Chicago, IL — Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox have banned a spectator indefinitely after the individual made a cruel remark about Ketel Marte’s late mother during a game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman was visibly emotional on the field after hearing the comment, which referenced his mother, who tragically died in a car accident in 2017. Marte was consoled by Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo during the incident, which drew widespread condemnation.
According to MLB.com, the 22-year-old man who made the remark was identified and immediately ejected from the ballpark by White Sox staff. A team spokesperson said the man was “very apologetic and remorseful,” admitting that his behavior was deeply inappropriate.
In response, the White Sox and Major League Baseball jointly agreed to ban the individual from all MLB ballparks indefinitely. The league confirmed the decision on Wednesday.
The following day, the White Sox publicly showed support for Marte during the second game of the series, displaying messages on stadium video boards that read, “Baseball is family” and “The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte.”
Marte, 30, has spoken in the past about the impact of his mother’s death on his life and career. The incident struck a nerve with fans and players alike, reinforcing the importance of respect and empathy in professional sports environments.
MLB has reiterated its stance on upholding respectful fan conduct, and this action sends a clear message that personal and offensive remarks—especially those targeting a player’s family—will not be tolerated.