Yankees fan interference response from Dodgers and NY players

NEW YORK — It may end up being one of the darkest player-fan interactions in World Series history.

The Dodgers' Mookie Betts raced toward the right field wall after a foul by Gleyber Torres, but was eventually stopped by two Yankee fans who grabbed his glove and arm to get the ball out.

The Yankees announced Wednesday that Austin Capobianco and John Peter, who were ejected from the stadium after the incident, will not be allowed back in the stadium for Game 5.

Before the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the situation “not good,” while some players appeared to believe it was an isolated incident that they didn't have to worry about moving forward.

“There is no place for that. It’s that simple,” Boone said. “Like, come here, cheer for your team, whatever. There is no place for that. I should never lay my hands on anyone. Just not right.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added: “If there's one player I don't think is worried, it would be Mookie because he's played a lot of games in this stadium. It was just an unfortunate circumstance. I'm glad it's taken care of right, and we can just move on to tonight.

After the game, Betts tried to quickly put the situation behind him following the Dodgers' 11-4 loss to force Game 5 on Wednesday. The Dodgers lead the series 3-1 and can secure the World Series title with a win.

“It doesn't matter. We lost. It's irrelevant. I’m good, he’s good,” Betts said after Tuesday’s loss. “Everything is cool. We lost the game and that’s kind of what I’m focused on. You need to turn the page and prepare for tomorrow.”

Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who has been heavily involved with Yankees fans on both sides as a member of their team and on the other side of the rival Red Sox, reported the incident to a passionate fan base.

Verdugo said he “wouldn’t have a problem” if either of those two fans were back in the stadium for Game 5, but said Major League Baseball deemed it worthy of punishment.

“It was perhaps one of the more extreme attempts to rip a ball out. But at the same time, it’s kind of New York,” Verdugo said. “I feel like it’s what’s expected out here. You expect some unique things.”

“In the end I didn’t feel like it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off too. I guess that’s just the passion that New Yorkers have.”

As for player safety, Teoscar Hernandez, who was scheduled to play left field on Wednesday, called the interaction “a little crazy” but doesn't think there's any cause for concern for the Dodgers players moving forward.

“Yankee fans are really excited about this team. They are hard on the players,” Hernandez said. “But I don’t think there’s any reason to worry. I've played against the Yankees here for six years and have never seen anything go wrong with the opposing team. So I don’t think that’s the case today.”

“Banned fan tickets were given to boys from Bergenfield.”

In the end, some good came from the whole incident.

Before the game, the Yankees announced that tickets had been awarded to Calvin Young, a 15-year-old suffering from childhood cancer, and his family to fill those seats.

Calvin, a Bergenfield resident, was invited to attend a “Kids Only” press conference on Sept. 13, but became ill and weakened on the way to the stadium and was unable to attend the event. During the press conference, children with cancer had the opportunity to ask questions of Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Rizzo, Marcus Stroman and Jose Trevino.

Calvin, who was diagnosed with DSRCT sarcoma in June 2023, was readmitted to the hospital and required surgery. The Yankees invited him back to Wednesday's World Series game – the first time the family had attended a Yankees postseason game.

“Banned fan tickets were given to boys from Bergenfield.”

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