A group of New York Yankees fans who disrupted Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts during the World Series have been banned from attending all Major League Baseball (MLB) games, the league announced today. The ban comes after the fans were caught on video harassing Betts during Game 4 of the 2025 World Series, causing a brief pause in play.
The incident occurred in the early innings of the game when Betts was preparing to take his at-bat. Several fans seated along the first base line were seen shouting insults and taunting the Dodgers’ star, with some even throwing objects toward him. Betts appeared visibly frustrated as security quickly intervened to defuse the situation. Despite the disruption, the game continued, and Betts went on to play a key role in the Dodgers’ victory.
MLB swiftly launched an investigation into the incident and, following a review of security footage and fan testimonies, determined that the actions of the individuals involved were both disruptive and unsportsmanlike. The league issued a statement condemning the behavior and announcing that the fans in question would be prohibited from attending any MLB games, effective immediately.
“Major League Baseball has a zero-tolerance policy for behavior that disrupts the integrity of the game and the safety of players and fans,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in a press release. “We are committed to ensuring that the ballpark remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone, and this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.”
The Yankees organization also condemned the actions of the fans involved, with team owner Hal Steinbrenner offering a public apology to Betts and the Dodgers. “The behavior exhibited by these individuals is unacceptable, and it does not reflect the values of our organization or our fan base,” Steinbrenner said. “We support the league’s decision to ban them and will work closely with MLB to ensure this does not happen again.”
The fans involved in the incident have not been publicly identified, but reports indicate they were long-time season ticket holders. It is unclear whether they will appeal the ban or face any additional legal consequences for their actions.
Mookie Betts, who has been widely praised for his professionalism and sportsmanship, addressed the incident after the game. “I just want to focus on playing baseball and doing my job. It was unfortunate that this happened, but I’m grateful for the security and staff who handled the situation quickly,” Betts said. “I hope that we can all respect the game and each other, and move forward from this.”
