The two New York Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts in World Series Game 4 drew a stunning range of reactions, as many condemned the act, while others praised and joked about it.
Rob Gronkowski shared a surprising reaction that seemed to cover all that territory, with a wild twist: the NFL on Fox studio analyst told FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams he was college friends with one of the fans.
Up & Adams host Kay Adams showed a replay of the incident for Gronkowski, who offered a priceless reaction.
“This is actually the first time I’m seeing this live,” Gronkowski said. “And here’s a little fun fact — that guy right there grabbing Mookie Betts’ glove was my friend in college. He was on the ice hockey team … and let me tell you, the whole hockey team, they were absolute maniacs. They were undescribable …”
“Animals?” Adams prompted.
“Animals, yes, how wild these guys were,” Gronkowski agreed. “Him doing that represents him very well. He is all in for his teams, he is all in for the Yankees. I remember him talking about the Yankees all the time, how he loves them so much.
“He’s a beauty. I just wanna say congratulations for shining when your moment came.”
OF COURSE Gronk was college friends with the #Yankees fan who interfered with Mookie Betts glove last night 😭🔊
“He’s a beauty. I just wanna say congratulations for SHINING when your moment came.”@RobGronkowski @heykayadams @Yankees pic.twitter.com/dqRPpI1job
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 30, 2024
“Congratulations?” Adams asked incredulously. She showed the replay again.
“Gronk … you’re telling me this is OK?” she asked.
“No, I’m not saying it’s OK,” Gronkowski said.
“Well now I want you to tell me what you think of what your friend did,” Adams said.
“I mean, I haven’t talked to him in a while … that whole group, they were maniacs,” Gronkowski said.
“If Gronk is calling you a maniac, that’s all you need to know,” Adams quipped. She went on to say the fan, identified in other media reports as Austin Capobianco, showed “unhinged behavior.”
Gronkowski then sent a mixed message on the incident.
“It is unacceptable, definitely, in the world of sports,” Gronkowski admitted. “But when you’re that big of a fan, that’s what fans do.”
Gronkowski and Adams’ interaction showed the sharp split in the sports world over the incident. Many fans were appalled, pointing out Betts could have been injured. Others pointed to the fan and his friend, who were both ejected from the game, as akin to folk heroes.
Many criticized an ESPN reporter for “glorifying” Capobianco. Others called out MLB on Fox announcer Joe Davis for saying the fan deserved an “A for effort” for the incident.
Why is Joe Davis seemingly making a joke of it?
— Jason Grefer (@JasonGrefer) October 30, 2024
While fans will disagree on the play itself, everyone can probably agree that Gronkowski and his old college buddy will have plenty to talk about at their next class reunion.
[Up & Adams]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.