Globe Life Field at full capacity for Rangers home opener (Video)

The Texas Rangers welcomed a capacity crowd to Globe Life Field on Monday as the first pro sports venue in the U.S. to open fully in more than a year.

It’s been a long, long time since the roar of a capacity crowd graced the walls of an American sports stadium. On Monday, it finally happened.

Globe Life Field became the first major U.S. pro sports venue to lift attendance restrictions, welcoming a capacity crowd for the Rangers home opener against the Blue Jays.

It’s still an odd thing to see so many people in one place, but it’s the first sign that things are getting closer and closer to normal.

The Rangers, who required masks to be worn in the stadium, announced a sellout with announced attendance of 38,238 for the game.

The decision to return with a full house of fans was controversial. President Joe Biden called it a “mistake” when it was announced in April. Texas went through with the plan despite the criticism. If there is an impact with regards to new cases of COVID-19, it will have to be seen down the line.

Globe Life Field held the fans, but the Rangers opener disappointed

It wasn’t a happy return for Rangers fans once the game got started. The Blue Jays scored four runs in the opening two innings as Mike Foltynewicz gave up two home runs.

Toronto added to their commanding lead in the seventh on an error, taking a 6-1 advantage into the final frame. Brock Holt batted in a run in the ninth, but the rally didn’t go any further.

The Rangers are now 1-3 with hopes the crowd will make more of a difference on Tuesday and Wednesday when they finished out the series with Toronto.

The homestand will then continue with a three-game series against the Padres.