Diamondbacks Star Ketel Marte Cries on Field After Fan’s Cruel Heckle About Deceased Mother
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was visibly distraught and broke down in tears during a game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. The emotional moment stemmed from a spectator in the stands yelling a derogatory comment about Marte’s late mother.
The distressing incident occurred while Marte was batting in the top of the seventh inning at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field. While Marte managed to continue his at-bat, the full emotional impact became clear during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh. Marte was seen sobbing near the mound, wiping away tears, as manager Torey Lovullo and teammate Geraldo Perdomo offered comfort and support.
Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, tragically passed away in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. The loss occurred shortly after Marte had spoken with her on the phone and remains a deeply sensitive topic for the player, even eight years later.
Fan Identified, Ejected, and Banned
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister immediately took action upon hearing the fan’s cruel remark. According to a team spokesperson, they requested the individual be removed from the stadium.
Reports indicate the fan, identified as a 22-year-old, was ejected from the game. Sources also confirmed that the fan admitted to making the comment and expressed remorse. As a consequence, the Chicago White Sox organization has banned the fan indefinitely from attending games at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Manager Lovullo Offers Support, Condemns Fan Behavior
Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed he heard the fan’s comment, though he declined to repeat it publicly. He noted the “immediate impact” it had on Marte, seeing the player look towards the fan before putting his head down.
Lovullo’s reaction during the pitching change was instinctive. Describing it as reacting “as a dad would,” he put his arm around Marte to console him. “I could see he was sobbing. It hurt,” Lovullo said. He shared the message he delivered to his star player: “I love you and I’m with you, and we’re all together and you’re not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn’t have an impact on you.”
Lovullo strongly condemned the fan’s behavior in post-game comments, calling it a “terrible moment” and stating frankly that fans can be “nasty” and sometimes “go too far.” Having known Marte for years and being aware of the profound impact of his mother’s death, Lovullo emphasized that players are human beings. While they are prepared for much of what comes with being in uniform, there is a “very firm, bold line” that fans should never cross with personal attacks.
Teammate Calls for MLB Action
Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo also voiced his outrage and sympathy for Marte. In what was described as an “expletive-laden rant” to the press, Perdomo highlighted Marte’s positive nature as a teammate who “plays the game hard.”
“I feel bad for him. I feel mad about it,” Perdomo stated. He was adamant that such behavior is unacceptable in Major League Baseball. “That can’t happen. We can’t continue to do that… here in MLB,” Perdomo asserted. He went further, advocating for a strong league-wide response: “He should be banned, for sure.”
Marte himself declined to comment on the incident after the game through a team official.
Despite the emotional distress, Marte had a productive game, going 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the first inning. The Diamondbacks ultimately won the game against the White Sox with a score of 4-1. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for fan behavior to cross personal lines and the deep emotional impact it can have on players.
