New York Yankees fans who went viral for trying to knock the ball out of Dodger outfielder Mookie Betts' glove have been indefinitely banned from baseball.
The two fans, Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen, were ejected when, in Game 4, they grabbed Betts' hand after he caught a fly ball from Gleyber Torres and spread his fingers until the ball fell out of his hand. glove.
“His conduct posed a serious risk to the player's health and safety and far exceeded the line of acceptable fan behavior,” a letter from Major League Baseball, obtained by the New York Postsaying.
Based on his conduct, Major League Baseball will ban him indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices and other facilities.
It was also learned that the two men took the place of a season ticket holder who could not attend the game, according to the Post.
Capobianco said after the game that he had been prepared to make such a move for a long time and that he normally watched the Yankees in that area of the stadium.
Two Yankees fans have indefinite suspension from baseball over Mookie Betts World Series incident
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” he told ESPN. 'We are not going to go out of our way to attack. If it's in our area, we'll go up to the 'D'. Someone defends, someone hits the ball.
'We talked about it. We are willing to do this. I know when I'm wrong and as soon as I did it, I was like, “Guys, I'm out of here.” I patrol that wall and they know it.'
At the time, Betts dismissed the incident, saying in the locker room, “When it comes to the person at stake, it doesn't matter.”
We lost. It's irrelevant. I'm fine. He's fine. Everything's fine. We lost the game and that's what I'm focused on. We have to turn the page and prepare for tomorrow.
The Dodgers won Game 5 and secured a 4-1 World Series victory in New York.
Over the holidays, Betts appeared on a television show with Kevin Hart and was asked again about the incident.
'I'd really say “fuck you guys.” Like trying to catch the ball, great. But you tried to grab the shit out of me,” Betts said.
'I was in the moment. So I thought I'd throw the ball to them. And then I realized, “Mook, you're not going to do shit. Go back to right field.”
MORE TO FOLLOW