NEW YORK (AP) — Following an incident during Game 4 of the World Series, two fans of the New York Yankees, who were ejected for interfering with Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, have been banned from attending Game 5 on Wednesday night.
During the first inning of the game, Betts executed a leap at the retaining wall in foul territory to catch a pop fly hit by Gleyber Torres. However, a fan seated in the front row wearing a gray Yankees jersey grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands, yanking the ball out, while another fan grabbed Betts’ bare hand.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone condemned the fans’ actions, stating, “Not good. There’s no place for that. It’s as simple as that. Come here, cheer, root for your team, whatever. No place for that. Should never have hands on anyone.”
The Yankees organization described the behavior as “egregious and unacceptable.” Both fans involved in the incident are season-ticket holders. In response, the team has donated their Game 5 tickets to a child with an illness and his family, who were unable to attend a previous kids-only press event at the ballpark in September to commemorate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“Yankee Stadium is famous for its energy and intensity; however, supporting one’s team should never cross the line into putting players at physical risk,” the team stated. “The Yankees and Major League Baseball have a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding the kind of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be allowed to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”
Concerns regarding player safety and security have also been raised by the Major League Baseball Players Association. In a statement, they noted, “As with every incident at the ballpark that affects players, we have been in regular contact with league security officials since last night’s event and will be closely monitoring the response and protective measures moving forward, beginning tonight.”
Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández shared confidence that there would be no further incidents during Game 5. “I’ve played here for six years against the Yankees and I’ve never seen anything go wrong with the opposing team,” he remarked. Hernández acknowledged the unusual nature of the incident, saying, “Fans know they cannot do what that fan did last night. It’s unfortunate for him; he’ll be thinking about that play for a long time.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Betts expressed his frustration at first, but calmed down when Torres was called out by umpires for fan interference. After the Yankees secured an 11-4 victory that extended the series, Betts said, “When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s what I’m focused on. We’ve got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”
This incident wasn’t the first time Torres had his at-bat influenced by fan interference during this World Series. In Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, a fan reached over and caught one of his fly balls, which allowed Torres to be awarded a double.
Torres also had a successful night at the plate, hitting a three-run homer in the eighth inning of Game 4.
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This article clarifies that Torres’ homer did not provide the final runs of the night for the Yankees.
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