Yankees fans who ripped ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove will be banned from Game 5 of World Series
Two New York Yankees fans were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series after ripping the ball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ glove. Ashley Landis/AP CNN —
The two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series after ripping the ball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ glove will be banned from Yankee Stadium for Wednesday’s Game 5.
Midway through the bottom of the first inning, Betts ran towards 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, one of the fans in the front row pried open the outfielder’s glove as the ball popped loose while the other grabbed the Dodgers star’s other hand.
According to ESPN, the fans had been under the impression that they would be allowed to attend Wednesday’s Game 5. However, an MLB source told CNN that the league has spoken with the Yankees to let the club know those two fans will be banned from Wednesday’s game. The Yankees, the MLB source said, are in agreement.
“Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised,” a statement from the Yankees said.
“Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.
“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”
Betts reacted angrily to the incident and Torres was ruled out by the umpire via fan interference.
“A for effort,” Joe Davis on the Fox commentary team said. Former eight-time All-Star pitcher and color commentator John Smoltz added: “Well, he won’t be watching the game much longer.”
Videos on social media afterwards showed the two fans being escorted out of Yankee Stadium by security as they exchanged high-fives with fellow New York fans on their way out. One fan told The Athletic reporter Rustin Dodd that the fan was a “hero … it’s a championship game.”
The fan who ripped the ball out of Betts’ glove was reportedly identified by ESPN as a Yankees season-ticket holder, who was in attendance at the game with his friend.
According to ESPN, the pair had discussed before what they would do if a foul ball came their way.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” the identified fan said at a local bar after the game, per 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. We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”
The New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe hits a grand slam in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday, October 29. The third-inning home run gave the Yankees a 5-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. They would go on to win 11-4 and cut the Dodgers’ series lead to 3-1. Elsa/Getty Images
Fans celebrate after the Yankees won Game 4. Mike Lawrence/MLB/Getty Images
Dodgers pitcher Brent Honeywell screams into his glove after giving up a three-run homer to Gleyber Torres in the eighth inning Tuesday. Elsa/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Volpe slides into home plate, scoring a run in the eighth inning. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo catches a foul ball during the fourth inning Tuesday. Seth Wenig/AP
Volpe steals second base in the second inning on Tuesday. Luke Hales/Getty Images
A pair of Yankees fans were ejected from Game 4 after one of them grabbed Mookie Betts’ glove and another grabbed his arm as the Dodgers right fielder tried to catch a foul ball in the first inning Tuesday. Al Bello/Getty Images
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates his two-run home run in the first inning of Game 4. He has homered in all four games of this World Series. Ashley Landis/AP
The Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton is tagged out at home by Dodgers catcher Will Smith during Game 3 of the World Series on Monday. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 4-2 to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Frank Franklin II/AP
Freeman celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning on Monday. Daniel Shirey/MLB/Getty Images
Freeman watches his home run in the first inning of Game 3. Frank Franklin II/AP
Stanton runs onto the field before Game 3. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Players line up for the National Anthem before Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Fans are seen outside Yankee Stadium prior to Game 3. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Smith, left, and Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia celebrate their 4-2 win in Game 2 on Saturday. Harry How/Getty Images
Stanton sits in the dugout during the eighth inning of Game 2. Harry How/Getty Images
Dodgers pitcher Michael Kopech shushes the Yankees dugout during the eighth inning of Game 2. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Fans cheer as Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto leaves the game during the seventh inning of Game 2. Yamamoto was nothing short of dominant, striking out four batters while only giving up one hit in 6 1/3 innings. Julio Cortez/AP
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani dislocated his shoulder while trying to steal a base in Game 2. He would return to start Game 3. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Freeman celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of Game 2. The run put the Dodgers up 4-1. Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Yankees outfielder Juan Soto hits a solo home run in the third inning of Game 2. Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Dodgers fans celebrate a home run hit by Tommy Edman in the second inning of Game 2. Rob Tringali/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Yamamoto pitches in the first inning of Game 2. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Rapper Ice Cube performs before Game 2. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón warms up before Game 2. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Freeman celebrates after hitting a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning of Game 1 on Friday. The dramatic home run gave the Dodgers a 6-3 win. It was a moment that echoed one of the most famous swings in baseball history — Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series at the same ballpark. The parallels were uncanny: Freeman, like Gibson, is hobbled by a leg injury that has nagged him throughout the playoffs, and the ball landed in the exact same grandstand that Gibson’s home run landed 36 years ago. Harry How/Getty Images
Freeman celebrates with teammates after his walk-off grand slam. Steph Chambers/Getty Images
The Yankees’ Nestor Cortes leaves the field after giving up the walk-off grand slam to Freeman. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Alex Verdugo of the Yankees dives to catch a foul hit by the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani in the tenth inning of Game 1. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. steals second base during the 10th inning of Game 1. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Yankees captain Aaron Judge, right, and teammates take the field during the eighth inning of Game 1. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol reacts after striking out Stanton in the seventh inning of Game 1. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Ohtani is forced out by during the sixth inning of Game 1. Ashley Landis/AP
Stanton, left, and Solo celebrate Stanton’s two-run homer that put the Yankees up 2-1 in the sixth inning of Game 1. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Dodgers outfielder Enrique Hernández slides safely into home to score the series’ first run in the fifth inning of Game 1. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Smith. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Fans cheer at Dodger Stadium. These two teams last met in the World Series in 1981, which was won by the Dodgers. Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Freeman breaks his bat as he grounds out in the fourth inning of Game 1. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty throws a pitch in the second inning of Game 1. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Judge takes the field ahead of Game 1. Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Fans sing along with a mariachi band that was playing during a tribute to Fernando Valenzuela before Game 1. Valenzuela, the legendary pitcher whose incredible rise to stardom with Dodgers captivated baseball fans and created the cultural phenomenon known as “Fernandomania,” died October 22 at the age of 63. Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Country artist Brad Paisley sings the National Anthem before Game 1. Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos/Getty Images
Fireworks are set off during the National Anthem. Harry How/Getty Images
Fans take a photo inside Dodger Stadium ahead of Game 1. Alex Slitz/Getty Images The best photos from the 2024 World Series Prev Next
The Yankees would go onto beat the Dodgers 11-4, staving off elimination with the series 3-1 in LA’s favor. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the Fall Classic.
“It doesn’t matter,” Betts said when asked about the incident afterwards. “We lost, it’s irrelevant. I’m fine, he’s fine, everything’s cool. We lost the game, that’s what I’m kind of focused on, turn the page. Everything’s fine.”
Betts’ teammate Tommy Edman called the incident “unacceptable.”
“Yeah, that looked ridiculous from my perspective,” the Dodgers shortstop said. “The guy was trying to yank his glove off, pulling at his wrist. … It looked like he got ejected, and I’m glad he did. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
It’s not the first time this World Series that Torres has had a ball affected by fan interference.
In Game 1, the Venezuelan was awarded a double after he hit a ball towards left field at Dodger Stadium and a fan reached over the wall and caught it.
This story has been updated with additional developments.