Yankees asked to ban fans who interfered with Mookie Betts’ World Series catch

MLB wants the Yankees to ban the fans who tried to rip a foul ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove.

Major League Baseball has asked the New York Yankees to ban the fans who interfered with a Mookie Betts catch in foul territory for Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, according to ESPN. The moment happened in the bottom of the first inning in Game 4 on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Dodgers star tracked the ball into foul territory, but when he went up to make the catch, two Yankees fans grabbed his arms and tried to rip the ball free.

The umpires ruled that the Yankees batter was out because of fan interference. New York went on to win the game, 11-4, to stay alive in the World Series. The Dodgers lead the series 3-1 heading into Game 5 in New York on Tuesday night.

This has been a thrilling World Series from the very start, but the controversy around the Yankees fans who dared to interfere with the game threatened to take the spotlight off the remarkable play on the field. In between puff pieces about the fans, MLB decided it needed to remove the distraction ahead of what could be the series finale in Game 5.

The Yankees are reportedly in agreement to ban the fans, according to CNN. They will be given a refund for their tickets. The fans were ejected following the play in Game 4.

We’ll update this story as it develops.