Arizona Diamondbacks Star Ketel Marte Overwhelmed by Emotional Incident During Game
In a deeply emotional moment during the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on June 24, 2025, star second baseman Ketel Marte was brought to tears after an opposing fan made a cruel comment about his late mother. Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, tragically passed away in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017.
The fan’s offensive remarks led to his immediate and indefinite ban from all Major League Baseball (MLB) venues, sparking a wave of support for Marte from fans and players alike.
During a recent interview on the podcast "Danny Beisbol," the 31-year-old All-Star revealed the hurtful comment made by the fan. He recounted, “As I was about to bat in the seventh inning, I heard a fan shout from atop the dugout, ‘I sent your mom a text last night.’ It was especially painful because when my mother passed, I was in Chicago.”
Marte expressed his concern about the increasing hostility displayed by fans at games, stating, "Fan behavior is getting out of hand."
In response to the incident, MLB issued a statement commending the White Sox for their swift action in addressing the fan’s behavior. The Diamondbacks faced the White Sox again the following day, where the home team displayed a supportive message on their scoreboard during the first inning: "Baseball is Family: The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte."
During the pitching change in the seventh inning, Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo offered comfort to a visibly shaken Marte, emphasizing that such behavior from fans is unacceptable. “It was a terrible moment. Fans can be nasty and go too far,” Lovullo stated. He reassured Marte that he wasn’t alone and described the heckler as "an idiot."
After the game, Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo also called for consequences for the fan’s actions, insisting, “That can’t happen. We can’t allow that in MLB."
In the midst of this emotional turmoil, Ketel Marte continues to excel on the field, boasting a .316 batting average with 14 home runs and 31 RBIs over 52 games this season.
For more updates on sports, follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for the latest news.
Written by Jackson Thompson, a seasoned sports writer for Fox News Digital, who has previously contributed to ESPN and Business Insider, covering major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals.
