Austin Capobianco and his friend, John Peter, the fans who grabbed each hand of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts in an attempt to pry his glove off during a World Series game, say the Yankees are allowing them to come back for Game 5.
The news comes via a report from ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. Rogers published a glowing report of the fans, even describing Capobianco as a “beaut” in a post on X and providing his absurd version and reasoning for his actions.
“Capobianco and Peter were escorted out of Yankee Stadium but said they were told they would be allowed back for Game 5 on Wednesday,” Rogers writes.
It’s unclear if that is true and I have found no confirmation either way as of yet. And it would be quite shocking if it were the case.
ESPN says the Yankees did not immediately respond to a request for comment as to whether or not the fans, who were immediately ejected over their actions, would be allowed back.
The pair are season ticket holders.
Yankees Fans Who Grabbed Mookie Betts To Be Allowed Back
Based on their actions, Capobianco and Peter are not likely a fountain of truth in information. If somebody with the organization did say they’d be allowed back, then the Yankess have some explaining to do.
Fans should never be allowed to touch a player on the field. Period. End of discussion. Let alone mugging a player during an active play. During the World Series, for goodness’ sakes.
The incident occurred when Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a foul pop-up in the first inning, which Betts caught while near the padded wall.
Capobianco, though, wasn’t about to let it stand. He was captured on camera trying to forcibly yank Betts’ glove off while Peter aggressively grabbed his other wrist.
This is insane.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 30, 2024
Mookie Betts goes into the stands to catch a ball and a fan grabbed his glove and ripped the ball out.
He was just kicked out of the stadium after a half an inning.
pic.twitter.com/FkfEeJbBgG
ESPN’s Rogers tracked the two down at a local bar of all places and offered them a chance to explain their actions. They didn’t regret what they had done in the least, believing in their minds they had a right to defend their ‘territory.’
“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.”
Meet Austin Capobianco (middle), the fan that interfered with Mookie. I was talking to him at a local bar when a bunch of other fans asked him to take a pic with him and for his autograph. He was a beaut. Story up soon at ESPN: “If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up.” pic.twitter.com/0XDpfsifvq
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 30, 2024
ESPN Criticized For Glowing Story
Rogers was heavily criticized for offering the fantastical story of the Yankees fans who essentially assaulted Mookie Betts, even providing a picture of the fans with others, beaming with pride.
Rogers said he “was talking to him (Capobianco) at a local bar when a bunch of other fans asked him to take a pic with him and for his autograph.”
“He was a beaut,” he concluded, giving him the rock star treatment.
Baseball fans weren’t so sure.
“So we’re just gonna promote this kind of behavior from fans?” one wrote.
Another chimed in, “He is not in fact ‘a beaut’ Jesse; he is a loser.”
No lies detected.
“This is not the sort of stuff you guys should be promoting. Be better dude,” another added.
Capobianco added that he knew he was “in the wrong,” adding, “I patrol that wall, and they know that.”
We’ll be monitoring the situation and let you know if the Yankees actually do let these fans back in after the incident.
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