CNN
—
Two New York Yankees fans were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday for ripping the ball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ glove.
Midway through the bottom of the first inning, Betts ran toward the right field line and the corner wall in an attempt to catch a foul ball from Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres.
After Betts appeared to catch the ball, it popped and one fan in the front row pried the outfielder’s glove off, while another grabbed the Dodgers star’s other hand.
Betts was furious at the incident, and Torres was removed by the referee due to fan interference.
Joe Davis of the Fox commentary team said, “It’s a result of hard work.” Added John Smoltz, a former All-Star pitcher, eight-time pitcher and color commentator: “Well, he won’t be watching the game for very long.”
Video posted later on social media showed the two New York fans high-fiving each other and being escorted out of Yankee Stadium by security. 1 fan said Athletic reporter Rustin Dodd said the fans “were heroes…this is a championship game.”
The fan who ripped the ball from Betts’ glove was reportedly identified by ESPN as a Yankees season ticket holder who was watching the game with a friend.
According to ESPN, the two had previously discussed what they would do if a foul ball came their way.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” one fan said at a local bar after the game, according to ESPN. “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. Let’s talk about it. We are happy to do this. ”
Fans told ESPN that stadium security was told they would be allowed back on the field for Game 5 on Wednesday.
An MLB spokesperson confirmed to CNN that both fans were ejected. CNN has reached out to the Yankees for comment on the situation.
The best photos of the 2024 World Series
The Yankees went on to defeat the Dodgers 11-4, ending the series 3-1 in Los Angeles’ favor and avoiding elimination. No team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit in the Fall Classic.
Asked about the incident afterwards, Betts said, “That’s not the point.” “We lost, it doesn’t matter. I’m okay, he’s okay, everything is fine. We lost the game. That’s what I’m focused on. Turn the page. Everything. Everything is going well.”
Betts’ teammate Tommy Edman called the incident “unacceptable.”
“Yeah, it looked ridiculous in my eyes,” the Dodgers shortstop said. “The guy was pulling his wrist and trying to pull his gloves off. … It looked like he was ejected, but I’m glad he was. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
This World Series is not the first time Torres has had his ball affected by fan interference.
In Game 1, the Venezuelan earned a double after hitting a ball into left field at Dodger Stadium and a fan reached over the wall to catch it.
