They paid the price.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has issued lifetime bans to two fans who disrupted a World Series game at Yankee Stadium by interfering with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. The fans, identified as Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen, were informed of the decision in a letter from MLB this week.
The letter detailed the incident, which occurred on October 29, 2024, during Game 4 of the World Series. It described how the fans intentionally grabbed Betts during a play, posing a significant risk to his safety. MLB emphasized that their actions crossed the line of acceptable fan behavior, leading to the indefinite ban from all MLB stadiums, facilities, and events. The letter also warned that any future attempts to enter MLB properties would result in removal and possible arrest for trespassing.
This is not the first time MLB has issued such bans for disruptive behavior. In the past, fans who have trespassed on the field or threatened players or staff have faced similar sanctions. For instance, a fan who approached Atlanta Braves player Ronald Acuña Jr. at Coors Field in 2023 also received a lifetime ban.
Capobianco and Hansen had already been ejected from the game on October 29 and were barred from attending Game 5 the following evening. The incident occurred when Betts jumped to catch a foul ball in the first inning, and one of the fans grabbed his glove, pulling the ball out. Another fan also interfered by grabbing Betts’ hand. The New York Yankees condemned the behavior, calling it “egregious and unacceptable,” and confirmed the two banned fans were not season ticket holders.
