Ketel Marte Overcome by Emotion After Fan's Inappropriate Heckle

During a tense moment in the seventh inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte found himself in tears after a fan hurled a hurtful comment regarding his late mother.

The incident unfolded at Chicago's Rate Field on June 24, when a male spectator shouted something about Marte's mother, Elpidia Valdez, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2017. This loss remains a sensitive subject for Marte, who had spoken to her shortly before the accident.

As the game progressed, Marte's emotional response became evident. He was consoled by Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo near the pitcher's mound during a pitching change. The exact words from the heckler remain unclear, but their impact was unmistakable.

Lovullo, 59, took immediate action, requesting the ejection of the fan. A team spokesperson confirmed that the heckler has been banned indefinitely from attending future White Sox home games. Reports indicate that the individual is a 22-year-old who expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the inappropriateness of his comments.

After the game, Marte chose not to comment on the incident, despite having contributed to his team's 4-1 victory with a home run in the first inning. However, Lovullo shared his observations of Marte's distress. “I could see he was sobbing,” Lovullo recounted. “It hurt. I told him, ‘I love you and I’m with you and we’re all together and you’re not alone. No matter what happens, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn’t have an impact on you.’”

Lovullo noted that the heckling had an immediate effect on Marte, prompting him to respond as a father would to comfort his player. He emphasized that Marte's mother meant everything to him.

Perdomo, 25, voiced his frustration and called for league action against such behavior. “That can’t happen,” he stated. “Everybody knows how Ketel is. He’s fun. He plays the game hard. I feel bad for him. I feel mad about it. I hope MLB can do something with that guy.” He insisted that measures must be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Marte continues to excel on the field, boasting an impressive .320 batting average with 15 home runs and 32 RBIs this season, further solidifying his status as a two-time All-Star and the MVP of the 2023 National League Championship Series.