The Yankees fan who got leveled by stadium security after rushing the field apologized Wednesday for the “stupid” stunt, saying he suffered a “lapse in judgment.”
Leo Lertora, 25, told The Post by phone that he had no ill intent, hours after he was cut loose by the NYPD with a desk-appearance ticket for criminal trespass and a violation of local law.
“I would like to apologize,” said the lifelong Yankees fan from Cos Cob, Conn. “It was something stupid.”
Lertora charged the field during the sixth inning of the Bombers’ Tuesday night game against the Philadelphia Phillies, but was tackled by a stadium security worker and promptly ejected.
“I didn’t mean to disrupt the game,” he insisted Wednesday. “I was obviously not really thinking about it.”
Lertora said that he understands why his escapade freaked out players and security.
“I wasn’t trying to make anyone feel threatened or scare anyone,” he said. “I know celebrities and athletes, they feel they don’t know the intention of fans and it could be intimidating.
Charles Wenzelberg
“I was just being dumb. … It was just a lapse in judgment.”
Lertora told The Post that later Wednesday he’d be getting a tattoo depicting one of his most cherished pieces of team memorabilia: A teddy bear outfitted in Yankees regalia.
“I’m getting it somewhere on my torso,” he said.
Charles Wenzelberg
Despite spending the latter innings of the game dealing with stadium security and the NYPD — and catching criminal charges, which he’ll have to answer for in court next month — Lertora said that the night had one silver lining.
“I’m happy they won yesterday,” he said, referring to the Yankees’ 6-4 triumph.
