Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts played down the fan interference against him in Los Angeles’ 11-4 loss to New York in Tuesday’s Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
In the bottom of the first inning, one fan grabbed Betts’ throwing hand and wrist on a foul ball hit by the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres while another grabbed his glove and pried the ball loose. The ball dropped to the field and the umpire ruled Torres out due to fan interference.
After the game, Betts was more focused on ending the series in five games than on the first-inning incident.
“It doesn’t matter, we lost, it’s irrelevant. I’m fine. [The fan] is fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game, and that’s what I’m focused on. We gotta turn the page and get ready,” Betts said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The two fans involved remain unapologetic. While they were ejected, they told ESPN after the game that they would be allowed back into Yankee Stadium for Game 5.
“We always joke about the ball in our area. 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,” Austin Capobianco, the fan who pried open Betts’ glove, told ESPN. His friend, John Peter, grabbed Betts’ other hand.
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball and the Yankees released a statement saying the two fans would not be permitted at the game.
“Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts,” the statement said. “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.
“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.”
If the Dodgers win Game 5 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium, they’ll have a victory parade in Los Angeles for the first time since 1988. Their most recent title in 2020 came at the end of a 60-game season with no parade due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It would be the Dodgers’ fourth World Series triumph against the Yankees.
If the Yankees become the only World Series team to recover from a 3-0 deficit to win the title, it would mark their ninth triumph over the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, dating back to 1941.
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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