Former Arizona Diamondbacks closer Heath Bell criticized second baseman Ketel Marte this week, arguing that Marte would have faced a harsher reaction from teammates and the public if he were an American player. Marte became the subject of scrutiny after failing to report to the Diamondbacks' Aug. 17 game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Arizona placed the three-time All-Star on the restricted list shortly before first pitch.
His agent subsequently said Marte was traveling to Phoenix for an MRI on his knee while also "managing a personal matter." The Diamondbacks then transferred Marte to the injured list, making him eligible to be paid after spending three days on the restricted list. The situation drew further attention when photographs of Marte at a Scottsdale casino circulated on social media while Arizona was playing the Cincinnati Reds. Bell, who spent 11 seasons in the majors and spent one season with the Diamondbacks in 2013 — four years before Marte arrived in Phoenix — addressed the controversy on the Friar Territory podcast.
Bell and Marte were never teammates, but Bell said his experience in major league clubhouses shaped his view of how the situation would have been handled during his playing career. More news: Diamondbacks Manager Addresses Ketel Marte Casino Trip, ‘Betrayal’ "If an American player did that he would be shunned," Bell said. "Everybody would hate him.
But since he's a Latin player, eh, ‘He might have an emotional issue’." Bell also compared the reaction to Marte's situation with how players from the United States and Latin America were treated during his career when steroid use was involved. He said he believed Latin American players sometimes received more lenient treatment. More news: Diamondbacks, Ketel Marte Reach Temporary Resolution Bell's criticism extended beyond the circumstances of Marte's absence.
"You're here, you're doing a job, show up," he said. "That’s my biggest thing. And I just think Marte is taking it for granted and doesn’t realize what he’s doing to his team and his fan base and his coaches. … He’s thinking about himself and not thinking about the team.” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has acknowledged that Marte's absence created tension within the organization, saying he felt "betrayed" by the incident.
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