Two New York Yankees fans have been banned from attending Game 5 of the World Series following an alarming incident during Game 4 where they forcibly removed a baseball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ glove. This event unfolded during the bottom of the first inning as Betts attempted to catch a foul ball from Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres near the right field line.
As Betts secured the ball, one fan pried open the outfielder’s glove while another pulled at his arm, causing the ball to pop loose. This egregious act led to their immediate ejection from Yankee Stadium. Despite initially believing they would be allowed to attend the next game, Major League Baseball confirmed that these fans would be banned from Game 5, a decision supported by the Yankees organization.
In an official statement, the Yankees emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for players and fans alike. “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,” the statement read. The team reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards such dangerous behavior, asserting that the exuberance of supporting one’s team should never jeopardize player safety.
The incident sparked strong reactions, with Betts expressing his anger over the event, while Torres was ruled out due to fan interference. Videos circulating on social media depicted the fans being escorted out, where they were met with high-fives from other spectators. One of the ejected fans, identified as a Yankees season-ticket holder, later remarked on their premeditated approach to catching foul balls, highlighting a misguided sense of enthusiasm.
Despite the controversy, the Yankees managed to secure a decisive victory, defeating the Dodgers 11-4 and cutting their series deficit to 3-1. Betts, however, remained focused on the game rather than the incident, stating, “We lost, it’s irrelevant. I’m fine, he’s fine, everything’s cool. We lost the game; that’s what I’m kind of focused on, turn the page.”
As the World Series continues, both teams will undoubtedly be looking to put this episode behind them and focus on the road ahead.
Source: Swifteradio,com
