A heckling fan has been indefinitely banned from all major league ballparks after he admitted to directing a racial slur at Cuban-born Arizona Diamondbacks player Ketel Marte during a game at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday night, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press.MLB Fan Banned after heckling Dbacks’ Ketel Marte to tears with a cruel remark about his late mother, according to an AP source.
It happened in the seventh inning of Arizona’s 4-1 victory over Chicago, when the fan yelled an offensive statement about Marte’s late mother. The emotional impact was so strong that Marte was spotted crying on the field.
In a statement, a White Sox spokesperson said stadium security officials said the 22-year-old fan was “deeply apologetic and remorseful after the incident” and admitted his comments were “highly inappropriate and foolish.” The person also confirmed to the AP that MLB don’t allow the person back into a major league facility. The source confirmed his suspension on the condition of anonymity because the league had not made the suspension public.The incident that led to the MLB fan banned ruling may push MLB to tighten in-stadium behavior rules.2, MLB Fan Banned After Heckling Dbacks’ Marte to Tears Over Late Mother.
The fan was asked to leave the stadium by both Arizona manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Bannister. In advance of the series finale on Wednesday, Lovullo said he had “a brief conversation” with the heckler because the fan kept yelling at Marte.Fans and officials agree that the MLB fan banned crossed a line with deeply personal remarks.
“He was not being understanding, and he was being arrogant. I wasn’t feeling comfortable about the way that it was feeling for me,” Lovullo said. ”It was a repulsive comment, the kind you simply do not make about another person, let alone someone whose mother has died. We need better fans. Baseball deserves better.”
Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died tragically in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Marte, who had homered earlier in the game, was noticeably upset by the seventh, during a pitching change. Lovullo could be seen wrapping an arm around Marte to console him. This MLB fan, banned from all major league stadiums, had reportedly shown remorse after the incident
I managed him like a dad would when he walks out to the mound,” Lovullo said, via the Arizona Republic. “I could see he was crying. It was heartbreaking.” I said to him, ‘I love you. I’m here for you. We’re all here for you. You’re not alone. Whatever was said, whatever you heard — just know that guy’s a moron. Don’t let it affect you.’ ”
Marte, through team officials, couldn’t comment directly on the incident. But his teammate, the shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, said the fan “100 per cent should be banned” and demanded that M.L.B. wield a heavy hand.The MLB fan banned for heckling Ketel Marte has caused outrage across the baseball community.
MLB Fan Banned for Heckling Ketel Marte With Cruel Comment
“This is not going to happen,” Perdomo replied. “We can’t have that anymore … not in MLB.”