There was more fan foul ball drama on Saturday night, this time in Houston.
An Astros fan reached for a foul ball that was being chased down by Angels star Mike Trout.
The ball was headed for the stands and as Trout reached over the wall and caught it, Jared Whalen grabbed the ball at the identical time and took it out of Trout’s glove.
Whalen and his son were moved to different seats and the out was not recorded.
The play has been in comparison with the one within the World Series at Yankee Stadium, when two Yankee fans grabbed Mookie Betts’ arm and ripped the ball out of his glove in Game 4 — earning each an ejection from the sport and an indefinite ban from all 30 major league parks.
Whalen said he was aware of the infamous play in The Bronx.
This one was actually more innocent, with Trout even meeting with Whalen and his son following the sport.
Whalen said he was concerned the ball was headed in his son’s direction.
“I just didn’t know what was happening,” Whalen told The Athletic shortly after the incident at Daikin Park while still surrounded by security. “I didn’t understand it was a play. It was coming at my son’s face. I just reached out.”
The play occurred when Houston’s Yainer Diaz hit a fly ball down the proper field line into the primary row.
Trout seemingly caught the ball, but not for long and the proper fielder motioned to the umpires for an interference call- but none was called.
Crew chief Alan Porter bizarrely told a pool reporter that he didn’t know concerning the Betts play.
“I wasn’t within the World Series,” Porter said about why Saturday’s play was different from the Betts’ play, which was called for interference. “I don’t even remember seeing the play.”
As for Whalen, he said, “I used to be more taking a look at the ball coming for my son’s face. I made sure I wasn’t in the sector of play. I apologized, and [Trout] nodded his head and we’re good, I feel.”
Whalen was allowed to maintain the ball and he and his son met with Trout following the sport.
“I’ve got kids myself,’’ Trout said. “The way in which [Whalen] reacted, he obviously didn’t do it on purpose… Well, I don’t know if he didn’t do it on purpose, but just the best way he reacted, and his kid, they usually got moved. They probably spent hard [earned] money on those tickets.”
