Ketel Marte reveals banned fan joked about texting his late mother during D-Backs-White Sox game
Ketel Marte received immediate support from the Diamondbacks and MLB after an emotional night on the field Wednesday. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte has provided his own account of the incident that left him in tears on the field on Wednesday.
In an Instagram Live interview with Spanish-language journalist Yancen Pujols, the two-time All-Star revealed that a fan at a Chicago White Sox game yelled something along the lines of "I sent your mom a text last night." Marte's mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in 2017.
Advertisement
Marte said the heckle hit especially hard because Marte was in Chicago when he learned his mother had died. His comments, as interpreted by the @dannybeisbol Instagram account.
"I want to thank all of the fans who have been concerned about me. What happened was, seventh inning, I came to bat. I'm ready at the plate. I hear this fan shouting, he was on top of the dugout. He yelled at me, saying stuff about my mom. He was like, 'I sent your mom a text last night.'
"When everything happened with my mom, I was here in Chicago. I was in this city. My manager had my back. They kicked the fan out. I don't think he'll be allowed back in the parks."
It's unclear what else the fan, who was banned indefinitely from all MLB parks the next day, said anything else or was even aware of Marte's past with his mother. Per ESPN, the fan was very apologetic and remorseful when reached, calling his comments "very inappropriate and stupid."
After the heckle, Marte was seen visibly crying on the field during a pitching change and was upset enough that Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo came out to comfort him. Both Lovullo and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo stood by Marte after the game, with Perdomo calling for the fan to be banned.
Both teams involved in the incident showed their support for Marte, as did MLB. The White Sox posted a message reading "The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte" on the scoreboard at Rate Field during their game on Thursday. The team was also the first to ban the fan from its park, with MLB commending the decision and following suit for the league's 29 other stadiums.
Advertisement
Marte said he was praying for the fan involved and that he hadn't heard any heckles about his mother before Wednesday:
"Yes, I think something needs to be done about the fans. It's getting out of hand. People always yell stuff at me, but never about my mom. People know that my mom passed away in an accident. But anyways, we're praying for him and his family too. May God protect them and help him heal his heart.
"They're always yelling things at me, but I don't mind. But when it comes to my mom that's where the line gets crossed."
Marte is currently on pace for the best season of his career and is among the contenders for the NL MVP award after finishing third in voting last season. The reigning Silver Slugger at second base is currently slashing .313/.416/.596 with 15 homers, but went 0-for-4 against the White Sox on Thursday. He is the longest tenured member of the Diamondbacks, going back to 2017.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason
The Cincinnati Bengals remade the roster this offseason through free agency and the draft, never mind the big-name departures. Much of the Bengals 53-man depth chart changes will happen on the defensive side of the ball, where mainstays like Germaine Pratt and Sam Hubbard are out and even rookies can step into major starting roles. Advertisement Here's a quick rundown of an updated 53-man roster prediction heading into July. Quarterback (2): Joe Burrow, Jake BrowningCut: Logan Woodside, Payton Thorne No shockers here, with the third quarterback possibly stashed on the practice squad. Running back (3): Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Zack MossCut: Gary Brightwell, Tahj Brooks, Quali Conley, Kendall Milton The Bengals really like Tahj Brooks, but finding a roster spot at the expense of another could be tricky. RELATED: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route Wide receiver (6): Ja'Marr Chase, Jermaine Burton, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Jordan MooreCut: Cole Burgess, Jamoi Mayes, Rashod Owens, Mitchell Tinsley, Isaiah Williams, Kendric Pryor Undrafted Jordan Moore just edges out Isaiah Williams, a former waiver wire claim, for the final spot. It's one of the more heated battles about to unfold. Tight end (4): Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Tanner McLachlanCut: Cam Grandy, Kole TaylorIR: Erick All Jr. Advertisement Erick All Jr. is a bigger loss than most have acknowledged nationally. Offensive line (10): Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Matt Lee, Dylan Fairchild, Lucas Patrick, Amarius Mims, Cody Ford, Jaxson Kirkland, Jalen RiversCut: Devin Cochran, Seth McLaughlin, Tashawn Manning, Andrew Coker, Caleb Etienne, Andrew Stueber The Bengals would probably love to find room for Seth McLaughlin, but he's an injury-list candidate, perhaps. Defensive line (10): T.J. Slaton, B.J. Hill, Kris Jenkins, McKinnley Jackson, Trey Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai, Cedric Johnson, Myles Murphy, Cam Sample, Shemar StewartCut: Raymond Johnson III, Isaiah Thomas, Dante Barnett, Howard Cross III, Eric Gregory This is a big number to keep, but the lack of experience and need for versatility almost demands it. Linebacker (5): Logan Wilson, Maema Njongmeta, Barrett Carter, Oren Burks, Demetrius Knight Shaka Heyward, Craig Young, Joe Giles-Harris Advertisement The remake is complete, with Demetrius Knight starting next to Logan Wilson. Cornerback (6): Dax Hill, DJ Turner, Cam Taylor-Britt, Josh Newton, DJ Ivey, Jalen DavisCut: Nate Brooks, Jalen Davis, Lance Robinson, Bralyn Lux, Marco Wilson The youth movement will see Josh Newton get some big snaps, rotating with the new, young Big Three here. Safety (4): Jordan Battle, Geno Stone, Tycen Anderson, Daijahn AnthonyCut: P.J. Jules, Jaylen Key, Shaquan Loyal The Bengals are adamant about going with the Stone-Battle combo again. The backups remain intriguing depth pieces, at least. Special Teams (3): Evan McPherson, Ryan Rehkow, Cal AdomitisCut: William Wagner No drama here this offseason after names like Austin McNamara provided intrigue last offseason. RELATED: Bengals standouts after mandatory minicamp includes surprises This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bond set for man accused of trying to run over MS officer
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man accused of trying to run a Southaven, Mississippi, police officer over in a stolen car last week is now being held in jail on a $250,000 bond. Marcus Coleman's bond was revoked on Monday; however, according to the DeSoto County jail log, a bond was set after he appeared in court on Wednesday. Coleman, 20, is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Conspiracy to commit a crime – felony, Disorderly Conduct – failure to comply, Suspended Drivers License, Fleeing/Eluding an officer in a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Possession of Paraphernalia, Receiving Stolen Property – Felony, Resisting Arrest, and Violation of Probation. On June 18, officers with the Southaven Police Department responded to reports of a stolen vehicle located at the Sonic on 1185 Main Street. The suspect was found near the location, but when officers attempted to stop him, he allegedly rammed officers with the stolen car. Police say the suspect then tried to run over one of the officers, and shots were fired. Bond revoked for man accused of trying to run down MS officer After a brief foot pursuit, Southaven Police say the suspect was taken into custody. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with ramming MS officer must serve sentence in previous case
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — The man accused of trying to run a Southaven, Mississippi, officer over in a stolen car will serve a five-year sentence after he violated his post-release supervision in another case, according to the DeSoto County District Attorney's Office. Coleman, 20, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, conspiracy to commit a crime, disorderly conduct, suspended driver's license, fleeing/eluding an officer in a motor vehicle, two counts of possession of paraphernalia, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and violation of probation. The attorney's office said that in December 2024, he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to five years of post-release supervision, but because of the alleged incident on June 13, those five years have been revoked. They said Coleman will be remanded to the Mississippi Department of Corrections to serve the full sentence. The attorney's office said Coleman's new charges are still pending indictment, and they are working with law enforcement to pursue those to the fullest extent of the law. ORIGINAL: Shots fired after man allegedly tries to hit MS officer with stolen car Marcus Coleman's bond was revoked on June 16; however, according to the DeSoto County Jail log, a bond was set after he appeared in court on June 18. His bond was set to $250,000. On June 13, officers with the Southaven Police Department responded to reports of a stolen vehicle located at the Sonic on 1185 Main Street. The suspect was found near the location, but when officers attempted to stop him, he allegedly rammed officers with the stolen car. Police say the suspect then tried to run over one of the officers, and shots were fired. After a brief foot pursuit, Southaven Police say the suspect was taken into custody. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
