The Texas Rangers packed their home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, filling nearly 40,000 seats in the stadium amid the on-going coronavirus pandemic.
A look at Globe Life Field where the Texas Rangers are currently playing in front of a full-capacity crowd of 40,000+ fans. pic.twitter.com/fh31UJUVMe
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 5, 2021
The Rangers announced they sold 38,238 tickets for the home opener, and according to reports, sales were just under the stadium’s official capacity.
Looking like a sellout or very close to it at Globe Life Field for #Rangers home opener. Fans still filing in. pic.twitter.com/J1S2IN9ZWf
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) April 5, 2021
Videos and photos of Rangers fans surfaced across social media which showed fans cheering in excitement while attending the game ‘mask-free,’ celebrating the return to sports after Governor Abbott reopened Texas “100 percent.”
Below is the *first* full capacity crowd (40,000 people) at an American sports event since the #COVID19 pandemic hit. The Texas #Rangers are currently the only team among all 4 major pro sports in America to allow full capacity. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/cNcqd3mU0U
— Michael Bier (@_DTXMichael) April 5, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) announced on Monday that he would no longer be throwing out the game’s first-pitch after the MLB’s decision to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta, Georgia.
I was looking forward to throwing out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers' home opening game until @MLB adopted what has turned out to be a false narrative about Georgia's election law reforms.
It is shameful that America's pastime is being influenced by partisan politics. pic.twitter.com/pNJApYBHpw
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 5, 2021
“I was looking forward to throwing out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers’ home opening game until @MLB adopted what has turned out to be a false narrative about Georgia’s election law reforms,” said Abbott. “It is shameful that America’s pastime is being influenced by partisan politics.”
According to CBS Sports, the majority of MLB teams are operating at a 25 percent capacity.
Last week, President Joe Biden slammed the Texas Rangers for not restricting stadium attendance and called their decision “a mistake.”
“They should listen to Dr. Fauci, the scientists, and the experts. But I think it’s not responsible,” Biden said during an interview with ESPN.
According to the Texas Rangers website, the team will be offering more distanced seating following the Rangers home opener.
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