The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte has given details about the comments that reduced him to tears during a game earlier this week.
A 22-year-old fan was given an indefinite ban from every MLB stadium after he made comments about the second baseman’s late mother during a Diamondbacks game at the Chicago White Sox. Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017.
Marte initially chose not to speak about the comments, but on Friday he gave details to Spanish-language journalist Yancen Pujols.
“A fan was up on the dugout shouting things about my mother,” he said. “He was like, ‘Last night I sent a message to your mother.’”
Marte said he is used to being taunted by fans, but had never been heckled about his mother. He said what made it more painful for him was the Diamondbacks were in Chicago to play the Cubs when she died.
“We have to do something about the fans; they’re going too far,” he said. “They always shout things about me, but not about my mother. Everyone knows that my mother died in an accident. And nothing. We’re praying for him, for the guy who shouted, and for his family, you know? May God protect him. May God protect him and cleanse his heart. They always shout things at me but I don’t pay attention, but when they talk about my mother, it’s a different story.”
ESPN reported that the fan had expressed remorse for the comments.
Marte also expressed his thanks to Diamondbacks manager, Torey Luvollo, who comforted his second baseman on the field.
“My manager had my back,” said Marte. “They kicked the fan out. I don’t think he’ll be allowed back in the parks.”
Arizona fans held signs and wore T-shirts in support of Marte at Friday’s home game. After the game he said he appreciated the gestures.
“I felt good, always receiving that type of support from the fans here, it just really made me feel super good,” he said.
