NEW YORK (KABC) — During Game 4 of the World Series in New York, a Yankees fan was ejected for ripping the ball out of Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts’ glove.
The game happened in the bottom of the first inning when Gleyber Torres hit a foul ball down the right field line. When a fan wearing a gray Yankees jersey grabbed Betts’ glove and held on until he pulled the ball out, Betts jumped up to catch the ball as it hit the wall.
Another fan also grabbed Betts’ right hand and wrist as the ball bounced away.
Fan interference was called and the batter was ejected. The fans involved in the interference were ejected from the game.
The Yankees defeated the Dodgers 11-4, sending the game to Game 5.
Betts addressed the incident after the game.
“As far as who’s playing, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. It doesn’t matter. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything is fine. We lost the game, so that’s what I’m focused on. We have to turn the page and be ready for tomorrow.”
ESPN identified the fan who grabbed Betts’ glove as Yankees season ticket holder Austin Capobianco. His friend John Peter held Betts’ hand.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco told ESPN. “I’m not going to go out of my way to attack. If it’s within our area, I’m going to ‘D’ up.”
Capobianco and Peter said they would be cleared to return for Game 5, but the Yankees did not immediately respond to ESPN’s request for comment to confirm whether they would be cleared.
ESPN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.