THE LOVE OF SPORTS compiled a list of nine reasons to go to Opening Day and here is their top 5:

5. Be with 40,000 other screaming baseball lovers, some hysterically drunk
Nothing says baseball more clearly than when the fan next to me starts singing a slurred, mangled version of “Take My Ballgame Out to Me” … in the fourth inning.

4. If the game is rained/snowed out, I can get a ticket for a more meaningful, late-season game
This only works about 25% of the time, since it presumes I can convince a ticket agent that not only will this be my only chance to use my rain check, but also that I can’t make it through the long Chicago winter without going to at least one baseball game.

3. Early season games practically guarantee the beer will be cold
In fact, it’s so cold that sometimes I wish my beer were hot chocolate.

2. Renew my love for outdoor food
I’ve come to realize why I only think about getting a nachos machine in April, just before I realize I have way too many hot dogs in my freezer.

1. Show everyone at work how “indispensable” I am
This hope is always dashed the next day when I ask “So, did anything exciting happen yesterday?” and the response is “Oh, you weren’t here?”

There are few things in sports that are more exciting than Opening Day. Granted, Mother Nature looks like she’s going to be an absolute bitch this year, because games are being canceled already (it’s actually snowing in Chicago). But hey, with the NCAA National Championship Game on tonight and baseball being played somewhere today, it’s a good day to be alive…