The MLB world stood behind Ketel Marte earlier this week when the Arizona Diamondbacks star had an emotional breakdown during a game after a heckling fan made an inappropriate comment about his late mother.
The MLB, as expected, took strict action against the heckler, banning him from all ballparks indefinitely. While Marte initially remained silent on the incident, he has now revealed exactly what was said that led to his breakdown. However, some fans have now begun defending the heckler.
In an interview with Spanish journalist Yancen Pujols, Marte revealed that the heckler shouted, “I sent your mom a text last night.”
Ketel Marte speaks on what happen with the fan in Chicago.
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) June 27, 2025
Marte said the fan said, “I sent text messages to your mom.” pic.twitter.com/YQm9WzFsXx
While the comment is still, to an extent, offensive, many fans now believe Ketel Marte may have overreacted, arguing that the heckler likely had no knowledge of his mother’s passing back in 2017.
The 31-year-old Diamondbacks star further revealed that the fans’ words struck him deeply because the game took place in Chicago, the same city where he learned of his mother’s death eight years ago.
Fans Change Stance After Ketel Marte’s Revelation
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Soon after the revelation, many fans called out Marte for “overreacting” and believed the fan didn’t deserve the punishment he got for the comment.
“So soft,” one fan reacted.
So soft.
— Brian Gifford (@BrianGi85638045) June 28, 2025
“This is such an overreaction jeez. The person probably had no idea bout his mom and also if this gets him that emotional he needs thicker skin tbh,” another fan wrote.
This is such an overreaction jeez. The person probably had no idea bout his mom and also if this gets him that emotional he needs thicker skin tbh
— PatsLife (@patslife23) June 27, 2025
“The fan deserves an apology,” one X user commented.
The fan deserves an apology
— imSpecial (@Brian81228309) June 27, 2025
“Standard your mom joke. That’s pretty weak,” another X user replied.
Standard your mom joke. That’s pretty weak
— RC (@DMill3984) June 27, 2025
“To be fair, the kid likely didn’t even know about Ketel Marte’s mom having passed away,” one fan wrote.
to be fair, the kid likely didn't even know about his mom having passesd away
— Dil (@DilboBaggins_) June 27, 2025
“Just finished reading Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron’s autobiographies. Jeez if ketel thinks he has it bad lol yikes,” another fan commented.
Just finished reading Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron’s autobiographies. Jeez if ketel thinks he has it bad lol yikes
— Steve Balboni (@Celtics4Lifeee) June 27, 2025
“That’s what he said!?? Oh man, I change my opinion. Toughen up Ketel Marte, that’s weak to kick him out,” another fan reacted.
That’s what he said!??
— HeupTrain (@heuptrain98) June 28, 2025
Oh man, I change my opinion. Toughen up Marte, that’s weak to kick him out.
“Did the guy even know she was dead. Is this the unluckiest heckle of all time,” one fan pointed out.
Did the guy even know she was dead. Is this the unluckiest heckle of all time
— OT (@itsclams) June 27, 2025
Fans on social media may have changed their stance on supporting Marte. Yet, Diamondbacks fans continued to stand firmly behind their star player. Torey Lovullo was also caught confronting and abusing the fan during the incident.
The home crowd at Chase Field gave a standing ovation to Marte as he stepped up to the plate in Friday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
Talking about his performance, the second baseman is having a stellar season at the plate. Ketel Marte has a .307 batting average and 15 home runs along with a .996 OPS, numbers that have earned him an All-Star nod. On Thursday, MLB announced that the Arizona Diamondbacks star has been named a National League All-Star finalist at second base.
Also Read: MLB Insider Reveals 5 Players The Diamondbacks Could Sell Before The Trade Deadline
