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Dodgers stars are outraged by Yankees fans interference incident
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Dodgers stars are outraged by Yankees fans interference incident

Dodgers players and staff told The Post that the Yankees had to severely discipline their two fans who aggressively grabbed Mookie Betts’ glove and arm in Game 4, and a few Dodgers suggested the duo would never see the inside of a ballpark again.

The Yankees removed the pair, identified as Austin Capobianco and John Peter, who attempted to clear Gleyber Torres’ ball from Betts’ glove in the first inning. The team also took away their Game 5 tickets and gave them to a childhood cancer patient, his younger brothers and his mother, and is considering further action, a Yankees spokesman said.

“It should be an immediate lifetime ban. They should never be allowed in any stadium again,” Dodgers star Max Muncy told The Post. “If it’s by accident that you’re trying to catch the ball and you bump into a (player), that’s one thing. But in that scenario, two guys try to grab Mookie’s glove and then his hand – that’s a lifetime ban.

Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a catch on a foul ball by Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees as fans rip the ball from his glove during the first inning. Jason Szenes/New York Post

‘That’s a borderline attack. You could file charges for that,” Muncy added.

A few other Dodgers folks wondered what would have happened if Betts had been injured in the incident, which isn’t out of the question since he was in the air and his arms were outstretched. If he had gotten hurt, these two fans might have tainted the entire World Series, like the 2017 Astros championship, a few other Dodgers people said. (The Dodgers were the ones who lost the 2017 World Series.)

“It was absolutely ridiculous – banned for life, whatever it is, there should be disciplinary action,” Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux said. “You can’t grab a player’s arm and hold on. There is no room for that.”

The fans showed no remorse when speaking to ESPN, and even suggested there was premeditation, with one telling the outlet: “We always joke about the ball in our region. We don’t shy away from attacking. If it’s in our area, we’re going to make a ‘D.’

Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after making a catch on a foul ball by Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees as fans rip the ball from his glove during the first inning. Jason Szenes/New York Post

Some Dodgers folks commented on how lucky we all are that Betts was unhurt. Betts himself refused to talk about it before Game 5, saying only, “I don’t care.”

“Luckily Mookie is doing well, that’s the most important thing,” Muncy said.

Teoscar Hernandez was amused in real time, but upon closer examination, the Dodgers outfielder realized the potential seriousness of the situation.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before, but now that I see the pictures and videos and all that stuff, it’s kind of crazy what’s happening,” Hernandez said. “…Fans know they can’t do that, which they did on Tuesday night.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was pleased with the outcome.

“We didn’t need them to be here, so the Yankees refunded their tickets,” Roberts said. “So that’s perfect, right?”

The YAnkees gave the seats previously occupied by the meddling fans to a childhood cancer patient and his family. Jason Szenes/New York Post

Alex Verdugo had plenty of experience playing in Yankee Stadium as a visitor with the Red Sox before being traded to the Yankees. The veteran outfielder said the fan interference in this case was “extreme” but not a reason to worry about the players’ safety.

“I feel like that’s what you expect here,” Verdugo said. “You expect unique things. In the end I didn’t think it was that serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off too. That is exactly the passion that New Yorkers have.”

Some Dodgers disagreed, expressing dismay that the boys dressed in Yankees gear were given a hero’s welcome by some around them. They were not happy about that.

“Everyone gives them a high five, that’s not something to high five for,” Muncy said. “You could have really hurt our right fielder.”