Fans who interfered with Dodgers' Mookie Betts are banned for World Series Game 5 by Yankees

A pair of Yankees fans who aggressively interfered with Dodgers rightfielder Mookie Betts during Tuesday night’s Game 4 of the World Series have been banned from returning to Yankee Stadium for Wednesday night’s Game 5, the team announced.

"Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts," the Yankees said in a statement on Wednesday. "The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised.

"Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.

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

The decision to ban the fans for Game 5 was made by the Yankees, according to a baseball source, who added that Major League Baseball agreed with the call.

This is insane.

Mookie Betts goes into the stands to catch a ball and a fan grabbed his glove and ripped the ball out.

He was just kicked out of the stadium after a half an inning.

pic.twitter.com/FkfEeJbBgG

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 30, 2024

The fans were identified in an ESPN.com report as Austin Capobianco, 38, of Branford, Connecticut, and his friend John Peter.

Capobianco is a Yankees season-ticket holder, according to ESPN.com.

The fans interfered with Betts when he was attempting to catch a foul ball against the side wall in rightfield. Betts caught it as multiple fans reached out to try and catch it themselves.

Capobianco, who was wearing a gray road Yankees jersey, grabbed hold of Betts’ glove – with the ball still in it – and refused to let go. Capobianco then tried to pry open Betts’ glove.

Peter, who was wearing a pinstriped Yankees home jersey, reached over and grabbed Betts’ right hand as Capobianco ripped the ball out of Betts’ glove.

Both fans then let go. Rightfield umpire Mark Carlson immediately called out the Yankees batter, Gleyber Torres, for fan interference.

Capobianco, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday, told ESPN.com he and Peter considered themselves defenders of the wall so they can help the Yankees.

"We always joke about the ball in our area," Capobianco told ESPN.com. "We're not going to go out of our way to attack. If it's in our area, we're going to 'D' up. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We're willing to do this."

Betts, a former Red Sox outfielder, had little to say about the incident after the game other than that he apparently thought only one fan grabbed him.

“It’s irrelevant,” he said. “We lost. I didn’t even know he grabbed my hand. When it comes to the person involved, it doesn’t matter. We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He’s fine. It’s cool. We lost the game. That’s what I’m kind of focused on. We’ve got to turn the page and be ready for tomorrow.”