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USA Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ketel Marte showered with love in return home after ugly incident with heckler
PHOENIX — The moment his name was announced Friday night, the fans immediately rose to their feet, clapped their hands, and cheered so loudly that Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte walked away from the plate. Marte was overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes reddened. He took off his helmet, raised it high with his right hand and saluted the crowd, pounded his chest with his left arm, and exhaled, before stepping back into the batter's box. Diamondbacks fans expressed their genuine love and let him know that while it may be fine to boo the opposition, even taunt opposing players if you choose, you simply cannot cross the line between fandom and sheer hatred. We love you, Ketel 🩷 'They're always yelling things that maybe I don't mind,'' Marte said on a Spanish-language podcast that was published Friday, 'but when it comes to my mom, that's when the line gets crossed.'' Marte declined to speak about Tuesday's ugly incident that left him in tears on the field at Rate Field against the Chicago White Sox, and told public relations officials he won't speak about it again. But the fans spoke loudly for him. 'I think it's very powerful,'' D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. 'It's a great statement of support and love and connection. At the end of the day, we all want to be a better human being.'' Marte, the leading vote-getter to be the National League's starting second baseman at the All-Star Game, was left sobbing Tuesday when he heard a White Sox fan yell: 'I sent you mom a text last night.'' Marte's mother is dead. She died in a car accident in 2017, and Marte was in Chicago when he got the news that day. The fan brought back all of the heartbreak in a flood of emotion. 'I'm ready at the plate, I hear this fan shouting,'' Marte said on the podcast. 'He yelled at me saying stuff about my mom. He was like, 'I sent your mom a text last night.' When everything happened I was here in Chicago. … 'People aways yell at me, but never about my mom. People know that my mom passed away in an accident.'' Lovullo immediately rushed to Marte's defense, ran from the dugout onto the field, and put his arm around Marte. Lovullo walked back towards the dugout, confronted the fan, and made sure he was ejected from the game. The fan was not only ejected, but also banned for life from all Major League Baseball stadiums. 'I just wear my heart on my sleeve, and I'm going to say what I believe and what I really mean,' Lovullo said after the incident. 'They were authentic words, and I think the entire group felt the same way as I did. I have no problem crying, believing in the things that are so important to me.' When Marte came to the ballpark the following day, he was greeted by two notes from White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf apologizing for the fan's behavior, assuring him it was not acceptable. White Sox manager Will Venable called to express his sympathy. The White Sox put a message on the scoreboard before Marte came to the plate the following day that read: 'The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte.' 'I think Major League Baseball did a great job, I think the Chicago White Sox did an amazing job as well,'' Lovullo said. 'I just appreciated that they followed their own internal protocol, which is to eliminate the stimulus from the stadium. There's protocols that the security guards had to follow, which they did, and I'm grateful for that. 'So, the protocols are to eliminate the stimulus, let them know, get them out of the stadium, and then you just pick up the pieces.'' Yet, once again, ugly fan incidents are occurring far too frequently. 'I think something about the fans,'' Marte said. 'It's getting out of hand.'' The Pittsburgh Pirates had two different episodes with fans at Comerica Park in Detroit last week. Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was berated with obscenities and gestures from fans during the game, and at least two fans were ejected. It's as if hate has become a rallying cry in ballparks and stadiums across the country. Well, the Diamondbacks fans on this night against the Miami Marlins did everything possible to replace that hatred with love, wildly cheering Marte every time his name was announced before the game, building to a crescendo as he stepped to the plate in the first inning. The fans have since even donated more than $18,000 to the Diamondbacks Foundation in the name of Marte's mother. 'I want to say thank you to all the fans that have really supported Ketel ….'' Lovullo said. 'I just appreciate what everybody's done. Ketel is doing fine. He's managing it very, very well. … He's just so authentic and genuine, and really, you can't help but love him. 'I know that he really appreciates the love and support that he's feeling.'' Follow Nightengale on X: @BNightengale
Toronto Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Video emerges of Arizona manager confronting Ketel Marte heckler: ‘You dumb f***'
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo appears to yell at fan who made comments about the star's late mother. Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo yells towards a fan who was heckling players. TikTok Torey Lovullo wasn't messing around when he heard a fan heckling one of his players. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a video first posted on TikTok, the Arizona manager was seen angrily pointing out the fan who allegedly had been taunting Ketel Marte about his late mother – bringing the Diamondbacks star to tears on the field. During the clip from Tuesday night's game against the White Sox in Chicago, Lovullo is seen yelling at the fan before gesturing towards security to have him thrown out. 'Dumb f***,' Lovullo appears to say in video. 'His mom died, you dumb f***. Dumb f***.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Arizona bench coach Jeff Banister can also be seen pointing the fan out to security during the exchange. TikTok user smartasskris, who posted the clip of Lovullo, also revealed more details about the fan in the caption of the post. 'This was our first game at Rate Field. We were sitting about 7 rows behind home plate, heard bits and pieces of the heckling (had gotten progressively worse over time), saw Ketel Marte become visibly upset, teammates standing up for him, and saw Torey Louvello (sp) call for the fan's ejection,' she wrote. 'Great job by White Sox security for understanding the gravity of the situation. While it hurt to watch Marte shaken up, it was a good lesson in sportsmanship for others (what we don't do and what we should not tolerate), and appreciation and maturity of these young players who grieve and have feelings like anyone else.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The TikToker also posted a video of the fan being removed from the stadium by security personnel. This is the fan who yesterday in Chicago yelled a remark at the Dbacks' Ketel Marte about his mother, who sadly passed away in a car accident eight years got what he deserved for being a fucking hateful POS. Now you're banned for life from every @MLB ballpark. — Dodgers fan (@MaskaF56959) June 25, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Marte was seen in tears on the field after the spectator yelled a derogatory comment about Marte's late mother during a seventh-inning at-bat in Arizona's 4-1 win over Chicago. The infielder was visibly upset during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh as Lovullo put his arm around his player and consoled him. Marte's mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 22-year-old fan, who was seen wearing a Chicago Bears jersey, has now been banned from all MLB ball parks for the incident. According to a White Sox spokesperson, the security staff at the ballpark relayed that the fan was 'very apologetic and remorseful after the fact, and admitted to being very inappropriate and stupid with his comments.' During Wednesday's game in Chicago, the White Sox posted a notice on their scoreboard showing their support for Marte. — With Associated Press files Toronto Raptors CFL Canada Celebrity Sunshine Girls
NBC Sports
25-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Report: Fan banned by MLB after heckling Dbacks' Ketel Marte to tears with barb about late mother
Brad Thomas and Vaughn Dalzell discuss MLB futures markets, discussing why Pirates' Paul Skenes is the best bet for Cy Young, while Brewers' rookie Jacob Misiorowski is making a strong case for Rookie of the Year. A fan who heckled Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday night has been banned indefinitely from all major league stadiums, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. Marte was seen in tears on the field after the spectator yelled a derogatory comment about Marte's late mother during a seventh-inning at-bat in Arizona's 4-1 win over Chicago. According to a White Sox spokesperson, the security staff at the ballpark relayed that the 22-year-old fan was 'very apologetic and remorseful after the fact, and admitted to being very inappropriate and stupid with his comments.' Another person confirmed to the AP that Major League Baseball had banned the fan from all big league stadiums. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because the punishment wasn't announced by the league. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister asked for the fan to be removed from the game. Before Wednesday's series finale, Lovullo said he 'had little bit of an interaction with the fan' as he was yelling at Marte. 'He wasn't getting it and was very pompous, and it didn't sit right with me,' Lovullo said. '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's mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Marte, who hit a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday night, was seen visibly upset during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh as Lovullo put his arm around his player and consoled him. 'I just reacted as a dad would when I went out to change pitchers,' Lovullo said, according to the Arizona Republic. 'I could see he was sobbing. It hurt.' "(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.'' Marte declined to comment on the incident through a team official. Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said the fan 'should be banned, for sure' and called for MLB to intervene. 'That can't happen,' Perdomo said. 'We can't continue to do that ... here in MLB.'
25-06-2025
- Sport
Arizona Diamondbacks fighting their way through a rash of injuries
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been snakebit all season. Injuries plagued the club in spring training and have continued to wreak havoc as the season reaches the midpoint, leaving manager Torey Lovullo searching for answers as he tries to cobble together a daily lineup. 'I have not seen anything like this,' Lovullo said from Chicago this week. 'Usually, you have a bad week or a bad month, or two guys in a 30-day period of time that will go down, but it's just been one after another. It's frustrating. I feel for the players. I feel for this team.' It's been painful. Left-hander Corbin Burnes, signed to a $210 million, six-year deal in January, lasted 11 starts before going down with a season-ending elbow injury. He followed fellow starter Jordan Montgomery and proceeded key reliever Justin Martinez in needing Tommy John surgery. Reliever A.J. Puk also needs elbow surgery, to repair his left ulnar collateral ligament, a procedure that could turn into Tommy John. Pitchers Tommy Henry, Blake Walston and Christian Montes de Oca also are out for the season. Catcher Gabriel Moreno has been out with a broken finger after being hit by a foul ball on June 15. Backup catcher Adrian Del Castillo has dealt with shoulder and back issues, spoiling his chance to move up from Triple-A Reno to replace Moreno. The hits kept coming this week. Arizona placed All Star outfielder Corbin Carroll on the injured list with a chip fracture in his left wrist before Tuesday's game against the White Sox, then watched infielder Ildemaro Vargas go down with a broken foot after being hit by a pitch in the second inning. Carroll has been out since being hit by a pitch on June 18. Third baseman Eugenio Suárez has been out of the lineup since being hit on the hand by a pitch on Monday. First baseman Josh Naylor also was injured on Monday, straining his right shoulder on an awkward swing, but returned to the lineup on Wednesday. 'It's part of the game, but we've taken on a lot, there's no denying that," Lovullo said. "A lot of teams have. I don't want anybody to feel sorry for us. But it's our turn to go out there and figure out how to get the job done, and that's where my main focus is right now.' The Diamondbacks have managed to keep their focus during the rash of injuries. With Tuesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox, Arizona has won 10 of 14 to move back into the NL wild card picture. The Diamondbacks aren't out of the NL West race, either, entering Wednesday's game 2 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. 'We've just got to push through it,' Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas said. 'The vibe in the clubhouse, are still high. We still come every day to the field with our chin up and smiles on our faces.' Some of those smiles are more like grimaces, but the Diamondbacks have found a way to grit their way through.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Arizona Diamondbacks fighting their way through a rash of injuries
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been snakebit all season. Injuries plagued the club in spring training and have continued to wreak havoc as the season reaches the midpoint, leaving manager Torey Lovullo searching for answers as he tries to cobble together a daily lineup. 'I have not seen anything like this,' Lovullo said from Chicago this week. 'Usually, you have a bad week or a bad month, or two guys in a 30-day period of time that will go down, but it's just been one after another. It's frustrating. I feel for the players. I feel for this team.' It's been painful. Left-hander Corbin Burnes, signed to a $210 million, six-year deal in January, lasted 11 starts before going down with a season-ending elbow injury. He followed fellow starter Jordan Montgomery and proceeded key reliever Justin Martinez in needing Tommy John surgery. Reliever A.J. Puk also needs elbow surgery, to repair his left ulnar collateral ligament, a procedure that could turn into Tommy John. Pitchers Tommy Henry, Blake Walston and Christian Montes de Oca also are out for the season. Catcher Gabriel Moreno has been out with a broken finger after being hit by a foul ball on June 15. Backup catcher Adrian Del Castillo has dealt with shoulder and back issues, spoiling his chance to move up from Triple-A Reno to replace Moreno. The hits kept coming this week. Arizona placed All Star outfielder Corbin Carroll on the injured list with a chip fracture in his left wrist before Tuesday's game against the White Sox, then watched infielder Ildemaro Vargas go down with a broken foot after being hit by a pitch in the second inning. Carroll has been out since being hit by a pitch on June 18. Third baseman Eugenio Suárez has been out of the lineup since being hit on the hand by a pitch on Monday. First baseman Josh Naylor also was injured on Monday, straining his right shoulder on an awkward swing, but returned to the lineup on Wednesday. 'It's part of the game, but we've taken on a lot, there's no denying that," Lovullo said. "A lot of teams have. I don't want anybody to feel sorry for us. But it's our turn to go out there and figure out how to get the job done, and that's where my main focus is right now.' The Diamondbacks have managed to keep their focus during the rash of injuries. With Tuesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox, Arizona has won 10 of 14 to move back into the NL wild card picture. The Diamondbacks aren't out of the NL West race, either, entering Wednesday's game 2 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. 'We've just got to push through it,' Arizona outfielder Alek Thomas said. 'The vibe in the clubhouse, are still high. We still come every day to the field with our chin up and smiles on our faces.' ___
