Out-of-Control Twins Fan Recalls Time He Muttered 'Nice Catch…Not' at Opposition

The 2024 World Series ended Wednesday, with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking Game 5 from the New York Yankees, 7-6. While the Bronx Bombers were clearly outplayed, they managed to provide the Series’s most infamous moment, when a pair of Yankees fans attempted to remove a foul ball from Mookie Betts’s glove in Game 4.

“That could’ve been me,” said Neil Matthewson, 58, a Twins season ticket holder. “It’s embarrassing, but it’s true.”

The Chaska native told Twins Daily that he’s had some less-than-admirable moments in his seats along the right field line at Target Field.

“We were in a real tense game against the Blue Jays a couple years ago, and Teoscar Hernández lost a ball in the sun,” said Matthewson. “I said, ‘Nice catch…not,’ under my breath, but I’m pretty sure the usher heard me. She kinda laughed, but I’m not proud of it.”

Matthewson said this was not the first time he went “beast mode” at the park.

“When Aaron Bummer was with the White Sox, he walked the bases loaded and got pulled,” said the advertising executive. “I stood up and clapped for him, but it was pretty clear that I was being sarcastic. There were some kids in the area, so I made sure to apologize to them and their parents.”

He said that he doesn’t know where this darkness comes from, and that while he doesn’t condone the behavior of the Yankees fans in Game 4, he understands it.

“I just really am passionate about the Minnesota Twins, like they are for New York, and we want them to succeed,” said Matthewson. “But sometimes it can go overboard. For example, I was behind a car with a Guardians bumper sticker on 212 the other day that changed lanes without signaling. I leaned on my horn pretty good, even though it didn’t bother me any. Not a great moment for ol’ Neil.”

Matthewson’s friends and family confirm that he’s almost always easygoing and non-confrontational, but that sometimes “the animal” comes out when the Twins are involved.

“When Houston eliminated the Twins from the playoffs last year, Dad took it hard,” said his son, Parker. “He actually stood up after the last out, put both hands on the railing in front of him, lowered his head, and said, and I quote, ‘Dammit.’

“He said he was sorry the entire drive home and asked if the Twins might take his season tickets away.”

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