Tens of thousands of fans gathered Thursday afternoon at Globe Life Field in Arlington to watch the Texas Rangers take on the Boston Red Sox for baseball’s opening day, despite a forecast that threatened rain.
Related:Full coverage: Late HR dooms Rangers against Red Sox on opening day at Globe Life Field
The familiar scents of hot dogs, barbecue, popcorn, booze and anticipation filled the air as chatter, laughter and excitement from fans, both Rangers and Red Sox, wafted across the stadium.
Stadium officials said the opening day game was a sellout with 37,587 attendees. Fans from all over, near and far, flooded the stadium’s seats, readying themselves for first pitch, scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
Be the smartest Rangers fan. Get the latest news.
At it since ‘72
Season ticket holders Gloria and Kevin Korando, of Midlothian, said they have been coming to Texas Rangers games since the team moved to North Texas back in 1972.
“[We’re] big fans,” Gloria said, popcorn in hand, as the team conducted batting practice on the field just three hours before first pitch. “We’ve been to spring training. We follow [the team] everywhere.”
Related:2025 MLB season national predictions: Texas Rangers back on World Series hunt?
The married couple of 40 years met in Dallas, which is Gloria’s hometown. Kevin, who was practically raised in St. Louis, used to be a St. Louis Cardinals fan, until his wife “changed his mind” and got him involved with the Rangers.
“We both just love baseball,” Kevin said. “So when the Rangers came here from Washington D.C., we instantly started watching them and following them.”
As season ticket holders, the couple said they try to make it to every Rangers game, and if they can’t for some reason, they have “relatives standing in line” willing to go in their place.
Still, Gloria described the couple, both 67, as “Rangers nuts.”
To celebrate their last anniversary on Jan. 17, she said they went to the annual Texas Rangers Awards Dinner. Kevin added that for his wife’s birthday, which is at the end of September, the couple will typically go to the games to celebrate.
A true baseball fan
Karina Valkum, 76, stood near the southeast entrance of the stadium, taking in the energy of 40,000 fans on opening day.
All the way from British Columbia, Canada, she said she has been traveling and visiting all 30 MLB parks for the last 13 years.
“This was the last spot I was missing for my checklist,” Valkum said. “I can now be happy that I completed my checklist.”
Valkrum adds to her checklist the Globe Life Field on opening day. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn fills the air as she makes her way to her seat.
A Split House
A married couple- Matea, 26, and Brady O’Brien, 27, waited in their seats for the game to start at the Globe Life Field while surrounded by a sea of Rangers fans.
Brady was born in the Northeast but raised in Texas since he was 3, wore his Red Sox jersey proudly. His wife wore her Rangers gear proudly.
The couple said they have attended every Red Sox game in North Texas since they were married three years ago.
“I used to go with my dad yearly to the Red Sox games, but now I go with my wife,” Brady said.
Matea has been a Texas fan since she was born, and she said she now feels OK that her husband is a Red Sox fan.
“I feel OK about his decision, but I’m glad we are where Rangers fans are, I’m not sure if I could be in Boston with all their fans,” Matea said.
Opening Day tradition
Boston Red Sox fans Mark and Kerri Gowarty, 54 and 51, said they came to Globe Life Field from Scranton, Pennsylvania to support their team on Opening Day, a tradition their family has maintained the last 10 years.
“[We] started going to opening day for the Red Sox back in 2015, no matter where they were playing their opening day,” Kerri said. “So happy to be here to support the Red Sox.”
She added that the Red Sox have only played at home in Boston twice since their family started the tradition a decade ago, and they always try to make it no matter where the game is. The married couple was joined Thursday by their 24-year-old son.
Despite being majorly outnumbered by waves of Rangers fans, the couple said they are hoping for not just a win on Opening Day, but a good season overall.
