Latest news with #ToreyLovullo
Fox News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Ketel Marte receives standing ovation from Diamondbacks fans in first home game since controversial heckling
Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte received a warm welcome from Diamondbacks fans in the first inning of the team's 9-8 loss to the Miami Marlins at Chase Field on Friday night. It was the team's first game at home since the Diamondbacks' 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday when a fan shouted derogatory comments about Marte's late mother, Elpidia Valdez. She died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2017. The comments brought Marte to tears, and the star second baseman was consoled on the mound by Diamondbacks' manager Torey Lovullo during a pitching change. The fan who made the cruel comments toward Marte was ejected from the game and banned indefinitely from attending all MLB ballparks, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to Fox News Digital. In the Diamondbacks-White Sox game on Wednesday, the White Sox displayed a supportive message on their scoreboard during Marte's at-bat in the first inning. "Baseball is Family: The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte," the message said. When Marte walked up to the plate in the bottom of the first inning on Friday, he received similar support as he received a standing ovation. Diamondbacks fans wore pink shirts that read, "Ketel is my MVP" while other fans brought signs that read, "Arizona loves Ketel." Marte tipped his helmet and tapped his bat to his chest in acknowledgment of the crowd's vociferous support. The 31-year-old went 0-4 with a walk in the loss, but he is in the midst of another great season. The two-time NL All-Star has a .307 batting average with 15 home runs and 32 RBI in 55 games this season. The Diamondbacks (41-40) will look to bounce back against the red-hot Marlins (35-45), who have won their last five games, on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. ET. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Arizona governor signs $500K bill for upgrades to Chase Field
June 28 - The Arizona Diamondbacks' home venue, Chase Field, will be upgraded after Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill Friday earmarking $500 million toward renovations. The measure will direct sales tax collected at the Phoenix stadium and nearby buildings, plus taxes from some club employees, to be used for the facility improvements. The Diamondbacks have also pledged $250 million to the project. Hobbs signed the bill in a ceremony attended by Diamondbacks players Corbin Burnes and Corbin Carroll. The governor tweeted, "I'm not going to let Arizona lose the Diamondbacks. Today, I signed a bipartisan deal to keep the @Dbacks in downtown Phoenix -- creating good-paying jobs and making sure families can enjoy baseball for generations. Let's play ball!" Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall told Phoenix's 12News, "We weren't sure what Plan B was going to be if we couldn't fund this building in a renovation. I'm grateful to (Hobbs). She's a supporter. She's a baseball fan, a Diamondbacks fan, and I'm a fan of hers." Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of the news, "This is an unbelievable measure. This was something that was passed and has been in the works for a long time. ... I'm grateful for everybody making the sacrifice and saying, 'Let's keep the Arizona Diamondbacks in Arizona where they belong.'" Upgrades will be made to Chase Field's retractable roof and to the venue's air conditioning in addition to other infrastructure areas. Attendance is up in Phoenix this year, two seasons after the Diamondbacks won the National League championship before falling to the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Arizona lost another major sports team last year when the NHL's Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City and were renamed the Utah Hockey Club and subsequently the Utah Mammoth. --Field Level Media
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
White Sox ban fan for comments that left Ketel Marte in tears over late mother
Arizona's victory over the host Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night was marred after a fan's insults about Ketel Marte's late mother left the Diamondbacks second baseman in tears. Marte was visibly upset after the incident, which took place when he came to bat at the top of the seventh inning. The 31-year-old's mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in 2017 in the Dominican Republic. Diamondbacks manager Torey Luvollo put his arm around Marte and talked with him during a pitching change while the White Sox were batting. Lovullo said he heard the comment but declined to repeat what was said when asked by reporters after the game. Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister contacted security at Rate Field and asked for the fan to be ejected, a Diamondbacks spokesperson told the Arizona Republic. 'We commend the White Sox for taking immediate action in removing the fan,' said MLB in a statement. The White Sox told ESPN on Wednesday that a 22-year-old man has been given an indefinite ban from their stadium, and the ban was later extended to all MLB ballparks. ESPN also reported that the fan had expressed remorse for the comments. Sending love to Ketel Marte who was in tears on the field after a fan yelled something at him about his mother, who passed away in a car accident in 2017, per @CDrottar19 'I looked right at [Marte] when I heard [the comments],' Lovullo said. 'I looked right at him and he looked at the person, as well. He put his head down and I could tell it had an immediate impact on him, for sure.' Lovullo added: 'I just reacted as a dad would. 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 speak to reporters after the 4-1 victory, during which he homered and went 2-for-4 to raise his batting average to .320. His teammate, shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, also consoled Marte during the game and said the fan should be banned. 'That can't happen,' Perdomo told reporters after the game. 'Everybody knows how Ketel is. He's fun. He plays the game hard. I feel bad for him. I feel mad about it. I hope MLB can do something with that guy.' Lovullo, who has been the Diamondbacks manager since 2017, paid tribute to Marte's spirit. 'I've known Ketel for nine years, and he's had some unbelievably great moments and some hardships, as well,' he 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.'
National Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Video emerges of Arizona manager confronting Ketel Marte heckler: ‘You dumb f***'
Torey Lovullo wasn't messing around when he heard a fan heckling one of his players. Article content 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. Article content Article content 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. Article content 'Dumb f***,' Lovullo appears to say in video. 'His mom died, you dumb f***. Dumb f***.' Article content Footage of Torey Lovullo confronting the fan that spoke on Ketel Marte's mother last night — Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 26, 2025 Article content Article content Arizona bench coach Jeff Banister can also be seen pointing the fan out to security during the exchange. Article content TikTok user smartasskris, who posted the clip of Lovullo, also revealed more details about the fan in the caption of the post. Article content '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. Article content '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.' Article content 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 ago. He 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
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- 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
