The game marked one of the first full-capacity sporting events since the coronavirus closed all sporting events more than a year ago.
The audience paid for Monday’s game was 38,238, a number that Rangers spokesman John Blake described as a burnout. The total capacity of the stadium is 40,518, according to Blake.
The Rangers are the only Major League Baseball team that allows full seating capacity at their stadium, thanks in part to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who lifted mask restrictions last month and allowed companies to open with 100% of capacity.
The Rangers website states that masks are necessary for all fans in the game, “except when they actively eat or drink in their ticket seats”.
Globe Life Field opened last year, but all of the Rangers’ home games were played with no fans present.
Monday’s game comes at a time when states in the United States are beginning to ease restrictions, despite warnings from health officials.
President Joe Biden called the decision to host a stadium full of “an error” in a recent interview with ESPN.
“Well, that’s a decision they made. I think it’s a mistake,” said Biden. “They should listen to Dr. (Anthony) Fauci, the scientists and the experts. But I think he is not responsible.”
Abbott, a Republican, refused to launch the game’s first ceremonial pitch. He cited the MLB’s decision to move the organization’s All-Star game and recruitment in Atlanta in response to Georgia’s restrictive voting law.
The governor also said that he will no longer participate in any event organized by the MLB, and that the state of Texas will not seek to host the All-Star game or any other special MLB event.
