27 mph wind gusts. Are Chicago fans dedicated to their baseball teams? You bet they are.

It is an amusing coincidence that this column’s masthead is synonymous to the Cubs and White Sox ballpark locations. The Cubs play on the North Side at Wrigley Field the White Sox play on the South Side at U.S. Cellular Field. Hence, Chicago baseball fans usually show allegiance to the team closest to where they live. Note, I said, usually. There are a good number of South Side Cubs fans North Side Sox fans are less prevalent.

A fierce rivalry exists between the Northsiders and Southsiders, though we try to keep it friendly. The competition peaks twice yearly when the Cubs and Sox compete against one another in the Crosstown Classic series. Some fans think the Crosstown games are the only ones that really matter. Why? Because the winning team determines bragging rights.

Lastly, Chicago fans are patient optimists. The Cubs have not won a World Series in 99 ½ years, yet Wrigley Field is always filled to capacity. Every year, Cubs fans firmly believe their team will win the World Series. When they don’t, hopeful fans proclaim, “Wait until next year!”

In 2005, Sox fans rejoiced when their team won the World Series ending a mere 88-year drought. The city enthusiastically celebrated that victory, some Cubs fans included.

Long ago, the late baseball player Rogers Hornsby said, “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” After Chicago’s exceptionally long, hard winter, I say, “Play ball!”