Yankees Fans Who Pulled Baseball from Mookie Betts’ Hand During World Series Banned from All MLB Games

The two New York Yankees fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the 2024 World Series have been banned from attending MLB games and visiting all MLB facilities indefinitely.

Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen received a letter from Major League Baseball earlier this week to notify them of their lifetime ban, which was first reported by the New York Post.

“On October 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, you interfered with play by intentionally and forcefully grabbing a player,” the letter reads, per MLB.com. “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, Major League Baseball (‘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 letter continues. “Please be advised that if you are discovered at any MLB property or event, you will be removed from the premises and subject to arrest for trespass.”

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During the Oct. 29 game, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a deep foul ball to right field. Betts, 32, ran to try to catch the ball, but Capobianco and Hansen reached over the fence to stop him from making the play. One of them appeared to be trying to pull the ball out of Betts’ glove, while the other grabbed Betts’ bare right hand.

They were both ejected from the game and had their Game 5 tickets revoked.

The Yankees called Capobianco and Hansen’s actions “egregious and unacceptable physical contact” with Betts in a statement after the game.

“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,” the team said.

Capobianco and Hansen were sitting in seats held by a longtime Yankees season-ticket holder, who could not attend the game. The season-ticket holder will keep their tickets, per MLB.com.

Although the Yankees won Game 4 of the World Series, the Dodgers won Game 5 the next night to earn the franchise’s eighth championship title.