“It should have been an instant lifetime ban from all MLB stadiums" - Max Muncy on fan behavior after Mookie Betts’ near injury
Los Angeles Dodgers star Max Muncy on Monday talked about the drama of the World Series that he and his team won. One of the key talking points was the fan interference on Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts at Yankee Stadium.
The incident occurred in the first inning of Game 4. Yankees' leadoff hitter, Gleyber Torres, hit a foul ball, and Betts leaped up to catch it. However, a pair of Yankees fans grabbed his glove, forcing the ball out of his grasp. The umpires immediately ruled fan interference.
Although the fans were asked to leave the stadium and were not allowed back for Game 5, Muncy believes the punishment should have been much harsher.
"First off, thankfully Mookie didn't get hurt," Muncy said. "You're talking about your arm hanging over the wall like that. That's very easy to get hyper-extended, snap something. It should have been an instant lifetime ban from all MLB stadiums right there. Instead of saying, 'Oh, he can't come to the next game, but he still gets his season tickets next year.'
"That's not really a consequence. ... If they had season tickets, and they're there, they are serious fans, and if you tell them, 'You can't ever come to another baseball game ever again,' that's going to put some serious doubt into people's head, (when they decide) whether or not they want to do something like that."
Max Muncy talks about the feeling of celebrating World Series title with LA
Max Muncy and the Los Angeles Dodgers sealed their victory in the 2024 World Series as they completed an incredible comeback to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium, winning the series 4-1. The 2024 title is Muncy's second, having also been a part of the Dodgers' 2020 World Series-winning team.
After returning to Los Angeles with the trophy, the squad had a celebratory parade on Friday, as they toured the city on a bus, met by thousands of cheering fans.
On Monday's edition of "Foul Territory," Muncy described the incredible feeling of celebrating the big win with the fans.
"It was awesome, still think I'm recovering a little bit from those couple of days," Muncy said (Timestamp: 0:38). "It was everything I could have imagined it being. The city was unbelievable. You get on the buses, you turn into downtown, and all of a sudden it's just people as far as you can possibly see. People sitting on top of stoplights, on top of buildings, it was just amazing."
With a great season now in the history books, the Dodgers faithful will be hoping Max Muncy and Co. can get some much-needed rest in the offseason before coming back motivated to repeat the previous season's work in 2025.