The New York Yankees fan who attempted to rip a ball out of Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Mookie Betts‘ glove seemingly has no regrets — despite getting ejected from the World Series game.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” the 38-year-old Yankee season ticket holder named Austin Capobianco told ESPN on Tuesday, October 29. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up.”
Capobianco, who frequently attends games with friend John Peter, said they have discussed this scenario before.
“Someone defends, someone knocks the ball,” Capobianco explained to ESPN. “We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”
During game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a shot into right field. As Dodgers outfielder Betts, 32, caught the ball, his glove was pried open by Capobianco to try to stop the out. After the right field umpire called Torres, 27, out and ruled fan interference on the play, Capobianco and Peter were both ejected from the stands. (Torres later hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning.)
“Well, A for effort.”
Fan interference was called on this play where a Yankee fan tried to take the ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove after an out. pic.twitter.com/iZ6taImncd
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 30, 2024
“I know when I’m in the wrong and as soon as I did it, I was like, ‘Boys I’m out of here,’” Capobianco said. “I patrol that wall, and they know that.”
He and Peter will, however, be back at their post in the outfield for game 5 on Wednesday, October 30.
Fans interfere with Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he attempts to catch a fly ball in foul territory during the first inning of Game Four of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images
The Yankees started off Tuesday’s matchup coming off a three-game loss against the Dodgers in the World Series. While Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homerun to start the game, the Yankees were able to recover and take their first series win with a score of 11-4. (Shout-out to Anthony Volpe for his grand slam in the third inning, which seemingly turned things around for the Bronx Bombers.)
After the game, reporters talked with Betts in the clubhouse about the incident with the fan. The MLB star appeared to say unbothered.
Fans interfere with Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he attempts to catch a fly ball in foul territory during the first inning of Game Four of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images
“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 said that, initially, he “didn’t even know” that Capobianco grabbed his hand. He told reporters multiple times that things were “fine” with him physically following the incident.
“We had a bad game, that’s part of it,” Betts continued. “So we have to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”
