Yankees revoke tickets of ejected fans, gift them to cancer patient Calvin Young
The New York Yankees revoked the tickets of two fans who interfered with the LA Dodgers’ Mookie Betts in Game 4 and gifted them to Calvin Young, a young fan battling cancer.
Young attended Game 5 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday with his family, while the banned fans received refunds.
The two fans were punished for grabbing Betts' glove in Game 4, causing the ball to pop out as he attempted to catch a foul ball hit by Gleyber Torres.
Both individuals were escorted from the stadium shortly after the incident and banned from attending Game 5.
New York Yankees respond to incident involving LA Dodgers' Mookie Betts
Following the incident, the New York Yankees issued a statement addressing the situation.
"The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised," the Yankees said (via ESPN).
"Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans' passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one's team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk."
The New York Yankees, who trailed 3-1 heading into Game 5, started strongly. They took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a two-run homer by Aaron Judge followed by a solo home run from Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Alex Verdugo added a single in the second inning, and Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo homer in the third, extending the Yankees' lead to 5-0.
The Dodgers responded in the fifth inning to level proceedings. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman hit singles, followed by a double from Teoscar Hernandez.
The Yankees regained the lead when Giancarlo Stanton hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in a run.
Gavin Lux's sacrifice fly in the eighth tied the game again, and Mookie Betts followed with another sacrifice fly, putting the Dodgers ahead 7-6.
LA maintained its lead over the rest of the game to clinch the 2024 World Series.