Yankees fan banned from next World Series game in Mookie Betts incident

The Yankees fan who held onto Dodgers star Mookie Betts' glove in an attempt to snatch the baseball from his hand will not be allowed to return for Game 5.

The Yankees released an official statement on Wednesday, October 30, following the incident between Betts, 32, and the fan identified by ESPN as Austin Capobianco. His friend John Peter also grabbed Betts' ungloved hand during the play.

“The Yankees and Major League Baseball have a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior exhibited last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any way,” the Yankees said, adding that “the safety of the players is ensured.” “Fans and stadium staff are the fundamental element of any event at Yankee Stadium and must not be put at risk become.”

Capobianco, 38, spoke to ESPN at a local bar after his and Peter's ejection from Yankee Stadium, telling the network that he had no regrets about interfering in the World Series and that he and Peter were “always about it.” “joke hypothetical situations” about what they would do when the ball approached their “area” of the stadium.

“We won’t bother attacking. If it's in our area, we're going to go up 'D,'” Capobianco said. “Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We are ready for this.”

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Still, Capobianco knew his actions would result in his expulsion. “I know when I'm in the wrong, and as soon as I did, I was like, 'Guys, I'm out of here,'” Capobianco said, according to ESPN. “I patrol the wall and they know it.”

The incident occurred in the bottom of the first inning when Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a deep foul ball into right field. Betts – who later called the moment “irrelevant” to Los Angeles' Game 4 loss – ran to the wall and jumped to catch the ball.

However, Capobianco interfered, grabbed the right fielder's glove and attempted to remove the ball. Peter then appeared to grab Betts' wrist as the Dodgers star appeared angry at her behavior.

Betts told ESPN, “When it comes to the person in the game, it doesn't matter” after the Dodgers' 11-4 loss in New York. “We lost. That is irrelevant. I'm doing well. He's fine. Everything is cool. We lost the game and that’s kind of what I’m focused on. We have to turn the tide and prepare for tomorrow.”

Game 4 on Tuesday was the Yankees' last chance to keep the World Series going. The Dodgers won the first three games of the series, including Game 1 on a dramatic walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman.

The first pitch in Game 5 of the World Series will be thrown on Wednesday, October 30 at 8:08 p.m. ET.