MLB Player In Tears On Field Comforted By Manager After Fan Insults Late Mother

CHICAGO — An unsportsmanlike moment left Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte in tears Tuesday at Rate Field when a fan insulted Marte’s mother, who died in a car crash in 2017, according to reports.

The Diamondbacks won 4-1 against the White Sox, but the game was disrupted in the seventh inning by the remark, which left Marte crying on the field and being consoled by manager Torey Lovullo, who put his arm around the emotional Marte, as shown in a video published by MLB.com.

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

Security ejected the fan and Marte, who had a home run in the first inning, was able to finish the game, MLB.com reported.

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.”

The fan has been banned indefinitely from all major league stadiums, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

Lovullo said he had a “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.”

Marte declined to comment on the incident through a team official.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.