An unfortunately memorable moment from the 2024 World Series occurred in Game 4 when Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts attempted to catch a fly ball in foul territory in right field at Yankee Stadium during the first inning.
Betts reached over the wall to the first row of seats and caught the ball. However, two fans immediately tried to knock the ball out of Betts’ glove, as if that had somehow prevented the exit. One of the spectators was caught on camera trying to open Betts’ glove to get the ball, while the other grabbed the former MVP’s wrist to prevent him from removing the glove and the ball.
“Well, A for effort.”
Fan interference was called on this play in which a Yankees fan attempted to knock the ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove after one out. pic.twitter.com/iZ6taImncd
– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 30, 2024
The referees called it fan interference and awarded Betts the start. The two spectators were then escorted out of the stadium and then excluded from Game 5.
After the game, Betts said, “I’ve never seen anything like it” and kept his thoughts civil.
However, two months after the incident and an eventual Dodgers World Series championship, Betts had a much more candid answer when asked about fan interference by comedians Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson in his Peacock.”Back that year until 2024” special.
“I would really say ‘Fuck you guys,'” Betts responded when asked what he would say to those fans now. “I see them trying to grab the ball. Cool. But, like, you tried to grab my shit.
“I was in the moment,” he added. “So I thought I’d throw them a ball. And then I realized, ‘Mook, you’re not going to do shit. Go back to right field.'”
Mookie Betts finally responded to Yankees fans who tried to rape him in the World Series:
“I’d really say screw you guys.”
“I thought about throwing the ball to them and then I realized Mook, you’re not going to do shit, go back to right field!”
Via Hartbeat/TT pic.twitter.com/LKfauBAfnf
– Dodger Nation (@DodgersNation) December 26, 2024
Once again, Betts caught the ball and got the out. He hit .278 with a .681 OPS. And he won the third World Series title of his career. He absolutely had the last laugh. Now he also has the last word. And it is recorded on video for repeated playback online.
Betts may not have to deal with that situation again next season either, as the Dodgers plan to move him to the infield for play second base or shortstop. Of course, he could run into foul territory again playing any of those positions. But Betts wouldn’t necessarily have to reach over a wall to get a fly ball.
The Dodgers will play the Yankees next season in a three-game series from May 30 to June 1. However, the games will be played at Dodger Stadium.