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Yankees fan in Mookie Betts incident banned from next World Series game

Yankees fan in Mookie Betts incident banned from next World Series game

The Yankees fan holding down Dodgers star Mookie Betts‘ glove in an attempt to pry the baseball from his hands may not return for Game 5.

The Yankees brought one official statement on Wednesday, Oct. 30, following the incident between Betts, 32, and the identified fan ESPN as Austin Capobianco. His friend, John Peter, also grabbed Betts’ non-gloved hand during the game.

“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior exhibited last night. These fans will not be allowed to attend tonight’s game in any capacity,” the Yankees said, adding that “the safety and security of players Fans and stadium staff are the fundamental element of any event held at Yankee Stadium, and that cannot be compromised.”

Capobianco, 38, spoke to ESPN at a local bar after he and Peter were evicted from Yankee Stadium, telling the outlet that he has no regrets about his involvement in the World Series and that he and Peter “always joke about” hypothetical situations of what they would do. do as the ball approached their “area” of the stadium.

“We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to do a ‘D,'” Capobianco said. “Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We are willing to do this.”

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Still, Capobianco knew his actions would result in an expulsion. “I know when I’m wrong and as soon as I did it I was like, ‘Guys, I’m out,’” Capobianco told ESPN. “I patrol that wall and they know it.”

The incident occurred in the bottom of the first inning when Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a deep foul ball to right field. Betts – who later called the moment “irrelevant” to Los Angeles’ Game 4 loss – ran to the wall and jumped to make the catch.

However, Capobianco intervened, grabbed the right fielder’s glove and tried to take the ball away. Peter then appeared to grab Betts’ wrist, as the Dodgers star appeared enraged by their behavior.

Fans interfere with Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Al Bello/Getty


Betts told ESPN, “When it comes to the person in the game, it doesn’t matter,” after the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss in New York. “We lost. It doesn’t matter. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s fine. We lost the game and I’m kind of focused on that. We have to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

Game 4 on Tuesday was the Yankees’ last chance to keep the World Series going. The Dodgers won the first three games of the series, including Game 1 at a dramatic walk-off Grand Slam by Freddie Freeman.

The first pitch in Game 5 of the World Series will be thrown on Wednesday, October 30 at 8:08 PM ET.