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Yankees, MLB ban fan who hit Alex Verdugo with baseball

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Verdugo hit by pitch FILE PHOTO: Alex Verdugo #99 of the Boston Red Sox gestures towards the stands during the sixth inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

One MLB fan will never be allowed inside another major league ballpark.

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The ban was issued by not only the Yankees but also Major League Baseball after the man threw a ball at Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

The announcement was made Sunday, UPI reported

Verdugo was hit in the neck when his back was turned to the left-field bleachers before the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday.

Verdugo had tossed the ball to the fans between innings but a fan threw it at him later. The person was ejected from the game, according to The New York Post and Bleacher Report.

The team started addressing the fans in left field as the umpires tried to point out the person who threw the ball, Sports Illustrated reported.

Verdugo, who was angry over being hit and was yelling at the fans, had to be restrained by first-base coach Tom Goodwin, The Associated Press reported.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora had the team leave the field mid-game to reset the mood of the players.

“When I went out there, it was loud and it got nasty — from both sides,” Cora said, according to the AP. “I just needed to calm him down. That was the whole reason that I just took everybody off the field. I’m like, where he’s at right now mentally, he’s not going to be able to play right now. No chance.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the incident “awful, embarrassing, unacceptable,” the AP reported.

The Yankees said in a statement to NJ.com: “While the Yankees appreciate the spirit and passion of our fans in our various rivalries — especially with the Red Sox — reckless, disorderly and dangerous behavior that puts the safety of players, field staff or other fans in jeopardy will not be tolerated.”

The team added: “There is absolutely no place for it at Yankee Stadium. The safety of everyone at Yankee Stadium, including guests in the stands and players on the field, will always be the top priority for the Yankees organization every time we open our doors.” NJ.com reported.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the person who threw the ball at Verdugo should be arrested while the player himself was thankful “nobody got hurt,” UPI reported.

The Yankees went on to win the game 9-1, UPI reported.


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