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Yankees fans banned from Game 5 after Mookie Betts interference
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Yankees fans banned from Game 5 after Mookie Betts interference

Two Yankees fans were banned from the stadium for Game 5 of the World Series Wednesday night after aggressively interfere with Dodgers star right fielder Mookie Betts Tuesday night in the first inning of Game 4, according to a league official.

Austin Capobianco, a Yankees season ticket holder who wore a road gray Yankees jersey in the first row down the right field line, grabbed Betts’ glove as he clung to the wall, and the friend from Capobianco, John Peter, caught Betts’. right hand as Capobianco removed the ball from the glove.

They will be refunded the price of their tickets.

Yankees fans Austin Capobianco (gray jersey) and John Peter (white jersey) attempt to snatch the ball from the glove of Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024 . Getty Images
Yankees fans Austin Capobianco (gray jersey) and John Peter (white jersey) snatch the ball from the glove of Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024. Getty Images

Capobianco told ESPN Tuesday night at a bar near Yankee Stadium after he and Peter were kicked out have been prepared for a long time for such a scenario.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” the 38-year-old told ESPN. “We are not going to do everything to attack. If it’s in our area, we’ll go up to “D”.

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

Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, who hit the ball to start the bottom of the first, was called for fan interference.

Fans initially told ESPN they were told they would be allowed back for Wednesday’s Game 5, which the Yankees forced with their 11-4 victory Tuesday to avoid a World Series sweep.


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“I know when I’m wrong and as soon as I did, I was like, ‘Boys, I’m out of here,'” Capobianco told ESPN. “I patrol this wall and they know it.”

Darren, Capobianco’s brother told The Athletic that Betts insulted them.

Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) successfully catches the wall in the first inning of Game 4 of the World Series before being hampered by fans on October 29, 2024. Jason Szenes / New York Post
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) reacts after two Yankees fans snatch the ball from his glove during the first inning of Game 4 of the World Series, October 29, 2024. Jason Szenes / New York Post

“I just kind of see the ball — I don’t mean (going) to win, if that makes sense,” Darren Capobianco told The Athletic about his brother Austin’s interference on the play. And then Mookie was insulting us. Not good. »

While Betts seemed furious in the moment, he chose his words carefully after the game.

“When it comes to the person and the game, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. It’s not relevant. I’m fine, he’s fine. Everything is cool. We lost the game, that’s what I’m focusing on. Turn the page and get ready for (Wednesday.) »