Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was brought to tears during Tuesday’s 4–1 win over the White Sox after a fan shouted a vile remark about his late mother. Manager Torey Lovullo immediately consoled Marte in the dugout, creating a viral moment of solidarity. As of Thursday morning, MLB has issued an indefinite ban on the fan, prompting widespread backlash and renewed conversations about grief and dignity in sports.
The game took an unexpected turn in the seventh inning when a fan targeted Marte with a derogatory remark about his mother, Elpidia Valdez, who passed away in a 2017 car accident in the Dominican Republic. Overcome with emotion, Marte was met by Lovullo and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo in the dugout. “It was a terrible moment,” Lovullo told reporters after the game. “Fans are nasty, and fans go too far sometimes. I love my players and I’m going to protect them. I’ve known Ketel for nine years and he’s had some unbelievably great moments. Some hardships as well, and some really, really tough moments in his life, and I know those.” As he comforted Marte, Lovullo added, “I love you and I’m with you and we’re all together, you’re not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy’s an idiot and shouldn’t have an impact on you.”
Earlier, Marte had powered the Diamondbacks with a solo home run in the first inning, but the fan’s taunt overshadowed his on-field contribution, prompting Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister to demand the spectator’s removal, a request swiftly honored by White Sox security.
By Thursday morning, a source confirmed to Today and other outlets that the 22-year-old fan, who later expressed remorse, calling his comments “very inappropriate and stupid,” faces a lifelong ban from MLB stadiums. The White Sox reinforced their support with a Wednesday message on their video board: “Baseball is Family. The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte,” met with applause as Marte batted. Perdomo, visibly upset, said, “I feel mad about it. I don’t know who it was, but they’ve definitely got to do something. We cannot continue to do that here in MLB.” This decisive action reflects MLB’s commitment to player well-being, earning praise online and fueling debates about fan conduct policies.
The baseball community has united behind Marte, with teammates, opponents, and fans offering support. Wednesday’s crowd at Guaranteed Rate Field gave him a standing ovation, a stark turnaround from the prior night’s hostility, symbolizing a collective stand against abuse. Marte, who has stayed silent on the matter, continues to shine, hitting .298 with 18 homers in 2025 for the 45-33 Diamondbacks. His strength amid personal loss resonates deeply, with social media posts found on X celebrating his spirit: “Ketel Marte’s toughness after that taunt is inspiring—MLB’s ban is justice!”