The two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night say they were carrying out a strategy that they had discussed ahead of time.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were leading the Yankees 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning at Yankee Stadium when leadoff hitter Gleyber Torres lifted a ball down the right field line that went into foul territory. Mookie Betts made the catch but had the ball ripped out of his glove by a Yankees fan. The umpire called fan interference, and two fans were ejected from the game. You can see the video here.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers tracked down the two fans, Austin Capobianco and John Peter. Capobianco, a Yankees season-ticket holder, said he knew he might get in trouble for grabbing Betts’ glove but that he and Peter were executing a plan they had previously discussed.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco said. “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.”
Capobianco said he knew he was going to be ejected but was willing to make the sacrifice. He said the Yankees told him and Peter they will be allowed back for Game 5.
“I know when I’m in the wrong and as soon as I did it, I was like, ‘Boys I’m out of here,’” Capobianco said. “I patrol that wall and they know that.”
The Yankees needed a win to avoid a sweep against the Dodgers. They hit a grand slam a few innings after the interference incident and cruised to an easy victory to keep their season alive.
Should another fly ball come near Capobianco and Peter, it sounds like they have every intention of trying to help produce a favorable outcome for the Yankees.