NEW YORK, NY – Dodgers star Mookie Betts found himself in a bizarre situation at Yankee Stadium during Game 4 of the World Series. Betts experienced what could be considered misdemeanor assault from fans in the right-field corner, leading to a 11-4 loss for the Dodgers against the Yankees. This incident left Betts frustrated by the missed opportunity for a four-game sweep but relieved that he avoided serious injury. Despite the setback, Betts remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like that, but there’s always a first time for a first.”
In the first inning, Gleyber Torres hit a fly ball to right field that drifted into foul territory. Betts, known for his exceptional fielding skills, leaped to make the catch but encountered interference from two Yankees fans. One fan tried to pry the ball from Betts’ glove while the other grabbed the outfielder’s wrist, preventing him from securing the ball. The interference resulted in Betts dropping the ball, leading to Torres being ruled out by the umpire Mark Carlson. Both fans were ejected from the stadium for their actions.
Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman commented on the incident, expressing his disbelief at the fans’ behavior. He noted that the aggressive actions towards a player were unacceptable. Betts, who had previously played for the Boston Red Sox, a fierce rival of the Yankees, was no stranger to facing animosity from opposing fans. However, he admitted that he had never experienced such hostility from fans during his 11-year career in the MLB.
Despite the disruptive incident, Betts remained focused on the game, emphasizing the need to move forward and prepare for Game 5. The Dodgers faced a challenging game as the Yankees took the lead with a grand slam by shortstop Anthony Volpe. Although the Dodgers attempted to narrow the gap, the Yankees solidified their victory with a commanding performance in the eighth inning. The game ended with a 11-4 win for the Yankees.
Reflecting on the game, Betts acknowledged the resilience of the Yankees and the need for the Dodgers to regroup for the upcoming matches. As the Dodgers maintained a three-game lead in the series, Betts emphasized the importance of securing the necessary wins for ultimate success in the World Series. Despite the setback in Game 4, Betts remained optimistic about the Dodgers’ chances moving forward.