MLB Reportedly Bans Fan for Taunting Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte About His Late Mother

Major League Baseball has placed an indefinite ban on the fan who brought Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte to tears on the field over an insensitive remark about his late mother during Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the ban applies to all MLB ballparks.

The incident occurred when Marte was batting in the 7th inning. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters after the game that he heard what the unidentified 22-year-old said about Marte’s mother Elpidia Valdez, who died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017.

A teary-eyed Marte stared at the fan while returning to the dugout, and struggled to contain his emotions as he waited to take the field in the bottom of the inning.

Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Bannister informed Chicago’s Rate Field security about the fan, who was then ejected from the game.

”It was a terrible moment,” Lovullo said. “Fans are nasty, and fans go too far. I love my players, and I’m going to protect them.”

Lovullo and teammate Geraldo Perdomo were seen consoling Marte on the field.

“I’ve known Ketel for nine years, and he’s had some unbelievably great moments and some hardships, as well,” Lovullo said. “Some really, really tough moments in his life, and I know those. At the end of the day, we’re human beings and we have emotions. I saw him hurting, and I wanted to protect him."

“I hate it,” he added. “I hated what happened today, but I’m going to protect these guys and back them up like I’m their father.”

The White Sox showed their support for Marte with a post on X earlier today.