Two New York Yankees fans, who spent significant money to secure premium seats along the right field line, found themselves ejected from Yankee Stadium just minutes into Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The incident took place during what should have been a routine foul catch by Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, but it quickly escalated into an embarrassing episode for the Yankees faithful.
As Gleyber Torres hit a fly ball down the right field line, Betts rushed over and made a leaping catch in foul territory. However, before Betts could settle back into the game, two overzealous Yankees fans reached over the railing in an attempt to interfere.
One fan tried to pry the ball from Betts’ hand, while the other even attempted to pull off his glove entirely.
The unsportsmanlike behavior was caught on camera, and security wasted no time in escorting the fans out of the stadium.
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Following the game, Betts was asked about the incident during a post-game interview, but the star outfielder remained composed and focused on the team’s performance rather than the fans’ actions. “When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game, and that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.” Betts’ remarks highlighted his professionalism and his determination to focus on what truly mattered—his team’s efforts to win the World Series.
The fan involved in the incident was later identified as Austin Capobianco, a Yankees supporter who seemed to relish the attention following the game.
ESPN writer Jesse Rogers shared a post on social media that included a picture of Capobianco, describing how the fan had been approached by others for photos and autographs while at a local bar. “Meet Austin Capobianco (middle), the fan that interfered with Mookie. I was talking to him at a local bar when a bunch of other fans asked him to take a pic with him and for his autograph. He was a beaut. Story up soon at ESPN: ‘If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up,'” Rogers wrote.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” said Capobianco, 38, who was the one who pried the ball out of Betts’s glove. “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.”
The incident, while certainly frustrating for Dodgers fans and Betts himself, seems to have taken on a life of its own in the Bronx. Capobianco and his companion, despite being ejected, have already become the subject of social media chatter, with some Yankees fans playfully embracing their antics as part of the team’s lore.
Whether they are remembered as notorious troublemakers or as passionate fans who took things a step too far, their actions have certainly left a mark on this year’s World Series.
As for the game itself, the Yankees managed to avoid a sweep, winning Game 4 by a convincing margin of 11-4.
However, the Dodgers still hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, and the Yankees face a tough challenge as they prepare for Game 5, which will take place tonight. With their backs against the wall, the Yankees will need to bring their best effort to keep their championship hopes alive and force a Game 6.
While the actions of a couple of fans briefly stole the spotlight, the focus now shifts back to the baseball field, where the Yankees must find a way to overcome the odds against a strong Dodgers team.
The players, like Betts, are determined to keep their attention on the task at hand, and tonight’s game will be crucial in deciding whether the Yankees’ season continues or comes to an end.
