Fans banned after the great World Series ball robbery
Source: Fox World Series
Two New York baseball fans have been ejected from a World Series game and banned from another after an astonishing incident in which one pried the ball from a player’s glove.
It came after Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts leapt at the wall in foul territory and initially caught a pop-up from the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres in the first innings of a home game at New York’s Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night (local time).
One of the fans, who was in the first row, grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another neighbouring fan grabbed Betts’ non-glove hand.
“Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity. However, the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk,” the Yankees said on Wednesday.
“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behaviour displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”
The Dodgers had a two-run lead at the time on Freddie Freeman’s two-run homer. Betts reacted angrily to the play, and Torres was immediately called out on fan interference.
“When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said after the Yankees extended the series with an 11-4 victory.
“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.”
It was the second time Torres had an at-bat impacted by fan interference this World Series. With two outs in the ninth inning of Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Torres hit a fly ball to left field, and a fan reached over and caught the ball. Torres was awarded a double.
Torres later hit a three-run homer to right field for New York’s final runs.