An emotional scene unfolded during Tuesday night’s MLB matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox, when Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was brought to tears after a fan shouted a disturbing comment about his mother… who tragically died in a car accident in 2017.
Marte, a beloved All-Star known for his passion and heart on the field, was at bat in the top of the seventh inning when the heartless remark was made from the stands at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister immediately called for the fan to be removed.
According to the team, Lovullo personally heard the comment and confirmed it targeted Marte’s late mother, Elpidia Valdez, who passed away in the Dominican Republic eight years ago.
Despite having hit a solo home run earlier in the game, Marte appeared visibly shaken during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh. Cameras captured the emotional moment as Lovullo comforted the tearful infielder in the dugout, wrapping his arm around him in support.
“I just reacted as a dad would,” Lovullo told reporters. “He was sobbing. It broke my heart. I told him, ‘You’re not alone. We love you. That fan is an idiot… don’t let that get to you.’”
Marte chose not to speak publicly about the incident, but the show of solidarity from teammates was loud and clear. Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo expressed his anger, saying the fan “should be banned for sure” and called on Major League Baseball to take action.
“This is a game for the fans, but there’s a line you just don’t cross,” Perdomo told MLB.com. “What was said was cruel and unacceptable. We support Ketel all the way.”
Arizona went on to win the game 4-1, but the emotional toll on Marte served as a reminder of the personal battles many athletes carry with them… even under the brightest lights.
