Texas Rangers fans packed stores before dawn Tuesday morning looking for merchandise to celebrate the team's American League pennant. The Rangers beat the Astros 11-4 Monday night in Houston to win Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
Academy Sports + Outdoors had 23 stores across North Texas packed with shirts and hats when they opened Tuesday morning. Many locations opened early with fans waiting outside.
"They said they started setting up last night and reopened after the game. Then they got more shirts in and started early this morning," one woman at the store in South Arlington said. "They're not supposed to be open until 9, but they opened at 7."
"I was thinking this morning, I've been a fan of the Rangers since the 1970s," one man said. "I've been through the highs and lows, and last night was fantastic."
Academy told visitors who arrived before dawn they had a stock of clothing already available, but specialty items and fitted caps would not arrive until Tuesday afternoon.
One woman was sifting through shirts looking for sizes for her kids, husband, and father.
"My dad and husband were really, really excited when they won last night," she said. "They were just jumping with joy. I didn't know two grown men could be acting like my kids at home, but they were really excited."
First pitch of Game 1 of the World Series will be at 7:03 p.m. Friday at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The Rangers will learn their opponent after Game 7 of the National League Championship Series between Arizona and Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
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