Alex Verdugo Downplays Banned Yankee Fans From Mookie Betts Play

Alex Verdugo should know plenty about interactions and interferences from fans at Yankee Stadium.

Verdugo had a ball thrown in his direction with an ensuing encounter with fans in the left field stands during his second season with the Boston Red Sox in 2021. The fan base created another interfering moment Tuesday night when two fans grabbed Mookie Betts’ wrists as the Los Angeles (and former Boston) outfielder caught a ball at the wall down the right field line.

This time as a member of the Yankees, Verdugo appeared to downplay the issue after the fans got banned for the game.

“That’s New York,” Verdugo told reporters, per Newsday’s Tim Healey. “That’s what you expect out there. … At the end of the day, I don’t think it was too serious. … I wouldn’t have any problem if (those fans) were here today or if they weren’t.”

Betts himself also put the incident behind him after the Dodgers’ loss with a focus on closing out the series. He looks to win his third career championship and his second with Los Angeles.

The Dodgers and Yankees reconvene Wednesday night in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.