A Los Angeles Dodgers fan pulled a Jeffrey Maier during Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Friday night.
New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres was batting against Michael Kopech in the top of the ninth inning with the bases empty and two outs. Torres had a 2-1 count and swatted a 99 mph fastball up and in to deep left-center field. The ball looked like it might go for a home run, but there was some uncertainty after a fan reached over the wall and caught the ball.
Fan interference was called immediately, and Torres was given a ground-rule double. The call was reviewed and upheld.
The play brought up memories of Maier, who reached over the wall to catch a ball batted by Derek Jeter during the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS between the Yankees and Orioles. The difference is that unlike what happened with the Dodgers fan where things were called properly, Jeter was credited with a home run that he shouldn’t have been given. The home run call allowed the Yankees to tie the game, which they later won in extra innings. They won the series in five games and advanced to the 1996 World Series.
During Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, the call was pivotal and helped the Dodgers, who were able to get out of the jam without allowing a run. The umpires got this one correct.
