During Game 4 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, Mookie Betts initially dismissed an incident involving two disruptive fans as insignificant. However, in a candid interview with comedians Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, Betts revealed the frustration he felt during the heated exchange.
The incident unfolded on December 28 during a foul pop fly hit by Gleyber Torres. Positioned in right field, Betts leapt toward the wall in foul territory to make the catch. As he secured the ball, a fan in the front row, Austin Capobianco, grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands, yanking the ball out. Simultaneously, Capobianco’s friend, John Peter, grabbed Betts’ other hand, further escalating the situation.
Initially, Betts kept his composure, choosing not to let the altercation overshadow the game or upset the crowd. However, in the interview for the Back That Year Up 2024 special, he admitted he was furious in the moment and even considered retaliating. “I thought about throwing the ball at them,” Betts confessed, “but then I told myself, ‘Mook, you’re not gonna do s—, just go back to right field.'”
The chaos prompted stadium security to intervene, removing both fans from the game. While Betts didn’t let the incident affect his play, his comments highlighted the anger he suppressed at the time.
Teammates also expressed shock over the behavior. Dodgers rookie pitcher Ben Casparius noted it “set the tone” for the game, while shortstop Tommy Edman called the fans’ actions “unacceptable.” Despite the drama, the Dodgers triumphed in Game 5, clinching their second World Series title in four years.
