Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was overcome with emotion during a game against the Chicago White Sox after a fan allegedly shouted a disturbing comment about his late mother. The incident, which unfolded during the top of the seventh inning, left Marte visibly shaken and wiping away tears at second base.
“People always yell stuff at me, but never about my mom. It’s getting out of hand,” Marte said after the game, holding back emotion as he spoke to reporters.
The fan’s comment referenced Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, who tragically died in a car accident in 2017 — a loss that occurred while Marte was in Chicago, making the insult particularly painful. Marte, 31, has long been known for playing with heart and humility, making the attack even more disturbing to those who witnessed it.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo immediately walked out to comfort his second baseman after sensing something was wrong. Lovullo later confirmed that he was aware of what the fan had said and requested that stadium security intervene.
The White Sox security team swiftly identified and ejected the 22-year-old fan from Guaranteed Rate Field. In response to the severity of the incident, Major League Baseball issued an indefinite ban, prohibiting the individual from attending any MLB games in the future.
“That can’t happen. We can’t continue to do that here in MLB,” said teammate Geraldo Perdomo. “He should be banned, for sure.”
Despite the emotional weight of the moment, Marte displayed remarkable composure and focus. He went 2-for-4, including a home run, and played a key role in the Diamondbacks’ 4–1 win over the White Sox. His performance lifted his batting average to .313 with a 1.012 OPS, underscoring his MVP-level season.
“He’s the heart of our team,” Lovullo said. “To see him go through that and still perform says everything you need to know about his character.”
MLB and White Sox Condemn Behavior
Both MLB and the Chicago White Sox released statements condemning the behavior and reaffirming their commitment to player safety and respect.
“There is no place in baseball for personal attacks of any kind,” read the league’s statement. “We stand with Ketel Marte and support his courage and dignity.”
Marte, who has faced adversity both on and off the field, continues to be a model of professionalism. Yet he hopes this moment brings change.
“I try to be strong. But some things just cross the line,” he said.