Yankees ban fans who ripped ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove, give World Series tickets to pediatric cancer patient

CNN
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The two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series after ripping the ball from Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ glove will be banned from Yankee Stadium for Wednesday’s Game 5.

The seats left vacated by the banned fans were given to a New Jersey pediatric cancer patient and his family, the Yankees told CNN.

Calvin, a 15-year-old diagnosed with DSRCT Sarcoma in June 2023, was set to attend a “Kids Only” Press Conference with select Yankees players in September. But Calvin fell ill on his way to the ballpark and wound up in the hospital where he would undergo a surgery, according to the Yankees.

The Yankees contacted the family Wednesday and Calvin, his mother and his two younger brothers were gifted tickets to their first ever playoff game at Yankee Stadium.

The incident that sparked the series of events occurred in the first inning of Game 4 on Tuesday. Betts ran towards the right field line and the corner wall in an attempt to catch a foul ball from Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres. After Betts appeared to catch the ball, one of the fans in the front row pried open the outfielder’s glove as the ball popped loose while the other grabbed the Dodgers star’s other hand.

According to ESPN, the fans had been under the impression that they would be allowed to attend Wednesday’s Game 5. However, an MLB source told CNN that the league has spoken with the Yankees to let the club know those two fans will be banned from Wednesday’s game. The Yankees, the MLB source said, are in agreement.

“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,” a statement from the Yankees said.

“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.”

Betts reacted angrily to the incident and Torres was ruled out by the umpire via fan interference.

“A for effort,” Joe Davis on the Fox commentary team said. Former eight-time All-Star pitcher and color commentator John Smoltz added: “Well, he won’t be watching the game much longer.”

Videos on social media afterwards showed the two fans being escorted out of Yankee Stadium by security as they exchanged high-fives with fellow New York fans on their way out. One fan told The Athletic reporter Rustin Dodd that the fan was a “hero … it’s a championship game.”

The fan who ripped the ball out of Betts’ glove was reportedly identified by ESPN as a Yankees season-ticket holder, who was in attendance at the game with his friend.

According to ESPN, the pair had discussed before what they would do if a foul ball came their way.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” the identified fan said at a local bar after the game, per ESPN. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”

The Yankees would go onto beat the Dodgers 11-4, staving off elimination with the series 3-1 in LA’s favor. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the Fall Classic.

“It doesn’t matter,” Betts said when asked about the incident afterwards. “We lost, it’s irrelevant. I’m fine, he’s fine, everything’s cool. We lost the game, that’s what I’m kind of focused on, turn the page. Everything’s fine.”

Betts’ teammate Tommy Edman called the incident “unacceptable.”

“Yeah, that looked ridiculous from my perspective,” the Dodgers shortstop said. “The guy was trying to yank his glove off, pulling at his wrist. … It looked like he got ejected, and I’m glad he did. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

It’s not the first time this World Series that Torres has had a ball affected by fan interference.

In Game 1, the Venezuelan was awarded a double after he hit a ball towards left field at Dodger Stadium and a fan reached over the wall and caught it.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNN’s Omar Jimenez contributed to this report.