Yankees’ Alex Verdugo Defends Fans for Grabbing Dodgers’ Mookie Betts

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox for Mookie Betts in 2020, defended the fans who interfered with Betts in Tuesday’s Game 4 of the World Series.

In the bottom of the first inning of Tuesday’s game, two fans grabbed Betts’ arm and glove as he attempted to catch a foul ball. The fans tried to rip the ball out of his hands, and ended up successfully doing it. However, the play was called out, and the fans were then escorted out of the stadium.

After the game, Betts was ready to move on from the incident.

“When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said. “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.”

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The Yankees were initially expected to allow the fans back into the stadium for Game 5, but MLB then reportedly asked them to ban the fans. The Yankees agreed.

While the fans being banned for Game 5 felt like a fair punishment, Verdugo doesn’t exactly agree.

Verdugo was asked about the incident before Game 5, and said he “didn’t feel it was too serious.”

“I saw it. It was maybe one of the more extreme, kind of trying to rip a ball out. But at the same time, that’s kind of New York. I feel like that’s what you expect out here. You expect some unique things,” Verdugo said.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t feel it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off too. That’s just kind of the passion, I guess, New Yorkers have.”

Verdugo was also asked if he felt the fans being banned from Game 5 was fair.

“I don’t know. It is what it is, right?” Verdugo said. “I wouldn’t have any problem if they were here today or if they weren’t. At the end of the day, that’s what MLB deemed they wanted to do, and they’ve got to show some type of, I guess, disciplinary act. So it is what it is.”

In a conversation with ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, one of the fans — Austin Capobianco — said he and his friend always planned to do something like this.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco said to Rogers. “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.”

Here is the full statement from the Yankees on Wednesday morning:

“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.”

First pitch for Wednesday night’s Game 5 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. PT/8:08 p.m. ET.

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