Yankees say fans thrown out for interference will not be allowed back for World Series Game 5
NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees say the fans who were ejected for interference during Game 4 of the World Series are not allowed back for Game 5 on Wednesday night.
The Yankees said in a statement the fans "will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any capacity."
"Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts.
"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.
"Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans' passion on display. 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 and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any capacity."
The Yankees later announced that the ejected fans' tickets for Game 5 were to be redistributed to a pediatric cancer patient and his family.
Here's what happened in Game 4
In the first inning of Tuesday's game, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a foul ball down the right field line well in front of the foul pole. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts reached over the wall and made the catch, but a fan sitting in the first row, wearing a Yankees' road jersey, grabbed Betts' gloved with two hands and ripped the ball out, while a second fan grabbed his non-glove hand.
Torres was called out on fan interference, and video of the incident quickly went viral on social media. The Yankees said two fans were escorted out of the stadium and ejected.
"When it comes to the person in play, it doesn't matter," Betts told reporters after the game. "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."
That wasn't Torres' first at-bat impacted by fan interference this series. With two outs in the ninth inning of Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, he hit a fly ball to left field, and a fan reached over the wall and caught it. Fan interference was called and Torres was rewarded a double.
Former Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski says he knows one of the fans
Rob Gronkowski, a former All-Pro NFL tight end who won four Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, said on the "Up & Adams" show on FanDuel TV on Wednesday he knows one of the fans from their days together at the University of Arizona.
"That guy right there grabbing Mookie Betts' glove was my friend in college. He was on the ice hockey team, the club Arizona Wildcats ice hockey team, and let me tell you the whole hockey team was absolute maniacs. It was indescribable just how wild these guys ... animals," Gronkowski said. "Him doing that represents him very well. I mean, he is all in for his teams. He is all in for the Yankees. I remember him talking about the Yankees all the time, about how he loves them so much, and that describes him perfectly, just doing whatever it takes to help his team out.
"He is a beauty. He is a beauty. And I just want to say congratulations for shining when your moment came," Gronkowski added with a laugh.
Gronkowski, who has always been known for his sense of humor, went on to clarify his remarks by saying, "I'm not saying that's OK. I haven't talked to him in a while. That whole group, they were maniacs. They were fun, that's for sure. He's a fun dude. It is unacceptable in the world of sports, but when you are that big of a fan, that's what fans do whenever they have an opportunity to do it."
Gronkowski said he read a report that featured an interview with his friend that might explain his motivation for doing what he did.
"What would they do if that situation occurred and he said they would do it, and that's what they would do, stand up and protect the [defense]," Gronkowski said.
Baseball fans sound off on the Betts interference play
On Wednesday, Yankees fans seemed to support an effort that was at the very least impolite and at most, reckless.
"Honestly, I thought that was really funny," one fan said, but added when asked if they would do the same, "No, because those tickets are expensive."
On the secondary market those seats were $1,500 apiece. The fans who interfered with Betts didn't even see one inning of play.
"Any New Yorker would do that because we're New York and we're down 3-0 in the series," one fan said.
"It's a New York thing to see, but it's not correct," another said.
Though the two fans in question lost their seats, they gained a story of a lifetime -- a story that proves even in the World Series audacity can still make history.
"That's not how Yankees fans truly are. Most are respectful of players," another said.
"I couldn't believe it. It's the most embarrassing, dumbest thing I've ever seen, and I wonder if they're gonna bring him up on assault charges because he assaulted Mookie," another fan added.
The Yankees are hoping to keep their championship dreams alive and send the series back to Los Angeles for Games 6 and 7. They're down 3-1 heading into Game 5, but are coming off a big 11-4 win at home, thanks in big part to Anthony Volpe's grand slam.
Game 5 starts at 8:08 p.m. Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. See the full schedule and what to know about getting there.
