The New York Yankees have chastised two of their fans for intercepting Mookie Betts’ catch during the World Series — a moment which Betts recently spoke about.
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts darted across the Yankee Stadium field to catch a ball that had been hit by New York Yankees player Gleyber Torres during Game 4 of the World Series on October 29.
Mookie Betts during the match between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series in New York City on October 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Gunning for Torres’ ball, Betts made a sharp dash toward the wall in foul territory after the Yankees player had just sent a high pop-up arching toward the stands.
Mookie Betts making a dash for the ball during Game 4 of the World Series, posted on October 30, 2024 | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
With impressive speed and precision, Betts leaped at the wall, with his gloved hand perfectly positioned for what looked like a routine out. Yet, in that split second, two hands reached down from the first row, disrupting the play and sparking an eruption of controversy.
Mookie Betts experiencing fan interference. | Source: Getty Images
Video footage that went viral on platforms like YouTube shows Betts reaching high above the low barrier separating him from the crowd. Just as the ball nestled into his glove, a Yankees fan in a jersey — later identified as Austin Capobianco — latched onto Betts’ glove with both hands.
Austin Capobianco and Mookie Betts. | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
With a defiant grin, Capobianco yanked Betts’ glove, loosening the baseball player’s grip on the ball. Almost simultaneously, Capobianco’s friend, John Peter, reached down and clasped Betts’ free hand, completing the interference.
Mookie Betts, Austin Capobianco, and John Peter. | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
Betts’ reaction was immediate and unmistakable. His expression, which was a blend of frustration and disbelief, told the story of an athlete robbed of a moment that had seemed securely within his grasp.
Mookie Betts | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
Right-field umpire Mark Carlson was quick to make a call, ruling Torres out due to fan interference. Security also responded swiftly, escorting Capobianco and Peter from the stadium.
Right-field umpire Mark Carlson making the ruling and security personnel dealing with the matter. | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
Speaking to ESPN after the incident, Capobianco unabashedly defended his actions. As a Yankees season-ticket holder, he admitted that he and Peter had often joked about scenarios where they’d help their team if a foul ball drifted into their section.
Austin Capobianco and John Peter. | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
“We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up,” explained Capobianco, who went to a nearby bar after the game. He painted the moment as a commitment to seizing every opportunity to tilt the game in favor of the Yankees — even if it meant prying the ball from the hands of an opposing player.
Mookie Betts, Austin Capobianco, and John Peter. | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
Betts, though visibly upset in the moment, later brushed off the incident when asked about it during a press conference. Reporters probed him for his perspective on the fan interaction, eager to capture his reaction to a moment that had already sparked outrage across social media.
Mookie Betts addressing the fan interception in a press conference, posted on October 30, 2024 | Source: YouTube/The Dodgers Bleed Los Podcast
When a journalist asked, “What happened with that fan?” the Dodgers star replied, “It’s irrelevant. We lost, it doesn’t matter.” His focus remained resolutely on his team’s loss rather than the bizarre disruption that unfolded in the stands.
Mookie Betts | Source: YouTube/The Dodgers Bleed Los Podcast
A follow-up question tried to pull him back to the physicality of the incident, as a journalist expressed concern about Betts’ hand due to how his wrist appeared to have bent awkwardly when the fans grabbed him.
Austin Capobianco, Mookie Betts, and John Peter. | Source: Getty Images
“I didn’t even know he grabbed my hand, so it’s perfectly fine,” assured Betts. As more questions came, his response remained unchanged.
“When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter. 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,” stated Betts.
Mookie Betts during batting practice ahead of Game 4 of the World Series in New York City on October 29, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
He was also asked if he had ever encountered an interaction like that before, to which Betts confirmed he hadn’t before dubbing the matter as “irrelevant” once again.
Instead of dwelling on the incident, Betts redirected attention to the Dodgers’ struggles on the field, acknowledging, “Obviously we didn’t play well today, and they did, and that’s why they won.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers after losing to the New York Yankees. | Source: Getty Images
Although Mookie Betts appeared to be over the situation, social media users were far from calm about what they witnessed.
Not only did many find the actions of the two Yankees fans to be inappropriate, but they also dubbed the moment deeply embarrassing for the New York team and its fanbase.
“How embarrassing for the Yankees fans [sic] That’s how desperate they’re trying to win,” remarked an observer. Echoing this sentiment, another added, “I’m a yankees fan and the way I’m so embarrassed by this [sic]😭👋🏻👋🏻.”
Others were quick to condemn the act as one of the most unsportsmanlike displays they’d seen. “Has to be one of the funniest and most classless things Ive [sic] ever seen in baseball,” noted someone on YouTube.
Another highlighted the severity of the interference, “One grabbing the glove, the other grabbing Mookie’s other arm so he can’t defend himself. Bans for both!”
Mookie Betts, Austin Capobianco, and John Peter. | Source: Getty Images
The lack of intervention from other spectators in the stands was also a sore point for some, with one user questioning, “There is absolutely nothing funny about this. Why didn’t anyone on the stands intervene? What a disgrace to Yankee Stadium & fans. Thankfully Betts was not hurt 🙏💙🤍.”
Some also voiced their concerns about Betts’ safety and physical well-being. “The fan could’ve broken the player’s wrist by doing that. In mid air against a right angle surface with body in motion, come on bruh [sic],” wrote one individual.
Another speculated about the possible financial ramifications if Betts had been injured, “That is messed up, the two could have really hurt Mookie’s hand and wrist there. Multi-Million [sic] dollar injury lawsuit right there.”
Mookie Betts in the middle of fan interception. | Source: YouTube/FOX Sports
“Tomorrow morning both fans [sic] fired from their jobs due to disgrace and embarrassment to the company,” opined an online viewer, while someone else simply exclaimed, “Unbelievable! 🤦🏻♂️.”
In response to the incident that left the public unsettled, the New York Yankees swiftly condemned the actions of their own supporters, joining many in labeling the interference as “egregious and unacceptable.”
Making it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated, the team took immediate steps to reinforce the boundaries of fan conduct at Yankee Stadium.
In a statement provided to TMZ Sports, the Yankees confirmed that the two fans involved in the disruption with Betts would be barred from entering the stadium for Game 5 of the World Series, which is the final home game of the year.
They also emphasized the importance of the safety of players, spectators, and staffers at every game as something that can’t be compromised.
While Yankee Stadium is famously known for its spirited and passionate atmosphere, the Yankees made it clear that their fans’ “exuberance of supporting one’s team” must never endanger the physical well-being of any player on the field.
