Dodgers star Mookie Betts had to fight off a New York Yankees fan who tried to wrestle the ball from his glove during a dramatic start to Game 4 of the World Series.
At the bottom of the first inning, Betts leapt towards the stands to catch a hit from Gleyber Torres which had flown the wrong side of the foul line.
After the Los Angeles star grabbed the ball, however, a Yankees fan made a desperate attempt to take it from him while another held the player’s arm as he battled to fight them off.
The fan could be seen gritting his teeth as he wrestled with Betts. The ball eventually flew out of his glove but it was ruled a catch by the umpires.
Betts nevertheless reacted furiously, screaming towards the fans, who protested their innocence by claiming the ball was already over the fence.
‘Well, he won’t be watching the game for much longer,’ one announcer on Fox Sports said. ‘There’s no chance.’
Shortly after, the two fans were seen being escorted out of Yankee Stadium by security – despite boos from the home crowd.
The incredible moment came with the Dodgers 2-0 up after Freddie Freeman had silenced Yankee Stadium with a fourth home run of the World Series.
The 35-year-old has homered in every game, helping Los Angeles to a 3-0 lead heading into Tuesday’s clash in the Bronx.
Remarkably, it’s not the first time this series that fans have interfered with a hit from Torres.
Yankees supporters were enraged during the ninth inning of Game 1 when a Dodgers fan caught a potential go-ahead homer.
With the game tied 2-2, the second baseman blasted a shot to center field and it initially appeared that the ball was gone.
However, umpires quickly determined that a fan had reached over the wall and interfered with the play, before confirming that ruling and putting Torres on second base.
The fan was later seen being escorted out of the stadium by security but his interference proved a hugely significant moment.
The Dodgers went on to win in extra innings via a Freeman walk-off grand slam, handing them the initiative in the best-of-seven series.
