Yankees robbed of home run against Rays due to a fan interference as Jeffrey Maier memories resurface 30 years later - Watch Viral Video

A moment of excitement soon became a big frustration for the New York Yankees during their crucial elimination game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. What initially looked like a game-tying home run from Anthony Volpe ended in disappointment after a fan's interference changed everything. According to USA Today, the incident at Yankee Stadium not only cost the Yankees a crucial run but also brought back memories of Jeffrey Maier's infamous playoff game incident that happened 30 years ago, when a similar situation actually worked in the New York franchise's favor.

VOLPE'S APPARENT HOME RUN OVERTURNED AFTER FAN INTERFERENCE

Yankees were desperately trying to stay alive against Tampa Bay but suddenly the drama occured during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series.


With two outs, Volpe connected with a 1-0 sinker and sent the ball toward left field. All of a sudden the mood in the Yankee Stadium changed as crowd got erupted, believing the hit had tied the game with a two-run homer.

However, Rays left fielder Victor Mesa Jr., who was positioned underneath the ball, immediately protested after a spectator reached over the fence.

Video replays showed the ball striking the fan's outstretched arms before dropping beyond the wall. Following a review, officials ruled fan interference and awarded Volpe a double instead of a home run.

Replay officials explained that the spectator had interfered with a ball still in play and determined it would neither have cleared the fence nor been caught. The Yankees managed to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Spencer Jones struck out, leaving Volpe stranded at second base.

JEFFREY MAIER'S CONTROVERSIAL 1996 CATCH RETURNS TO HAUNT YANKEES

According to a USA Today report, the incident brought back memories of October 9, 1996 when 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier reached over the right-field wall and grabbed Derek Jeter's fly ball during Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against Baltimore.

Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco insisted at that time that he could have caught it but umpire Rich Garcia awarded Jeter a game-tying home run. Since there was no replay review available in those day, the decision went into Yankees favor.

The Yankees eventually won in 11 innings through Bernie Williams' homer before going on to capture the AL pennant and World Series.

Three decades later, the tables had turned. Maier's interference helped New York, while Wednesday's spectator denied the Yankees a potentially decisive home run.