In a story that’s caught the attention of baseball fans everywhere, Yankees fan Austin Capobianco is speaking out after being banned from attending Game 5 of the World Series. The reason? A well-documented and ill-fated attempt to interfere with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during a crucial pop-out in foul territory. Capobianco, now the face of the incident, opened up about the events in an interview with Barstool Sports, sharing that his move to disrupt Betts was no accident-it was, in fact, years in the making.
The incident, which led to his swift ejection and subsequent ban, has raised questions about the role of fan interference in the high-stakes atmosphere of playoff baseball. According to Capobianco, this wasn’t a spontaneous act; he had a long-standing pact with a friend to intervene if they ever found themselves in the perfect spot at a pivotal game moment. His friend, who joined him that night, had flown in from Nashville, adding a sense of destiny to their plan.
Chaos at Yankee Stadium: Fans ejected for interfering with Mookie Betts
Capobianco’s seats, located in the first row along the right-field line, have been his perch since 2011, allowing him to attend countless playoff games in person. Reflecting on their pact, he admitted they had discussed “D-ing up” their spot by protecting Yankee players from potential interference and, in turn, stepping in if an opposing player like Betts ventured close. “In that moment, I felt like I couldn’t just sit there,” he told Barstool Rundown.“I wanted to play the part, make that impact.”
As the ball hovered near Betts’ glove, Capobianco saw his opportunity. He reached out, initially hoping to disrupt the out, only to find Betts’ grip too secure. “I thought if I could just get a piece of it, maybe we could make a difference,” he explained. “I put my hand on the glove-it was a split-second decision. Once you’re there, you’re pretty much getting booted, so I figured, why not?”
Capobianco didn’t act alone. His friend, standing by, even grabbed Betts’ arm in what became an amusing but intense exchange caught on camera. Looking back, Capobianco said, “When I saw the video, my friend’s grab made it look wild. We were just trying to get in the play.” But in hindsight, he admitted his friend had likely “crossed the line” with the physical contact.
Banned fan claims no malice in Betts incident but faces swift consequences
Despite the physical interference, Capobianco emphasized that the incident was purely about the game and had no underlying hostility. “There was no racial intent in what we did,” he clarified. “It was about getting that edge for the Yankees-nothing else.”
While Capobianco might have thought he was familiar with Yankee Stadium security, the ejection came swiftly. He noted with some irony that security and nearby fans have had issues with him before, mostly due to his “enthusiastic cheering” from the front row. “People in the seats behind me have complained about me standing up to cheer during big moments,” he said, referring to them as “peasants.”
After the ejection, Capobianco’s night continued at Billy’s, a nearby bar where he reportedly spent the rest of the evening“slamming drinks.” It was, he admitted, a way to brush off the frustration of missing the game he’d waited so long to attend.
The Yankees, meanwhile, have decided to turn the situation into something positive. On Wednesday, they announced that Capobianco’s seats would be given to a young fan battling pediatric cancer, allowing him and his family to enjoy the postseason action without disruption. It’s a gesture that, while heartwarming, puts a definitive close on Capobianco’s infamous seat-and perhaps sends a message to fans tempted to step over the line.
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