What These Yankees Fans Did to Mookie Betts – The Shocking Moment That Left Everyone Embarrassed
|The New York Yankees have scolded two of their fans for grabbing a ball that Mookie Betts caught during the World Series. Betts talked about this moment recently.
During Game 4 of the World Series on October 29, Mookie Betts, the right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, ran across the field at Yankee Stadium to catch a ball hit by New York Yankees player Gleyber Torres.
Mookie Betts dashed towards the wall in foul territory to catch a ball hit by Yankees player Gleyber Torres. This happened during Game 4 of the World Series on October 29.
Betts moved quickly and jumped at the wall with his glove ready to make the catch. However, at that moment, two fans from the front row interfered, causing a stir among the crowd.
Video that went viral shows Betts reaching over the barrier to catch the ball. Just as he was about to grab it, a Yankees fan named Austin Capobianco reached down and grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands.
With a big grin, Capobianco pulled on Betts’ glove, making it hard for him to hold onto the ball. At the same time, Capobianco’s friend, John Peter, grabbed Betts’ other hand, adding to the interference.
Betts’ reaction was clear. He looked frustrated and shocked, feeling like he lost a moment that he should have had.
The umpire, Mark Carlson, quickly called Torres out because of the fan interference. Security also acted fast, escorting Capobianco and Peter out of the stadium.
After the game, Capobianco defended his actions to ESPN. As a Yankees season-ticket holder, he mentioned that he and Peter often joked about helping their team if a foul ball came near them.
“We’re not going to attack anyone. If the ball comes our way, we’re going to try to help,” Capobianco explained. He went to a bar after the game and saw the moment as a chance to help the Yankees win, even if it meant taking the ball from an opposing player.
Betts, although upset during the incident, later dismissed it in a press conference. Reporters wanted to hear his thoughts on the fan interference, which had already sparked a lot of reactions on social media.
When asked about the fan, Betts replied, “It doesn’t matter. We lost, it doesn’t matter.” He focused more on his team’s loss than the odd situation in the stands.
A reporter brought up Betts’ hand, mentioning how it looked like his wrist bent awkwardly when the fans grabbed him. Betts assured everyone that he didn’t even notice it, saying, “I’m fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game, and that’s what I’m focused on. We need to prepare for tomorrow.”
He was also asked if he had faced anything like this before. Betts said he hadn’t, repeating that it was “irrelevant.”
Instead of talking about the incident, Betts highlighted the Dodgers’ struggles in the game, admitting, “We didn’t play well today, and they did, and that’s why they won.”
While Betts seemed to move on from the situation, many people online were upset about what they saw.
Many found the fans’ actions inappropriate and felt embarrassed for the Yankees team and its supporters.
“How embarrassing for Yankees fans! They are so desperate to win,” one person commented. Another added, “As a Yankees fan, I’m embarrassed by this.”
Others called it one of the most unsportsmanlike acts they had ever seen. “That has to be one of the funniest and most classless things I’ve ever seen in baseball,” someone noted on YouTube.
One person mentioned how serious the interference was, saying, “One fan grabbed the glove, and the other grabbed Mookie’s arm so he couldn’t defend himself. They should be banned!”
The lack of reaction from other fans in the stands was also criticized. One user asked, “Why didn’t anyone intervene? This is a disgrace to Yankee Stadium. Thankfully Betts wasn’t hurt.”
Some people were concerned about Betts’ safety. “The fan could’ve hurt the player’s wrist. It could have been serious,” one individual wrote.
Another speculated about the financial implications if Betts had been injured, saying, “They could have really hurt Mookie. That could lead to a huge lawsuit.”
“Tomorrow morning, both fans will probably get fired from their jobs for their disgraceful behavior,” commented another user, while someone else exclaimed, “Unbelievable!”
In response to the public’s reaction, the New York Yankees quickly condemned their fans’ actions, calling the interference “egregious and unacceptable.”
The team made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated and that they would reinforce fan conduct rules at Yankee Stadium.
In a statement to TMZ Sports, the Yankees confirmed that Capobianco and Peter would be banned from attending Game 5 of the World Series, which would be the last home game of the season.
They also emphasized the importance of keeping players, fans, and staff safe during games. While Yankee Stadium is known for its energetic atmosphere, the Yankees stated that fans’ excitement to support their team must not endanger the safety of players on the field.