Sports fans are in a league of their own, literally.
While I don’t mind a game playing on mute in the background of a social situation, I can’t imagine getting so caught up in my team’s baseball game that I try to interfere with the opposing team’s ball physically, but maybe that’s just me.
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On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in game five in New York against the Yankees.
The win was historic for the California-based team. As reported by the CBC, of the 234 teams to trail by five or more runs in a Series game, the Dodgers just became the seventh team to win.
This comeback victory is the largest in a clinching game in World Series history! Does it sound like I know what I’m talking about yet?
I guess this game was a really big deal! Good job, Dodgers! Go sports!
However, this win came after a stressful game the night before, when a Yankees fan tried to pry a ball out of a Dodgers player’s glove.
In a truly shocking moment that has since gone viral, an overzealous fan grabbed the gloved hand of Dodgers player Mookie Betts and pried it open, ripping the baseball right out of his glove.
Unsurprisingly, the fan and his accomplice were immediately kicked out of the game.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Dodgers rookie pitcher Ben Casparius, as per AP News. “It’s pretty interesting. It was obviously very early in the game so I think it kind of set the tone.”
After the game, Betts was interviewed about the moment and was seemingly handling it a lot better than I would have.
“That was wild, man… I’ve never experienced anything like that. I was telling my wife that was the second time in my life I ever wanted to fight someone. But, I get it man… he had to do what he had to do. It is what it is,” the 32-year-old said.
The Yankees released a statement ahead of game five addressing the situation.
“Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised,” the statement began, as per CBS News.
“Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion on display,” they said.
They continued: “Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.”
“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity,” the statement concluded.
Understandably, many fans have taken to social media to express their outrage about the situation.
“As a Yankees fan, those two fans need to be arrested and banned for life from the stadium. Apologies to all the Dodger fans and fans in baseball in general. Fans should never touch a player. Ever,” wrote one fan.
“I’m a born Yankee fan until my dying day. This was so shameful. Mookie Betts could have been injured. This is so shameful and goes against the love of this game. I get it, people can get caught up. But this was so dumb and dangerous,” said another.
Thankfully, this Tuesday night mishap did not cost the Dodgers their mojo, as they ended up coming back the following night and winning the WHOLE THING!
I’m glad that Betts is OK and that the Dodgers made history while playing a fair game.
GO TEAM!
