Translation
'Once you put your hand on the glove you’re getting booted no matter what'
Author of the article:Dan Bilicki
Published Oct 31, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 3 minute read
Fans interfere with Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he attempts to catch a fly ball in foul territory during the first inning of Game 4 of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The play resulted in an out. Getty Images
After a day to reflect on his actions — which got himself and a friend kicked out of Yankee Stadium and turned into pariahs on the Internet – one might have thought Austin Capobianco would’ve been more contrite.
Instead, the Yankees fan who ripped a ball out of the glove of L.A. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts defended his actions in boisterous fashion some might got typical of New York.
During an interview with Barstool Sports on Wednesday night, Capobianco opened up about his moment of infamy, saying it was years in the making.
He said that he and a friend, who grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Nashville, went to the game and that they had always had a pact to interfere with an opponent if the opportunity arose in a big moment.
Capobianco has had season tickets for the seats in the front row down the right-field line since 2011, he said, adding he has attended every home playoff game since then.
“We talked about it. If we’re on the field, we’re D-ing up our fans from being stupid and causing interference that (costs the Yankees an out when they’re in the field),” Capobianco told Barstool Rundown.
“In that situation, ideally we would’ve hit the ball while it was in the air — we’re not reaching into the field of play. We would have if it came down to that, but that ball was on the wall.
“It was in my mouth, basically, and I go, ‘I can’t not do something right now.’”
He explained his mostly backwards logic of trying to tear the ball out of Betts’ mitt as the outfielder attempted to make the catch in foul territory.
“It was pretty secure. Once you put your hand on the glove you’re getting booted no matter what. So I might as well just f***ng rip the thing out,” Capobianco said.
The fan also had a laugh about the situation and the video of the incident.
“The best was when (my friend) just grabbed the arm. It was f***ing hilarious in the video,” he said.
Eventually, Capobianco acknowledged that his friend “crossed the line” by grabbing Betts’ arm.
He also said that he was familiar with stadium security because “peasants” sitting behind him have frequently complained about him standing up in front of them during games in the past.
After the pair were ejected from the game, Capobianco said that the two went to a nearby bar and spent the rest of the night “slamming drinks.”
The Yankees also banned the two fans for Game 5 and issued a statement denouncing their actions.
https://torontosun.com/sports/baseball/ ... terference
