'I'm way too passionate a fan': Yankees fan who bothered Mookie Betts speaks out

The Yankees fan who interfered with a catch by Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts during Tuesday's World Series game told The Times that he was simply “too passionate” and “probably crossed the line.”

Austin Capobianco, a 38-year-old fan from Connecticut, was banned from attending Game 5 in the Bronx on Wednesday for grabbing Betts' mitt and appearing to twist the player's wrist after Betts reached into the stands for a to catch a foul ball hit by Gleyber Torres. Capobianco said he tried to steal the ball from Betts to help his favorite team.

“I’m way too passionate a fan that probably crossed the line last night,” Capobianco said in a text message to The Times. “I just wanted to keep this from being an out.”

His efforts and those of a second fan resulted in the ball squirting out of Betts' glove, but Torres was still called out for interference.

In a postgame interview with ESPN, Capobianco said his actions and those of his seatmate, John Peter, were intentional.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” ESPN quoted the season ticket holder as saying. “If it's in our area, we'll go up 'D.' Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We are ready for this.”

In texts with The Times, the self-proclaimed superfan said he exchanged no words with the Dodgers outfielder and denied using any racial epithets toward Betts. He said some people have accused him of using racial slurs.

Capobianco also praised Betts as a player.

“He was so damn good and the game he played was impressive. The excitement and desperation of the World Series took hold and this was the result,” Capobianco said.

Read more: Yankee fans who disrupted Mookie Betts were ejected from Game 5 of the World Series

If the Yankees had walked the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman instead of giving up a two-run home run in the top half of that inning, Capobianco added, it might have changed his “attitude or his thought process during that play, but maybe not.” “

In a statement, the Yankees said Capobianco and a second fan who disrupted Betts would “in no way” be allowed into the stadium for Game 5 on Wednesday. “The safety of players, fans and stadium staff is the fundamental element of every event at Yankee Stadium and must not be compromised,” the team said.

Capobianco also had a message for his team for the upcoming offseason.

“Sign Soto,” Capobianco wrote.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.