The New York Yankees fan who tore the ball away from Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the World Series on Monday has a strange connection to former NFL superstar Rob Gronkowski, who described his old friend as a “maniac.”
In what has since been widely described as irresponsible behavior from a fan at a critical moment in his team’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the fan identified by ESPN as Austin Capobianco tried to wrest the ball away from Betts’ grasp. Another fan appeared to try to remove the glove from the player’s hand.
The fans were ejected from the game. The Yankees pulled one back, yet are still 3-1 down heading into Game 5 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium in New York.
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“This is actually the first time I’m seeing this live,” Gronkowski said on the Up And Adams Show. “Here’s a little fun fact that guy right there, grabbing Mookie, was my friend in college. He was in the ice hockey team, the club Arizona Wildcats.
“Let me tell you, the whole hockey team they were absolute maniacs. Animals,” Gronkowski said. “Him doing that represents him very well. He is all in for his teams. All in for the Yankees. I remember talking about the Yankees, and him doing whatever it takes to help his team out. He is a beauty.
“Congratulations for shining when the moment came. He is a beaut.”
Grownkowski added: “I haven’t talked to him in a while, they were maniacs, another level. They were fun, that’s for sure. It is unacceptable in the world of sports, but when you’re that big of a fan, that’s what fans do.
“He said him and friend talked about it, every single time they’re at a Yankees game, what would they do in that situation occurred, and he said, the exact thing, and they would do it again. They would stand up and protect the D.”
Clarifying his stance, Gronkowski said: “I’m not saying it’s ok I think it’s truly unacceptable.”
The Yankees hope to narrow the deficit ahead of Wednesday’s fifth game in the World Series, having lost the first three games in quick succession amid a threat of a clean sweep. Capobianco will not be in attendance as he’s banned for the game because of the interference.
If the Dodgers are to seal their win, first baseman Freddie Freeman will need to be on as good a run of form as he has been of late having broken the World Series record with a home run in six consecutive games.
If the Yankees are able to keep Freeman, and the Dodgers, at bay then they will force a Game 6, which takes place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on November 1. As does Game 7 on November 2.
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