Fan Banned Indefinitely After Heckling Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte

In a distressing incident during a Major League Baseball game, a 22-year-old fan was banned indefinitely from Rate Field after heckling Arizona Diamondbacks' second baseman Ketel Marte with derogatory comments regarding his deceased mother. The event unfolded on June 24, 2025, during a game against the Chicago White Sox, where Marte visibly reacted to the taunts, ultimately brought to tears by the inappropriate remarks.

Witnesses reported the incident occurring during Marte's at-bat in the seventh inning, amid the Diamondbacks' 4-1 victory. A spokesperson for the White Sox confirmed that security officials removed the fan after he expressed remorse for his behavior, acknowledging that his comments were both inappropriate and foolish.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister were instrumental in ensuring the fan's removal. Lovullo described his interaction with the spectator as 'gross' and emphasized the necessity for better conduct from baseball fans. He stated, 'It was just a gross comment you wouldn’t say about anybody, let alone someone who lost their mom. We need better baseball fans. Baseball deserves better.'

Marte has faced personal tragedy, with the loss of his mother, Elpidia Valdez, in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Following the incident, Marte was visibly upset during a pitching change, prompting Lovullo to offer his support. 'I could see he was sobbing. It hurt,' Lovullo remarked, adding that he reassured Marte of the team's support and that the fan’s comments should not affect him.

Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo condemned the fan's actions, echoing calls for Major League Baseball to take further action against such behavior. 'That can’t happen. We can’t continue to do that ... here in MLB,' he stated.

The incident has reignited discussions about the responsibilities of fans during sporting events and the impact of verbal abuse on players, particularly those dealing with personal losses. As the season progresses, the Diamondbacks and MLB may need to reinforce their policies against abusive behavior in stadiums to foster a more respectful environment for players and fans alike.