The MLB All-Star break was supposed to be a celebration for Ketel Marte, a chance to represent the Arizona Diamondbacks, soak in the spotlight, and maybe even get a little breather from what’s been an emotional rollercoaster of a season. But instead, Marte returned to something no one should have to face: a burglarized home.
According to the NY Post, the Scottsdale residence reportedly owned by the 31-year-old second baseman was hit during the All-Star festivities in Atlanta. Marte was in Georgia for the game when the break-in occurred, and thankfully, no one was home at the time. That’s the only silver lining here.
Police are calling it a “high-dollar residential burglary,” and say the thieves forced their way in and made off with various personal items and pieces of jewelry. The investigation is ongoing, and while no suspects have been named yet, the damage, emotionally, if not physically, has already been done. “This guy can’t catch a break,” wrote one fan on social media.
Ketel Marte Has Had an Extremely Rough Go at Things Lately
It’s just the latest bit of trauma for Marte, who’s been carrying a heavy emotional load lately. Less than a month ago, he was visibly shaken and seen breaking down in tears during a June 24 game against the White Sox. That came after a heckler at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field made disgusting comments about Marte’s late mother, Elpidia Valdez, who tragically died in a car accident back in 2017 in the Dominican Republic.
The fan was quickly dealt with. Thanks to strong lobbying from Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and Marte’s teammate Geraldo Perdomo, the heckler has since been banned indefinitely from all MLB ballparks. But even with the league taking swift action, the moment clearly hit Marte deep. And now, just as he was trying to get back on track, this.
Marte has continued to shine on the field, even with all the noise and heartbreak around him. He went 1-for-2 in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, roping a two-run double in the first inning that helped the National League ultimately win a rare swing-off tiebreaker. He’s hitting .290 with 19 home runs, 40 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 165, numbers that mirror his MVP-caliber campaign from last year, when he finished third in NL voting. But it’s hard to talk stats when someone’s life is clearly being shaken up off the field.
The Arizona Diamondbacks Look To Steal the Final Wild Card Slot
The Diamondbacks, currently sitting at 47-50 and 5.5 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot, return to action Friday night with a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals. Then it’s the Houston Astros coming to town for some interleague fireworks. The hope, of course, is that getting back to baseball might offer some kind of comfort or rhythm for Marte, though comfort probably feels a million miles away right now.
Marte hasn’t spoken publicly about the robbery yet, but fans across Arizona are already rallying around him. After all, this is a guy who’s not only putting up All-Star numbers but doing it while navigating unimaginable personal grief, now compounded by the trauma of having his home violated.
Arizona’s been through a lot lately, and so has its heart-and-soul second baseman. Hopefully, justice is served, and more importantly, Ketel Marte can find some peace amid the chaos. Because right now, it’s clear, this season is about way more than baseball.
