by Two New York Yankees fans did their best to stop Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts on Tuesday.
Two Yankees fans seated in the front row near the foul pole in right field were called for fan interference after attempting to rip Betts’ glove from his hand while he was fielding a foul ball in the fourth World Series game.
Their attempt, which came while Betts was tracking down a Gleyber Torres fly ball in the bottom of the first inning, failed. Betts appeared to have played well when the ball reached the first row of seats at Yankee Stadium, and both fans immediately tried to jump in and steal the ball. A fan actually ripped the ball out of Betts’ glove while apparently trying to completely remove the glove from Betts’ hand.
Officials quickly denounced fan interference and granted Betts the release. Security rushed to the fans almost immediately, and the two were seen exiting the stands.
A Yankees fan, Ana from Connecticut, who was standing nearby told me she told the guy he was a “hero” for trying to interrupt the play.
“It’s a championship game,” she said. pic.twitter.com/l5bKHAsRlk
– Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) October 30, 2024
The fans were ejected, according to The Athletic. The fan who attempted to snatch Betts’ glove has been identified as 38-year-old Austin Capobianco. Austin’s younger brother, Darren, told The Athletic that Betts was swearing at them.
“I just kind of see the ball – I don’t mean[goupforgrabsifthatmakessense”DarrenCapobiancosaidviaTheAthletic“AndthenMookiewasswearingatusNotgood”[allez-ysicelaadusens”adéclaréDarrenCapobiancoviaTheAthletic«EtpuisMookienousinjuriaitPasbon»[goupforgrabsifthatmakessense”DarrenCapobiancosaidviaTheAthletic“AndthenMookiewasswearingatusNotgood”
Austin, who is 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 was involved in a similar incident with fans during the ALCS in 2018, while with the Boston Red Sox. There were several incidents of fan interference throughout the postseason, including during Game 1 of the World Series, when a fan reached over the outfield wall and caught a ball from Torres. This play was ruled a double.
The Dodgers entered Tuesday’s game with a 3-0 series lead, and they immediately took a 2-0 lead when Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. Freeman has now hit a home run in all four World Series games and in six consecutive World Series games since his last appearance in 2021, both of which are records.
The Dodgers are looking for their first World Series title since 2020. The Yankees haven’t won since 2009. No team has climbed out of an 0-3 hole in World Series history.
