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World Series: Yankees fans who grabbed Mookie Betts will not be allowed to attend Game 5

Posted on by Vanessa
World Series: Yankees fans who grabbed Mookie Betts will not be allowed to attend Game 5

The New York Yankees fans who snagged Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts in Game 4 of the World Series will no longer be welcome in Game 5.

The Yankees announced that the two fans, Austin Capobianco and John Peter, have been excluded from attending Game 5 on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

“Last night, two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts.”

The safety of players, fans and stadium staff is the fundamental element of every event at Yankee Stadium and must not be compromised.

Tonight is the last home game of the year and we want the passion of our fans to shine through. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, but exuberance in supporting your team should never cross the line and intentionally put players at physical risk.

The Yankees and Major League Baseball have a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior exhibited last night. These fans will not be allowed to attend tonight’s game in any way.”

The Yankees' statement to fans came a little more than an hour after ESPN reported it MLB had asked the Yankees to exclude fans from Game 5.

Capobianco and Peter were called out for fan interference in the first inning of the Yankees' 11-4 home win. Betts hit a ball in the foul ground near the right foul pole and leaned against the wall to catch the ball. With Betts' glove floating in the air, Capobianco and Peter grabbed it and actually ripped the ball loose. It was immediately clear what had happened, so fans were called to intervene and escorted out.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Fans disrupt Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he attempts to catch a fly ball in foul territory during the first inning of game four of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees Stadium on October 29, 2024 in the Bronx, New York. The game ended with one out. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Fans disrupt Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he attempts to catch a fly ball in foul territory during the first inning of game four of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees Stadium on October 29, 2024 in the Bronx, New York. The game ended with one out. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Yankees fans who grabbed Mookie Betts' glove in the first inning of Game 4 at Yankee Stadium will not be attending Game 5. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Stadium bans typically follow incidents in which fans were disrupted, but Capobianco and Peter told ESPN's Jesse Rogers that the Yankees said they could return to their seats for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Capobianco also told Rogers that he and the fans sitting in that area like to “joke” about patrolling the area and playing defense.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco, 38, said after the game at a local bar. “We won’t bother attacking. If it’s in our area, we’ll go up ‘D’.”

“Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We are ready for this.”

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