Major League Baseball has banned two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during a World Series game at Yankee Stadium from attending games at Major League ballparks.
MLB sent a letter to Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen this week informing them of the decision.
“On October 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, you disrupted play by intentionally and violently grabbing a player. Your conduct posed a serious risk to the player’s health and safety and went far beyond the line of acceptable fan behavior,” said the letter, the contents of which were first reported by the New York Post and later obtained by the Associated Press .
“Based on your conduct, Major League Baseball is indefinitely banning you from all MLB stadiums, offices and other facilities,” the letter said. “You are also hereby indefinitely banned from attending events sponsored by or associated with MLB. Please note that if you are discovered at an MLB property or event, you will be removed from the premises and arrested for trespassing.”
The fans were ejected from the game on October 29 and banned from Game 5 the following evening.
Betts jumped to the retaining wall in foul territory and caught Gleyber Torres’ pop fly in the first inning, but a front row fan wearing a gray Yankees road jersey grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another fan grabbed Betts’ bare hand.
The Yankees called the behavior “egregious and unacceptable.” The team said Friday that the two MLB fans were not season ticket holders.