‘The most disgraceful act ever’ in the World Series… A spectator steals a ball caught by a defender
During the World Series game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, prestigious clubs representing Major League Baseball (MLB), the spectators’ inconsiderate behavior raised eyebrows.
At Yankee Stadium in New York on the 29th (local time), when Game 4 of the World Series was held, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts made a great defense in the bottom of the first inning, but missed the ball due to interference from Yankees fans.
Betts, the Dodgers’ right fielder, chased a batted ball from Yankees’ number one hitter Gleyber Torres in the bottom of the first inning, jumped up to the spectator fence outside the right foul line, and caught the ball. At this moment, two Yankees fans grabbed Betts’ glove and stole the ball.
Betts became angry when the ball fell due to spectators interfering with the game. However, the referee judged that Betts had caught it properly and ruled him out. The two spectators in question were immediately ejected.
In Game 1 of the World Series held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on the 25th, Torres hit a home run-like ball to left in the top of the 9th inning with the score 2-2, but a spectator in the front row of the outfield stands caught the ball with his glove.
The umpire judged that the batted ball would have bounced off the top of the fence if the crowd had not caught it, so it was recognized as Torres’ double, but the Yankees were unable to score and lost in overtime.
Jang Ji-min, Hankyung.com guest reporter newsinfo@hankyung.com
