Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was visibly distraught during a recent game against the Chicago White Sox, breaking down in tears on the field after a fan reportedly made a cruel comment referencing his late mother.
The deeply emotional incident occurred at Guaranteed Rate Field during the seventh inning. Marte had just finished his at-bat, and shortly after, a spectator in the stands allegedly yelled something derogatory about his mother. The impact was immediate and profound, with Marte seen clearly upset and needing several moments to compose himself.
Support from Teammates and Manager
In a poignant display of solidarity, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and teammate Geraldo Perdomo quickly approached Marte on the infield during a pitching change to offer comfort and support. Lovullo put an arm around his player, who wiped away tears.
Lovullo, who has managed Marte for nine seasons, later described the moment with father-like concern. He confirmed hearing the fan’s remarks, though he declined to repeat the specific words. “It was a terrible moment,” Lovullo told reporters after the game, expressing his commitment to protecting his players from such abuse. “Fans are nasty, and fans go too far sometimes… We’re human beings and we have emotions. I saw him hurting, and I wanted to protect him.”
Lovullo shared the words of encouragement he offered Marte on the field: “I love you and I’m with you and we’re all together, you’re not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy’s an idiot and shouldn’t have an impact on you.”
Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo also voiced his strong condemnation of the fan’s actions. Feeling “mad” and “sad” for his teammate, Perdomo emphasized the unacceptable nature of such personal attacks. “That can’t happen,” Perdomo stated, calling for the fan to face consequences beyond ejection. “We can’t continue to do that s here in MLB… He should be banned, for sure.”
A Painful History
The fan’s taunt struck a particularly sensitive chord for Marte, as it related to the tragic passing of his mother, Elpidia Valdez. She died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017, during Marte’s first season with the Diamondbacks. Sources close to Marte indicate that his mother was “the world to him,” and her death was a deeply painful event that continues to affect him. Adding to the unfortunate circumstances, Marte was also playing in Chicago when he received the devastating news in 2017 and had to leave the team. The recent heckle resurfaced this profound loss eight years later.
Fan Ejection and Calls for Further Action*
Reports from the Arizona Republic and other sources confirm that the fan responsible for the comment was ejected from Guaranteed Rate Field following the incident. However, it remains unclear if Major League Baseball or the White Sox organization will take any further disciplinary action, a point highlighted by those calling for a permanent ban.
Despite the emotional distress, Marte remained in the game. Earlier in the contest, he had already made a positive impact, hitting a solo home run in the first inning. He finished the game 2-for-4. The Diamondbacks went on to win the game against the White Sox by a score of 4-1.
Marte, a reigning Silver Slugger and currently having an MVP-contending season, is the longest-tenured player on the Diamondbacks roster, having joined the team in 2017. His performance and leadership are vital to the team.
In a show of support for their star player and to honor his late mother, Diamondbacks fans are reportedly organizing to wear pink during the team’s upcoming home series against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. The incident underscores the damaging impact personal and targeted heckling can have on athletes, and the strong support system Marte has within his team and fanbase. Marte himself declined to speak on the situation after the game.
