In a chaotic turn of events during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, two New York Yankees fans saw their night of prime baseball action end prematurely.
Seated in coveted spots with a perfect view of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the fans ended up watching the remainder of the game on a nearby bar TV—after being escorted out for attempting to wrestle a ball from Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts’ glove.
The drama began early in the game, with Yankees’ Gleyber Torres hitting a pop fly along the first-base line that sent Betts into foul territory. Just as Betts expertly secured the ball, two Yankees fans reached in, grabbing his glove in an attempt to free the ball.
One fan went as far as to grab Betts’ throwing hand, causing the ball to briefly pop out of his grip. Despite the fans’ interference, the umpires ruled it a valid catch, calling Torres out. Minutes later, the two overenthusiastic fans were escorted out of the stadium.
Austin Capobianco, one of the fans involved, shared his perspective with ESPN from a bar following the incident. “We always joke about the ball when it’s close,” he explained.
“We’re not going out of our way to attack, but if it’s within reach, we’re going to ‘D’ up.” He added that their intention was to defend their area and knock the ball out if possible, a move they had discussed and were prepared to execute. Despite their removal, Capobianco was informed he could return for Game 5.
Betts, on the other hand, didn’t seem too fazed by the interaction, dismissing it in his post-game interview following the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss. “It’s irrelevant. We lost,” he stated, focusing more on the game’s outcome than the incident itself.
The bizarre encounter adds yet another unforgettable moment to an intense World Series showdown between the Yankees and Dodgers—one that fans and players alike won’t soon forget.
