Kenzie Hart takes a group picture with family members in front of the marquee at Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026. Opening day is Thursday between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Season ticket holder Rich Dutton, of Troy, Ohio, plays catch with his grandson at Gallagher Way outside Wrigley Field, March 25, 2026, in Chicago. Opening day is Thursday between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
John Jacobs, left, and Jeff Brulle of Painters Local 147 paint flower planters in front of the marquee at Wrigley Field, March 25, 2026, ahead of opening day between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
A baseball fan leans into a ticket booth window at Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026. Opening day is Thursday between the Cubs and Nationals. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Police officers move traffic security barricades on the Waveland and Sheffield side of Wrigley Field, March 25, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Eric Amundson and Jenny Couch lie in the sun at Gallagher Way outside Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs fan Cameron Swank, 10, wears his Pete Crow-Armstrong jersey as he plays catch with his grandfather at Gallagher Way outside Wrigley Field, March 25, 2026, ahead of opening day in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Meghan Flanigan, visiting from Las Vegas, walks past a welcome sign across from Wrigley Field, March 25, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
A child looks through a gate on the Sheffield Avenue side of Wrigley Field, March 25, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Felipe Martinez cleans windows at a sports apparel store across from Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026, ahead of opening day for the Chicago Cubs. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
A Cracker Jack box lies on the ground next to a brick displaying Ernie Banks' name on the Waveland Avenue side of Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
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Kenzie Hart takes a group picture with family members in front of the marquee at Wrigley Field on March 25, 2026. Opening day is Thursday between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
ExpandColumn: Opening day arrives for Cubs and White Sox with renewed optimism, new faces — and even a few bidets
Another opening day for Chicago baseball, the gift that keeps on giving ... since 1876.
