Fans ejected for foul ball from Mookie Betts’ glove – NBC New York

Two fans who were ejected from Yankee Stadium in an egregious and bizarre incident of interference during Game 4 of the World Series will not be allowed to attend what could be the decisive game in New York on Wednesday night.

Fans in the front row of seats, along the right field foul line, could be seen trying to snatch the baseball from Mookie Betts’ glove after he jumped against the wall and caught the ball out of the air in the foul line from the bat of New York’s Gleyber Torres. One fan wearing a Yankees jersey could be seen trying to open Betts’ glove, while another wearing sunglasses grabbed the right fielder’s arm.

The ball was eventually snatched away, but Torres was immediately sent off after crowd intervention. In a statement released Wednesday, the Yankees called the behavior “gross and unacceptable physical contact” and said both fans would not be allowed to attend Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.

“Last night, two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for gross and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts,” the Yankees said in a statement. “The safety of players, fans and stadium staff is an essential element of every event held at Yankee Stadium and cannot be compromised.

“Tonight is the last home game of the year and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion to be shown on the pitch. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, but the enthusiasm for supporting your team must never exceed the point of intentionally putting players at physical risk.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches the wall during Game 4 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in New York York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) — NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches the wall during Game 4 of the 2024 World Series presented by Capital One between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 in New York York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be able to attend tonight’s match in any capacity.”

After the game, Betts was asked about the game.

“As far as the person playing, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. It doesn’t matter. Everything’s all right. Everything’s all right. We lost the game and that’s what I’m focused on. We need to turn the page and prepare for tomorrow.”

ESPN identified one of the fans as a 38-year-old season ticket holder who said in an interview that he and the fan had discussed such a scenario.

Fans disrupt a foul ball caught by Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during the first inning of Game 4 of the World Series baseball against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“We always joke about football in our neighborhood,” said a fan at the bar after the match. He reported to ESPN. “We will do nothing in our power to attack. If it’s in our area, we’ll move to “D” up.

“Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We’re ready to do it.”

A remarkable scene unfolded in the first inning when the Dodgers were leading 2-0 behind another home run by Freddie Freeman and were on the verge of winning the World Series, but The Yankees came back quickly and won 11-4.

“Following the incident, fans were escorted from Yankee Stadium and ejected,” a team spokesman said in a statement.

It was the latter case of fan involvement at the ballpark in the postseason, and the second case of Torres, who hit a fly ball into the infield at Dodger Stadium and was caught by a fan who reached through the wall. The match was decided twice.

The second match of the National League was stopped for several minutes after fans threw baseballs, empty water bottles, trash and other items onto the field.

The Dodgers have a second chance to close out the series in Game 5 on Wednesday night in New York. The victory would give the Dodgers their eighth World Series title.