As people get over their shock at the bizarre scenes from the World Series, the New York Yankees fans involved have spoken out.
As you might have seen, Game 4 of the World Series took a shocking turn Tuesday night when two Yankees fans went too far.
The incident, involving Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts, unfolded as the Dodgers led the series 3-0 and tensions ran high for the New York team, on the verge of a sweep.
During the bottom of the first inning, with the Yankees trailing 2-0, Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres sent a fly ball toward right field.
Betts, in the fifth year of his 12-year, $365 million contract, moved to make what appeared to be a routine catch — until two fans reached over the boundary, turning the play into an unprecedented display of interference.
One fan, wearing a Mariano Rivera jersey, reportedly grabbed at Betts’ glove to pull the ball loose, while another, in an Aaron Judge jersey, clutched Betts’ wrist, blocking his movement.
The stadium atmosphere quickly shifted as the fans were escorted out, met with a resounding chorus of boos.
The interference led umpires to rule Torres out.
Dodgers reporter Doug McKain demanded severe consequences for the fan, concerned about the safety risks posed to Betts. “Ban this Yankees fan for life. What if Mookie gets injured here?” McKain tweeted.
The fans were escorted out of Yankee Stadium, exchanging high-fives with other Yankees fans on their way out.
Newsweek’s Dodgers beat reporter, Noah Camras, commented on the incident, stating: “Yankees fans are doing anything they can to try to help their team beat the Dodgers. I’ve never seen anything like this — two fans literally trying to rip the ball out of Mookie Betts’ glove.”
Even tennis analyst Brad Gilbert chimed in, shocked by the behavior, labeling it “inexcusable.”
Another social media user tweeted that the pair “should be banned from all 30 stadiums for life,” and another wrote on X: “He won’t ever see a game in person again.”
However, some people praised the fan’s outlandish actions. One person reportedly told The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd that the fan was a “hero”, adding: “It’s a championship game.”
ESPN identified the man who grabbed the ball as Yankees season-ticket holder Austin Capobianco, who had attended the game with a friend. According to ESPN, the pair had discussed beforehand how they might react if a foul ball came near them.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” they reportedly said at a local bar following the game. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”
Capobianco’s brother, Darren, did offer a comment on the moment, claiming that he saw Betts’ glove go over the wall to make the catch.
“I just see the ball kind of — I don’t want to say up for grabs, if that makes sense,” Darren Capobianco told The Athletic. “And then Mookie was swearing at us. Not good.”
When approached for comment, brother Austin reportedly just stated: “I just want to watch the game” — potentially expressing a moment of regret.
The fans informed ESPN that Yankee Stadium security assured them they would be permitted back for Wednesday’s Game 5.
Despite the controversy, the Yankees rallied, defeating the Dodgers 11-4 to stave off elimination. The Dodgers still hold a 3-1 lead in the series, but no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in World Series history.
For his part, Betts downplayed the incident after the game. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “We lost, it’s irrelevant. I’m fine, he’s fine, everything’s cool. We lost the game, that’s what I’m kind of focused on, turn the page. Everything’s fine.”
Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman had a stronger reaction, calling the interference “unacceptable.”
Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif announces huge career move
By Asiya Ali
Imane Khelif has announced a huge career move months after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old Algerian star was the talk of the summer games in Paris earlier this year… sadly for the wrong reasons.
It all began on August 1 when Khelif beat Italy’s Angela Carini in 46 seconds. The Italian boxer fell to her knees crying, allegedly stating, “It’s not fair”. Carini then refused to shake her opponent’s hand after it was confirmed that she would not be advancing to the next round.
Right after the match, misinformation about Khelif’s gender and eligibility to compete in women’s boxing spread like wildfire on social media.
A lot of concerned people claimed that the Olympian – who is listed as a female on her passport, and has always identified as female – incorrectly claimed that Khelif was a transgender woman.
Others raised the issue that she was banned from last year’s world championships by the IBA for failing to meet gender eligibility criteria.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) criticized those tests as deeply flawed and has since barred the IBA over issues related to governance, alleged corruption, and ties to Russia.
Khelif’s participation in the games led to backlash from social media users as well as high-profile figures like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and J.K Rowling.
The former president of the United States even spoke about the gold medalist on a recent appearance on WWE star The Undertaker’s podcast, repeatedly misgendering her.
“Did you see that beautiful Italian girl? She’s supposed to be a good boxer. She took just a left jab. The guy goes (Trump throws a punch) boom,” Trump said, cited by Daily Mail.
Trump then incorrectly claimed that Khelif had “transitioned” from male to female.
His comments come after the athlete named the former president after filing a lawsuit against Musk’s X platform for facilitating online harassment towards her.
Despite public scrutiny, Khelif didn’t lose a single round in the women’s welterweight (66kg) competition and ended up defeating China’s Yang Liu to become the first Algerian woman to claim boxing gold.
The 25-year-old has now shared with her fans that she is taking the next step in her already record-breaking boxing career.
Speaking at a press conference, she revealed: “I would like to hold a press conference today to share with you my success story with the media family and young women who watch me…There is a documentary being prepared about my success story and it will be shown on international platforms,” per News.com.au.
Khelif then announced that she will “enter the world of professional boxing,” and has received “many offers,” adding: “Currently, I have not made up my mind about where I will enter professional boxing.”
“But very soon I will take this step, we as Algerians would like to see our level in the field of professionalism,” she concluded.
She certainly is a fighter – in and out of the ring!
Featured image credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty
Olympic swimmer who was banished from the Paris 2024 Games announces next career move
By Asiya Ali
The Olympic Swimmer who was allegedly removed from the Olympic Village for creating an “inappropriate atmosphere” has announced her next career move.
As previously reported, Luana Alonso, who represented Paraguay in the Paris games, caused a stir in the French capital.
It’s been claimed that the 20-year-old athlete had been staying in the Olympic Village alongside her fellow athletes when she was reportedly removed due to “inappropriate” behavior.
Larissa Schaerer, the head of the COP mission, issued a statement about the Paraguayan athlete which read: “[Alonso] presence is creating an inappropriate atmosphere within Team Paraguay,” per Indy 100.
“We thank her for proceeding as instructed, as it was of her own free will that she did not spend the night in the Athletes’ Village.”
The statement did not provide any further details.
Alonso competed in the women’s 100m butterfly, finishing sixth in her heat, 29th overall, and failing to qualify for the semifinals.
Immediately after her race, the young swimmer took to her Instagram page to share with her 1.1 million followers that she is now retired.
She posted some pictures of the event, writing alongside them: “Swimming: thank you for allowing me to dream, you taught me to fight, to try, perseverance, sacrifice, discipline and many more.
“I gave you part of my life and I don’t change it for anything in the world because I lived the best experiences of my life, you gave me thousands of joys, friends from other countries that I will always carry them in my heart, unique opportunities. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon,” she concluded.
Several months after the Olympic Games, Alonso revealed that she had launched her own OnlyFans page.
On the platform, Alonso’s bio reads: “Your favorite ex-swimmer…Promise you won’t regret this. We’re gonna have a lot of fun together (in the messages).”
According to Daily Mail, it costs users around $35 per month to access the athlete’s content. The outlet added that she had mainly shared images of her posing in swimwear.
According to Daily Mail, Alonso addressed her banishment at the tournament, stating that it was her choice to leave the Games.
“I made the decision to stop and I am happy that my last race will be at the Olympics,” she reportedly said.
The 20-year-old revealed her career plans, sharing: “I am going to go to study in the United States, I am going to continue my career in Political Science and, why not, be Sports Minister one day.
‘I will always have a fondness for swimming and I may attend a competition, but it is not what I want in life,” she continued. “What I want is to work for a company, I already have my life plan and hopefully it can happen.”
Featured image credit: Andia / Getty
Rafael Nadal announces his retirement
By Michelle H
Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from professional tennis.
The 38-year-old Spaniard, who holds 22 Grand Slam titles, shared the news in a video message on X.
“Hello everyone. I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis,” Nadal said.
“The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations.
“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make.
“But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end.”
“And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.
“But I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country.
“I think I’ve come full circle, since one of my first great joys as a professional tennis player was the Davis Cup final in Sevilla in 2004.
“I feel super, super lucky for all the things I’ve been able to experience.
“I want to thank the entire tennis industry. All the people involved in this sport: my long-time colleagues, especially my great rivals. I have spent many hours with them, and I have lived many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.
“Talking about my team is a little bit more difficult for me because in the end my team has been a very important part of my life. They are not just coworkers, they are friends. They have been by my side at all the times I have really needed them.
“Very bad moments, very good moments, moments when I had to be pushed, moments they gave me more slack. We have lived so much together that it is hard to explain.
“My family is everything to me. My mother, I think she has made all the sacrifices she had to make so that we would always have everything.
“My wife, Mery, we’ve been together for 19 years. Thank you for everything you have done. I think you’ve been the perfect travel companion during all these years of my career. To come home and see how my son is growing every day has been a force that has really kept me alive and with the necessary energy to continue.
“My sister, I think we have always had an incredible relationship. My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career.
“And to my father, who I believe has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word. I think he has been an example of effort, of overcoming. Many, many thanks to my father in a very, very special way.
“And finally, the fans. I can’t thank you enough for what you have made me feel. You have given me the energy I have needed at every moment. Really, everything I have experienced has been a dream come true.
“I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way.
“I can only end by saying a thousand thanks to all and see you soon.”
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…
Featured image credit: Chris Hyde / Getty
ENTERTAINMENT
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Rob Schneider slammed for his ‘vile’ tweet response to Dikembe Mutombo’s death
By Asiya Ali
Rob Schneider has sparked backlash for his “vile” response to Dikembe Mutombo’s death.
The NBA legend, whose towering presence dominated opponents on the basketball court, sadly passed away at the age of 58.
The 7-foot-2 center spent 18 years playing in the league for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets before retiring in 2009.
Mutombo tragically died following a battle with brain cancer – which he went public with back in 2022. He was reportedly surrounded by loved ones before his death.
Actor Rob Schneider, best known for starring in Grown Ups, decided to pay tribute to the late athlete by quoting a 2021 video of the basketballer urging people to get the vaccine during the pandemic.
“Rest in Peace… I’m sure this is just (another) coincidence. But I took a pass on the Jab and I’m gonna not let anyone I know (and who will Listen) get it either!” the 60-year-old wrote on X. Check out the tweet below:
The actor was immediately slammed for his insensitive post – with many users correcting him on the cause of Mutombo’s death.
“Rob Schneider is vile. The man had cancer,” one user criticized, while another blasted: “I’m ashamed to say I enjoyed your movies as a kid. Absolutely disgusting.”
A third slammed: “If you’re so dedicated to spouting ignorant pseudoscience in the name of ‘politic’ you post this after the death of a beloved humanitarian who changed countless lives for the better & spent his life doing good, you’re too far gone to even be hated. All that’s left is to go away.”
A fourth added: “It is so crazy to see someone you once admired become a full blown s*** bag.”
Mutombo’s heartbreaking death was announced in a touching tribute statement shared by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, which read: “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life.”
“On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others,” he continued. “There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core.”
Silver continued to honor the late star’s humanitarian work, writing: “He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa.”
“I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people,” Silver said. “He was always accessible at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice, and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.”
“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues on in those who he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly,” he concluded.
Mutombo is survived by his wife Rose and three children: Carrie, JJ, and Ryan.
Our thoughts continue to be with his loved ones.
Featured image credit: Momodu Mansaray / Getty
ENTERTAINMENT
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UFC star explains why she twerked in opponent’s face after backlash from viewers
By stefan armitage
There were a lot of great moves being pulled out in the octagon during UFC Fight Night 243 on Saturday, but one move in particular had everybody talking.
During the event, Ailin Perez scored her fourth consecutive victory when she overcame Darya Zheleznyakova via submission in the first round.
Although the victory will surely help Perez climb closer to a UFC bantamweight championship bout, it was her post-fight celebration that overshadowed any championship conversations.
Immediately after making Zheleznyakova tap out, Perez got up and proceeded to twerk in her fallen opponent’s face.
The moment has left viewers divided, and after a clip of the twerk was shared on social media on Instagram user branded it “disgusting sportsmanship”.
A second added: “here’s no room in MMA for this. Karma has a funny way of humbling people. You’ll see.”
“Do that s**t on your own time,” another furious fan wrote. “This type of s**t should be FINED! Terrible sportsmanship and terrible look for the seriousness of the sport! I swear this is UFC and NOT WWE?!?!”
Others described the move as “trashy”, “unprofessional”, and “classless”.
Even UFC commentator Ariel Helwani called out Perez for the dance, writing on X: “The level of disrespect. My word.”
However, in response to Helwani, Perez explained in her own words why she performed the act, writing: “My friend @arielhelwani , Darya said some very disrespectful things about me before the fight so I had to do it […] I would love to tell you more about it on your NEW show.”
In a pre-fight interview, Perez voiced her anger about Zheleznyakova’s trash-talking, saying: “It didn’t bother me, but it did tough my ovaries.
“Fighters who talk badly about me end up paying for it in the cage. You can ask Joselyne Edwards. I know I didn’t knock her out, but I hit her quite badly in the striking. Darya is completely wrong, and I’m going to show it in the cage. The more she underestimates me the more dangerous I get.”
The controversy gained more backlash as Perez actually missed weight by half a pound – and was granted the fight because her opponent allowed it. Perez was reportedly forced to forfeit 20% of her purse to Zheleznyakova, per Yahoo Sports.
In response to the backlash – with many commenters on Instagram telling her to “stick to OnlyFans” – Perez has since shared a link to her OnlyFans page.
Perez, 29, added in a post-fight interview that she hopes to continue climbing the ranks and become the first Argentinian champion.
“I am very happy,” she said, per Sportskeeda. “This is a victory we worked hard for. We knew we were gonna win and I wanna be the first Argentinian champion.