Overview

• During the seventh inning of Arizona’s 4-1 victory on June 24, a spectator shouted a derogatory remark about Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, who died in a 2017 car accident.
• Manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister immediately asked security to remove the fan and Lovullo consoled the emotional second baseman during a pitching change.
• Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo and other teammates condemned the heckling and urged Major League Baseball to strengthen fan conduct regulations.
• The heckler was not only ejected from the game but has since been banned from returning to Rate Field.
• The incident has reignited league-wide calls for tougher penalties to protect players from abusive and personal attacks.