Yankees fan interference reaction from Dodgers and NY players

NEW YORK — In the end, it might go down as one of the most obscure player-fan interactions in World Series history.

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts went hurtling toward the right field wall on a foul ball by Gleyber Torres but ended up getting held up by a pair of Yankee fans, who grabbed at his glove and arm to pry the ball free.

The Yankees announced on Wednesday that Austin Capobianco and John Peter, who were ejected from the stadium following the incident would not be allowed back into the stadium for Game 5.

Before the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the situation “not good,” while a few players seemed to believe that it was an isolated incident that they would not have to be concerned about moving forward.

“There’s no place for that. It’s as simple as that,” Boone said. “Like come here, cheer, root for your team, whatever. No place for that. Should never have hands on anyone. Like just not OK.”

Added Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: “If there’s one player that I don’t think is worried would be Mookie given that he played a lot of games in this ballpark. It was just an unfortunate circumstance. I’m glad it was dealt with the right way, and we can just move on to tonight.”

After the game, Betts sought to quickly move on from the situation after the Dodgers were defeated 11-4 to force Wednesday’s Game 5. The Dodgers lead the series, 3-1, and can secure the World Series title with a victory.

“It doesn’t matter. We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine, he’s fine,” Betts said after Tuesday’s loss. “Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s kinda what I’m focused on. You gotta turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

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Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who has been on both sides of the intensity from Yankees fans, both as a member of their team and on the other side with the rival Red Sox, chalked the incident up to a passionate fan base.

Verdugo said that he “wouldn’t have any problem” if either of those two fans were back at the stadium for Game 5, but said Major League Baseball deemed it was worthy of the punishment.

“It was maybe one of the more extreme, kind of trying to rip a ball out. But at the same time, that’s kind of New York,” Verdugo said. “I feel like that’s what you expect out here. You expect some unique things.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t feel it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off too. That’s just kind of the passion, I guess, New Yorkers have.”

As for player safety, Teoscar Hernandez, who was slated to play in left field on Wednesday, called the interaction “a little crazy” but does not believe there is anything for Dodgers players to worry about moving forward.

“Yankee fans, they’re really passionate with this team. They go hard on players,” Hernandez said. “But I don’t think there’s nothing to worry about. I’ve played here for six years against the Yankees, and I never see anything go wrong with the opposite team., so I don’t think today is that case.”

Banned fans’ tickets given to Bergenfield boy

A little bit of good ended up coming out of the whole incident.

Before the game, the Yankees announced that the tickets were given to to Calvin Young, a 15-year-old battling pediatric cancer, and his family to fill those seats.

Calvin, a Bergenfield resident, had been invited to participate in a “Kids Only” press conference on Sept. 13 but became ill and weak on his way into the stadium and was unable to attend the event. During the press conference, children battling cancer were able to ask questions of Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Rizzo, Marcus Stroman and Jose Trevino.

Calvin, who was diagnosed with DSRCT sarcoma in June 2023, was admitted back to the hospital and had to have surgery. The Yankees invited him back for Wednesday’s World Series game — the family’s first time at a Yankees postseason game.