Yankees fans called for interference after trying to rip off Mookie Betts' hand in Game 4 (video)

A few New York Yankees fans did their best to stop Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts on Tuesday.

Two Yankees fans sitting in the front row near the right field foul pole were called for fan interference after they tried to pull Betts’ glove off his hand while he was making a play on a foul ball in Game 4 of the World Series, which the Yankees won 11-4.

These Yankees fans certainly did their best to keep Mookie Betts from getting the clean sheet on Tuesday. (Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello via Getty Images)

Their attempt, which came when Betts tracked down a Gleyber Torres fly ball in the bottom of the first inning, was unsuccessful. Betts appeared to have made the right play when the ball reached the front row of seats at Yankee Stadium, and the two fans immediately tried to jump in and steal the ball. One fan even ripped the ball out of Betts’ glove while apparently trying to pull the glove completely out of Betts’ hand.

Officials quickly cited fan interference and gave Betts the no. Security almost immediately ran to the fans and the two were seen leaving the stands.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Betts told reporters afterward. “But there’s always a first time for a first.”

According to The Athletic, the fans were turned away. The fan who tried to pull Betts’ glove off was identified as Austin Capobianco, 38. Austin’s younger brother, Darren, told The Athletic that Betts swore at them.

“I just see the ball, I don’t want to say go for the taking, if that makes sense,” said Darren Capobianco, via The Athletics. “And then Mookie cursed at us. Not good.”

A Yankees fan, Ana from Connecticut, standing nearby told me she told the man he was a “hero” for trying to break up the play.

“It’s a championship game,” she said. pic.twitter.com/l5bKHAsRlk

— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) October 30, 2024

Austin, a Yankees season ticket holder, declined to comment on the incident to The Athletic via text message. He said he just wanted to “watch the game.”

Betts downplayed the incident after the game, telling reporters outside his locker: “It doesn’t matter. We lost. It’s not relevant. I’m fine, he’s fine. Everything’s cool. We got the game lost, that’s what I am.” focused on. We have to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

Mookie Betts was not interested in talking to the two fans in the first inning about the incident, calling it “irrelevant” to the end result of the game. pic.twitter.com/t1TJKdvG25

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 30, 2024

Betts was involved in a similar incident with fans during the 2018 ALCS while with the Boston Red Sox. There have also been several incidents of fan interference throughout the postseason, including in Game 1 of the World Serieswhen a fan reached over the outside wall and caught a Torres catch. That game was labeled as a double.

The Dodgers entered Tuesday’s game with a 3-0 series lead, then jumped up 2-0 when Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. Freeman has hit a home run in all four World Series games in six consecutive World Series games dating back to his last appearance in 2021, both records.

Despite falling into the early hole, the Yankees cruised ahead to a big win thanks in large part to a grand slam by Anthony Volpe in the third inning and a three-run homer by Torres in the eighth. The Dodgers are looking for their first World Series title since 2020. The Yankees haven’t won since 2009.

No team has successfully rallied from 0-3 in World Series history. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in New York.