Two New York Yankees fans were banned from Wednesday night's World Series game in the Bronx after they crossed into the field of play and interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts.
The fans in the front row of seats along the right field foul line could be seen attempting to pry the baseball from the glove of Mookie Betts after he leaped near the wall and caught a fly ball in foul territory off the bat of New York's Gleyber Torres. One fan in a Yankees jersey could be seen trying to open Betts' glove as another wearing sunglasses grabbed the right-fielder's arm.
The ball eventually was pried loose, but Torres was immediately called out on fan interference. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Yankees called the behavior "egregious and unacceptable physical contact" and said the two fans will not be allowed to attend Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees said in the statement, "Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised."
"Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk."
"The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”
The incident took place in the first inning of Game 4 on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Betts, in right field, sprinted into foul ground and caught a pop-up before a fan in a gray Yankees road jersey reached out and tried to rip the ball out of his glove.
Then another fan, in sunglasses and a pinstripe jersey, grabbed Betts’ right wrist as he tried to secure the ball and the glove on his left hand.
Betts was asked about the play after the game.
"When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter," Betts said. "We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He's fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow."
ESPN identified one of the fans as a 38-year-old season-ticket holder, who said in an interview that he and the fan with him discussed such a scenario.
"We always joke about the ball in our area," the fan said at a bar after the game, ESPN reported. "We're not going to go out of our way to attack. If it's in our area, we're going to 'D' up."
"Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We're willing to do this."
The unusual scene played out in the first inning with the Dodgers up 2-0 behind another Freddie Freeman home run and on the verge of a World Series sweep, but the Yankees stormed back to win 11-4.
A player and fans are allowed equal rights to a baseball when it's hit into the stands. But Betts had clearly caught the ball in the field of play when fans reached over to try to take it away.
The fans were escorted out of Yankee Stadium following the incident and ejected, a team spokesperson said in a statement.
It was just that latest case of fans becoming involved in the field of play during the postseason and the second involving Torres, who hit a fly ball to to the outfield in Dodger Stadium that was caught by a fan who reached over the wall. The play was ruled a double.
Game 2 of the National League Divisional Series was halted for several minutes after fans threw a baseball, empty water bottles, trash and other items on the outfield.
The Dodgers have a second chance to close out the series in Game 5 Wednesday night in New York. A win would give the Dodgers their eighth World Series title.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are still one win from a World Series title. But the New York Yankees have a little momentum on their side after forcing a Game 5 with their season on the line.
Tonight, it's a rematch of Game 1 starters -- Gerrit Cole for New York and Jack Flaherty for L.A. Will we crown the Dodgers the 2024 champs -- or will the Yankees send the series back to Hollywood?
We've got it all covered, from live updates and analysis during the game to takeaways after the final pitch to what's next for each team.
Live Updates
The Yankees announced in a statement Wednesday that the fans "will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any capacity" and added that the incident Tuesday night with Betts was "egregious and unacceptable."
A source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers earlier Wednesday that it was not immediately clear whether the ban against Austin Capobianco and John Peter, both season-ticket holders, would apply to any Yankee Stadium games next season.
"The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised," the Yankees said in their statement.
"Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans' passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one's team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk."
The team said it gave the fans' Game 5 tickets to an ill child and his family who were unable to attend a kids-only news conference at the ballpark in September to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Capobianco told Rogers that the Yankees refunded him the cost of the tickets for Game 5 and also informed him that he would be arrested if he tried to attend the game.
"We're hoping for a short-term ban," Capobianco told Rogers. "We don't want to lose the season tickets."
Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement Wednesday that the union "will be closely tracking both the response to that incident and the protective measures taken going forward."
"The MLBPA takes Player safety and security very seriously, including and especially at the ballpark," Clark said. "As with every incident at the ballpark that affects Players, we have been in regular contact with League security officials since last night's incident."
Capobianco and Peter were ejected for prying the ball out of Betts' glove after the right fielder's leaping catch in the first inning.
Betts leaped at the wall along the right-field line in foul territory and initially caught Gleyber Torres' popup. Capobianco, seated in the first row and wearing a gray Yankees road jersey, grabbed Betts' glove with both hands and pulled the ball out while Peter grabbed Betts' non-glove hand at the wrist.
Betts reacted angrily, and Torres was immediately called out on fan interference.
"Not good. There's no place for that. It's as simple as that," New York manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. "Come here, cheer, root for your team, whatever. No place for that. Should never have hands on anyone."
Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo said Wednesday he wasn't too surprised by what happened in New York.
"I saw it. It was maybe one of the more extreme -- kind of trying to rip a ball out," he said. "But at the same time, that's kind of New York. I feel like that's what you expect out here. You expect some unique things.
"At the end of the day, I didn't feel it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off, too. That's just kind of the passion, I guess, New Yorkers have."
It was the second time Torres had an at-bat impacted by fan interference this World Series. With two outs in the ninth inning of Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Torres hit a fly ball to left field, and a fan reached over and caught the ball. Torres was awarded a double.
Lineups, Matchups
The Yankees went on to win Game 4, 11-4, and stay alive in the best-of-seven series, that L.A. leads, 3-1.
Wednesday night's contest in the Bronx will be the Yankees' last home date of 2024.
Los Angeles leads series 3-1
Pitching matchup: Jack Flaherty (1-2, 6.10 ERA) vs. Gerrit Cole (1-0, 2.82 ERA)
Starting lineups
Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH Mookie Betts (R) RF Freddie Freeman (L) 1B Teoscar Hernandez (R) LF Max Muncy (L) 3B Enrique Hernandez (R) CF Tommy Edman (S) SS Will Smith (R) C Gavin Lux (L) 2B
Yankees
Gleyber Torres (R) 2B Juan Soto (L) RF Aaron Judge (R) CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 3B Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B Anthony Volpe (R) SS Austin Wells (L) C Alex Verdugo (L) LF
The Aftermath: A Reflection on Fan Behavior
The incident has sparked a conversation about fan behavior at sporting events, especially in light of increasing reports of fan misconduct. While it is understandable that fans are passionate about their teams, it is crucial to remember that athletes are human beings and deserve to be treated with respect.
The MLBPA's statement also highlights the importance of player safety and security. The union's decision to closely monitor security efforts after the incident indicates a commitment to ensuring that players are protected from harm.
Ultimately, the incident serves as a reminder that fans should always prioritize respect and sportsmanship, and that their behavior should never cross the line into physical contact with players.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
