Ketel Marte Reveals Fan’s Cruel Taunt About Late Mother That Reduced Him to Tears

Arizona Diamondbacks Star Ketel Marte Emotional After Fan’s Cruel Taunt About Late Mother

[Image: Marte tearful on the mound; caption: Ketel Marte was visibly upset after a fan’s taunt about his late mother during a game in Chicago.]

Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte revealed he was reduced to tears during a recent game against the Chicago White Sox when a fan shouted a vicious insult about his mother, who died in a 2017 car accident. The incident occurred during the seventh inning at Guaranteed Rate Field, leading to the fan’s indefinite ban from all MLB stadiums.

Marte, 31, explained the fan yelled, “I sent your mom a text last night,” referencing his mother, Elpidia Valdez, who passed away six years ago in the Dominican Republic. “When everything happened with my mom, I was here in Chicago. I was in this city,” Marte told reporter @DannyBeisbol, emphasizing the emotional toll of the comment.

[Image: Marte and his mother; caption: Marte with his mother, Elpidia Valdez, before her tragic death.]

The fan, identified as a 22-year-old man, was swiftly ejected and banned by both the White Sox and MLB. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo condemned the behavior, calling it “nasty” and vowing to protect his players. Lovullo confronted the fan during the game, shouting, “His mom died, you dumb f***,” and later comforted Marte, who was visibly sobbing on the mound.

“I love my players, and I’m going to protect them,” Lovullo said, comparing his reaction to that of a parent. “It was a terrible moment. Fans go too far.”

[Image: Lovullo consoling Marte; caption: Manager Torey Lovullo supported Marte, calling the fan’s remark ‘disgusting.’]

Marte, a versatile infielder and Phoenix fan favorite, acknowledged the frequent heckling athletes face but stressed that targeting family crosses a line. “People always yell stuff at me, but never about my mom… May God protect [the fan] and help him heal his heart,” he said, demonstrating forgiveness despite the pain.

The incident sparked broader conversations about fan conduct in sports. MLB’s decision to issue a league-wide ban underscores its zero-tolerance stance toward harassment. The fan reportedly expressed remorse, but the punishment remains in effect pending further review.

[Image: Split photos of Marte’s mother and his game moment; caption: Elpidia Valdez (left) and Marte honoring her memory during a game.]

Marte, who regularly shares tributes to his mother on social media, including annual Mother’s Day posts, has leaned on baseball as he navigates grief. Lovullo, who has managed Marte since 2017, praised the player’s resilience: “He’s had hardships, but he’s strong. We’re all behind him.”

The Diamondbacks, standing by their star, hope the incident raises awareness about the impact of abusive fan behavior. As Marte emphasized, “When it comes to my mom, that’s where the line gets crossed.”

(Word count: ~650)