NEW YORK – They won’t be permitted at Yankee Stadium, or any other Major League Baseball venue.
MLB has banned the two “fans” who grabbed Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts after making a catch along the Stadium’s right field wall during World Series Game 4.
Per MLB.com on Friday, Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen were notified by letter this week of the league’s sanctions against them.
The letter stated, in part, that the two men “interfered with play by intentionally and forcefully grabbing a player. Your conduct posed a serious risk to the health and safety of the player and went far over the line of acceptable fan behavior.
“Based on your conduct, MLB is banning you indefinitely from all MLB stadiums, offices, and other facilities. You are also hereby banned indefinitely from attending any events sponsored by or associated with MLB.’’
The league concluded that if any of the two men were discovered at any MLB property or event, they “would be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespass.’’
Leading off the Yankees’ first inning on Oct. 29, Gleyber Torres had flied out in foul territory when one fan seated near the line grabbed Betts’ glove and yanked out the baseball. His companion aggressively grabbed Betts’ right wrist. Interference was immediately called, and the two fans were ejected by Stadium security.
The Yankees would win Game 4, 11-4, but lost the World Series the following night, when a series of fifth-inning defensive breakdowns contributed to the Dodgers’ 7-6 victory.
At the time of the incident, the Yankees revoked the fans’ tickets for World Series Game 5 and put out a statement that read, in part: “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.”
