D-Backs Manager Explains Ketel Marte Crying On The Field After 'Idiot' Fan's Heckling

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is setting the record straight about what went down Tuesday night at Rate Field in Chicago that resulted in shortstop Ketel Marte breaking down in tears on the field in the middle of the game against the White Sox.

Speaking to the Diamondbacks' broadcast team after a 4-1 win in which Marte hit a home run in the first inning, Lovullo said a fan "went too far." Lovullo, who goes back nearly a decade with Marte, was still visibly shaken during the interview.

"It was a terrible moment. Fans are nasty and fans go too far, sometimes," said Lovullo, who appeared to choke back tears while detailing the unfortunate incident. "I love my players and I'm going to protect them."

It had been previously reported that the fan heckled Marte about his mother, who died in a car crash in the Dominican Republic in 2017. 

Lovullo added that he sees himself like a father figure to a lot of his players. Lovullo and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo could be seen in the seventh inning consoling Marte, who was balling his eyes out on the pitching mound during a pitching change.

Here’s the initial explanation from ⁦@Dbacks⁩ Manager Torey Lovullo re the incident in Chicago where a ⁦@whitesox⁩ fan verbally abused Ketel Marte. pic.twitter.com/UZnwssmxfz

— Todd Walsh (@ToddWalsh) June 25, 2025

Related: MLB Star Cries During Game After Fan Heckles Him About His Mother Who Died in Car Accident

Sending love to Ketel Marte who was in tears on the field after a fan yelled something at him about his mother, who passed away in a car accident in 2017, per @CDrottar19 pic.twitter.com/I14Zc1gkV1

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 25, 2025

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

Lovullo also shared how he consoled Marte.

"'I love you. I'm with you and we're all together. And you're not alone. And no matter what happens. No matter what was said, or what you heard, that guy's an idiot," Lovullo said. "'And it shouldn't have an impact on you.'"