Dusty Baker welcomes full Minute Maid Park but asks for safety, too

OAKLAND, Calif. — News that Minute Maid Park will open to maximum capacity for the Astros’ next homestand excited Dusty Baker, but the veteran manager maintained a plea for better adherence to mask wearing for those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Astros will not require masks for fully vaccinated fans starting May 25. The team said it “encourages” non-vaccinated fans to wear face coverings, but said nothing in its announcement about providing proof of vaccination upon entrance.

“It looked like it was 75-80 percent last week (at Minute Maid Park),” Baker said Tuesday. “I was marveling at the energy that was there last weekend. There was tremendous energy in there. You think back on last year, there were cutouts and noise machines. It feels good to have people back in the stands. 

“I still would like to see people wear their mask a little more, be a little safer. The pandemic isn’t over.”

Masks were required at Minute Maid Park for the Astros’ first 24 home games, but there was next to no enforcement of the policy. Photographs from the games show scores of unmasked patrons enjoying themselves. The Centers for Disease Control recently updated its guidelines to allow all people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to do away with masks during most gatherings both inside and outside.

Because they reached 85 percent vaccination of their Tier 1 individuals, the Astros are not required to wear masks in the dugout or bullpens during games. The 71-year-old Baker continues to wear his, though, citing the New York Yankees’ recent outbreak. The Yankees, who also reached the 85 percent threshold, had eight positive tests among their fully vaccinated personnel.

“It’s important that it’s still safety first, but at the same time, we love having our fans and the support they bring us day in and day out,” outfielder Michael Brantley said. “We have some of the best fans in MLB. We always appreciate it when we have a full house and there’s support behind us.”

After opening the park around 25 percent capacity in April, the Astros increased attendance for their most recent 10-game homestand. Sunday’s series finale against the Texas Rangers drew an announced crowd of 26,069 — the largest of the season in the 41,168-seat stadium. 

Houston’s next homestand begins with a two-game series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers — a series certain to draw an increased demand for newly available tickets.

“We need that certain energy from our fans,” Baker said. “We embrace the love from the fans because we hadn’t gotten much love on the road. It’s big. That is huge to come home and know that people are behind you and on your side.”