Ketel Marte Breaks Down in Tears After Fan Heckles Him About Late Mother

Published: June 25, 2025

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was overcome with emotion during Tuesday night's game against the Chicago White Sox after a fan yelled something about his late mother, Elpidia Valdez, who died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017.

Ketel Marte at Rate Field in Chicago on June 23, 2025.

Television cameras captured Marte, 31, with tears streaming down his face during a pitching change in the top of the seventh inning during Arizona's 4-1 win over the White Sox. His teammates and coach consoled him during the break in the action, as announcers speculated about what was wrong.

"I could see he was sobbing. It hurt," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. "[I told him], 'I love you and I'm with you and we're all together and you're not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn't have an impact on you.'"

Teammate Geraldo Perdomo was "incensed" after the game, saying, "That can't happen. We can't continue to do that s--- here in MLB." The fan, a 22-year-old man, was immediately removed from Chicago's Rate Field after Lovullo requested security to respond to the situation in the seventh inning.

From Left: Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte at Rate Field in Chicago on June 24, 2025.

The fan apologized following the incident, but a spokesperson for the Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed that the fan has been "banned" from Chicago's Rate Field.

On social media, a growing number of White Sox fans called for those attending Thursday's game to give Marte a standing ovation to show their support.

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