“That’s kind of New York” - Alex Verdugo on Yankees fans who tried to rip the ball from Mookie Betts during Game 4 of World Series
New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo continued his good postseason run by notching up his first World Series home run in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday evening. Earlier, Verdugo raised a few eyebrows ahead of the game with his words regarding the pair of Yankees supporters involved in the fan interference incident with Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts on Tuesday night.
During Game 4 at Yankees Stadium on Tuesday night, a couple of home fans had grabbed the arm of Mookie Betts when he attempted to catch a foul ball heading into the bleachers near the right field line. The pair were immediately escorted out of the stadium, while fans, players and the media blasted them for their actions, which may have resulted in a severe injury for the Dodgers outfielder.
MLB also denied the two fans permission to enter the stadium the next day and revoked their tickets for the game. However, Alex Verdugo had some empathy for the pair of Yankees fans when he spoke to reporters in the pre-game press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Verdugo felt their actions aptly reflected the feisty nature of New York City and its residents.
"Maybe one of the more extreme (ones), kind of trying to rip a ball out," Verdugo said. "But at the same time, that's kind of New York; I feel like that's what you expect here.
"You expect some unique things," he added. "At the end of the day, I didn't feel it was too serious. I think Mookie kind of shook it off, too. That's the kind of passion, I guess, the New Yorkers have."
Incidentally, Alex Verdugo is a former Los Angeles Dodger who was shipped off to the Boston Red Sox when they traded for Mookie Betts in 2019.
"I wouldn't have any problem if they were here today": Alex Verdugo on the suspended Yankees fans
In the pre-game press conference before Game 5, Alex Verdugo said that he didn't have any issues with the actions of the two New York Yankees fans who were suspended for breaking a cardinal rule of interfering with the play.
At the same time, he understands why the MLB had to take a hard stance on the matter.
"It is what it is," Verdugo said. "I wouldn't have any problem if they were here today or if they weren't.
"That's what MLB deemed they wanted to do," he added. "I guess they had to show some sort of disciplinary act. So, it is what it is."
Game 5 will be the final home game of the year for the Yankees. The action will move back to Los Angeles if they manage to stay alive in the World Series until the weekend.