Caitlin Clark was a shoo-in for the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year award last season, but the running for the 2025 edition has emerged as a three-woman race that includes a pair of teammates as All-Star weekend approaches.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron and Mystics center Kiki Iriafen have emerged as early favorites to hoist the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year trophy after getting off to hot starts in their freshman campaign. The race is tight and will likely come down to the wire, but how would the top three shake out if the award was given out today?

Let’s take a look at where each novice lands on USA TODAY Sports’ WNBA rookie power rankings:

1. Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings

2025 stats: 18.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.8 spg, 46.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 87.0% FT (13 games)

2. Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics

2025 stats: 13.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 47.6% FG, 76.6% FT (16 games)

The Washington Mystics blew up everything ahead of the 2025 season and the risk has paid off. New general manager Jamila Wideman and head coach Sydney Johnson took a step toward rebuilding their future with first-round picks Kiki Iriafen (No. 5 overall) and Sonia Citron (No. 3 overall). The dynamic duo currently has the Mystics sitting at .500 on the season, one year removed from finishing with a 14-26 record. Iriafen is on a roll and became the first Mystics player in franchise history to win the Rookie of the Month honor in May. She leads all rookies in rebounds (8.8) and ranks third in scoring (13.2). Iriafen has five double-doubles through 16 games, including four consecutive double-doubles in her first five career games. The rest of the rookies have a combined four.

3. Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics

2025 stats: 14.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 47.6% FG, 76.6% FT (16 games)

Sonia Citron is calm, cool and collected on both sides of the ball and has been pivotal in the Mystics’ turnaround. Among rookies, Citron is second in the league in scoring (14.6) and minutes (32.9) per game behind Bueckers and has scored double-digit points in all but one game this season. When she’s not knocking down game-winning shots — including her go-ahead three in the Mystics’ overtime win over the Wings on June 22 and a pair of clutch free throws to ice Washington’s win over the Lynx on June 24 — Citron is guarding multiple positions. Iriafen and Citron perfectly complement each other and look to lead the Mystics to the postseason for the first time since 2023.

Honorable mentions

Monique Akoa Makani, Phoenix Mercury: 8.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 48.3% FG, 44.7% 3PT, 100.0% FT (14 games)

The Mercury has emerged as one of the top teams in the league and has won five consecutive games. Akoa Makani has started all 15 games this season and is a perfect 100% from the free-throw line (18 attempts). She dropped a career-high 21 points in the Mercury’s win over the New York Liberty on June 19.

Te-Hina Paopao, Atlanta Dream: 6.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 52.4% FG, 50.0% 3PT, 85.7% FT (15 games)

Paopao leads the rookies in three-point percentage, shooting 52.6% from beyond the arc. In the Dream’s 93-80 win over the Chicago Sky on June 22, Paopao exploded for a career-high five threes.

2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year odds

Here’s the latest odds from BetMGM, as of Friday:

Paige Bueckers (-1400)
Sonia Citron (+2000)
Kiki Iriafen (+1000)
Aneesah Morrow (+15000)
Hailey Van Lith (+25000)
Saniya Rivers (+25000)
Te-Hina Paopao (+20000)
Dominique Malonga (+25000)
Janelle Salaun (+20000)

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The Cooper Flagg era in Dallas is officially underway, as the No. 1 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft was introduced on Friday, June 27.

In that introductory news conference, Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd didn’t hold back his intentions for Flagg, including throwing him into a position in the NBA summer league that he doesn’t have a ton of experience at: point guard.

‘I don’t look at the position. I want to put him at point guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts (to) being able to run the show,’ Kidd said.

Kidd went on to say that Flagg will also play the 2 and the 3 with the Mavericks, two positions that he played at Duke and is ‘comfortable in.’

‘We want to push,’ Kidd said. ‘And I think he’s going to respond in a positive way. It’s all right to fail. It’s all right to turn the ball over. We’ve talked about that.

‘Just understanding the guys that I’ve been around that have been young from Giannis (Antetokounmpo) giving him the ball and he failed, but he wanted to come back and have the ball. I’m excited to give him the ball against the Lakers (in the summer league) and see what happens.’

Though Flagg was never listed at point guard for Duke or played it, the Naismith Player of the Year did bring up the ball at times for the Blue Devils – on top of showcasing other skillsets a point guard has while never playing the position. In 37 games last season, Flagg led all Duke players with 4.2 assists per game.

Being selected No. 1 overall by the Mavericks, Flagg will receive a four-year NBA rookie contract with a total estimated value of $62.7 million, according to Spotrac. Noted by the Fayetteville Observer, part of the USA TODAY Network, Flagg’s four-year contract is only guaranteed for the first two years under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement as Years 3 and 4 of the contract are team options.

Flagg is set to begin his NBA career with Dallas in the NBA 2K26 Summer League on Thursday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James.

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The first round of the 2025 NHL Draft had a lot going for it.

Matthew Schaefer had an emotional response to being taken No. 1 overall by the New York Islanders, celebrities announced teams’ picks, two goaltenders were chosen in the first round when one is a rarity, Shawn Horcoff’s and Jenny Potter’s sons were chosen and there was a big Islanders-Montreal Canadiens trade beforehand.

But the night as a whole felt strange. This was the NHL’s first decentralized draft, outside of the COVID year, and it didn’t seem the same. The topic was brought up during NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s pre-draft news conference and he said to give it a chance. Let’s hope they bring the old way back.

Here are the winners and losers of the first round of the NHL draft:

WINNERS

Matthew Schaefer

The Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters defenseman had to overcome a lot of adversity to be selected No. 1 overall. He lost his mother (breast cancer) and his billet mother during the 2023-24 season and Erie’s team owner died in 2024. Schaefer also broke his clavicle at the world junior hockey championship in December and missed the rest of the season.

But NHL Central Scouting saw enough from his shortened season to rank him first and the Islanders concurred. When he walked onto the stage, his Islanders jersey had a pink ribbon on it. He kissed the ribbon and let out his emotions.

The Islanders’ trade of Noah Dobson before the draft creates room for Schaefer to become a key part of the team’s blue line.

James Hagens

The Boston College center and Team USA gold medal winner at the world juniors had been in the running for the top pick early in the season. But he dropped to seventh place.

But that meant he was going to the Boston Bruins, close to where he played this season. As a bonus, actor Adam Sandler announced the pick on video. Hagens’ favorite move is ‘Happy Gilmore.’

The Bruins are light at center and have a promising one in the pipeline.

Roger McQueen’s Disney adventure

McQueen was drafted 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks and his pick was announced by actors Joshua Jackson and Marguerite Moreau from the ‘Mighty Ducks’ movies. Then he and his family were taken by helicopter to Disneyland, where McQueen got to pose near Lightning McQueen from ‘Cars.’

Crowd’s reaction to Johnny Gaudreau’s widow

Celebrity pick announcers included Sandler, wrestler Bayley, country music artist Jordan Davis and hockey royalty (Lanny McDonald and Shea Weber). Kris Letang and son Alex did a nice job with the Penguins’ announcements.

But the most touching was having Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, announce the Columbus Blue Jackets’ picks. The crowd gave her a standing ovation and chanted ‘Johnny, Johnny’ when she took the stage.

LOSERS

The format

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the vote to decentralize the draft was 26-6. The move saves teams travel days and gives them more time to plan for free agency.

Though other leagues hold decentralized drafts, the great thing about the NHL draft floor was the activity. If someone picked up a phone or walked toward another table, could there be a trade? Instead, all 32 teams’ draft rooms were displayed on a screen on the stage. Not the same.

The league set up a draft house where picks could talk remotely to their new team’s executives. But there were glitches such as echoes or delays. And the sound didn’t work for the Ottawa Senators.

Lack of player trades

Two years ago, there were no trades in the first round. Last year, only draft picks were traded. This year, the pre-draft Dobson trade led to intrigue. Would general manager Mathieu Darche package the newly acquired 16th and 17th picks to try to move up? Would he go after Long Island native Hagens? No, he used the picks on prospects Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. For the second year in a row, only picks were dealt in the first round.

Ken Holland’s draft strategy

New Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland was running his first draft with the team and doing it in front of his home fans. But he chose to move down seven spots in the first round, picking up a late second-round pick in the process.

GM of the year vote

The award is voted on after the second round of the playoffs and the winners are announced at the draft. The Dallas Stars’ Jim Nill won for the third year in a row. He did acquire Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund during the season, but shouldn’t it be Panthers GM Bill Zito’s turn? His acquisitions of Brad Marchand and Seth Jones played a big role in the Panthers reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row and repeating as champions. The Stars lost for the third consecutive year in the conference final. Maybe Zito’s re-signing of playoff MVP Sam Bennett to a team-friendly deal will give him a start for next year. 

In a previous lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted a woman, lawyers for Brigham Young senior quarterback Jake Retzlaff denied those allegations in a response filed on Friday.

The response was filed in the Third Judicial District Court in Utah and says that Retzlaff and the woman, who is referred to as Jane Doe A.G., had consensual sex in November 2023 and continued to communicate through text messages into February 2024.

‘Mr. Retzlaff specifically and categorically denies each and every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled (the woman), which are ridiculous and bizarre allegations, all of which are false and untrue,’ Retzlaff’s lawyer wrote in response to the lawsuit.

The woman is suing Retzlaff for alleged battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking damages of at least $300,000. Retzlaff currently does not face any criminal charges.

In the lawsuit filed last month, Jane Doe A.G. says she and a friend went to Retzlaff’s apartment after connecting through social media a month prior. After playing video games, the woman’s friend left, and she stayed with Retzlaff to watch a movie. The two began to kiss but the woman ‘did not want to do anything more,’ the lawsuit said.

According to the response to the lawsuit, Retzlaff did not hear from the woman for more than a year, and his attorneys say that because Retzlaff is ‘now an NFL draft prospect,’ and the woman ‘believes … she can extort money from him.’

Retzlaff started all 13 games for BYU last season, throwing for 2,947 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Cougars finished 11-2 after an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. BYU opens its 2025 season Aug. 30 at home against Portland State.

In many ways, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a dream player.

He’s talented and tough. He’s a strong leader. He’s a good person. There are no issues off the field. He’s thrown 73 touchdowns total over the last three seasons. Tagovailoa has done a solid job of being the face of a proud franchise trying to regain greatness it hasn’t seen in decades.

‘I see similarities. I’m not saying they’re the same player or same person, no two people are,” Armstead said. “The anticipation, the accuracy, timing of throws, the ability to knock a wing off a fly repeatedly. Those guys throw darts. They don’t throw to areas, they are very precise. And that’s an elite talent, it’s an elite trait. Very few people possess (it). He’s one of them and Drew Brees is another.’

That’s all the good part. And it’s all quite good.

The problem is that Tagovailoa hasn’t broken through as an elite player. Lots of players aren’t elite but Tagovailoa was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He’s been injury prone, missing key games with a variety of ailments, most notably some frightening head injuries. Tagovailoa just hasn’t broken through as a great player. A solid one. At times a really good one. But not a consistently great one.

He’s not alone. Look at some other quarterbacks in the league like Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert. But I have an obsession with Tagovailoa (a healthy one, promise) because he perfectly embodies all of the complexities of both the NFL overall and the quarterback position.

He’s been good, but not outstanding. He’s had, at best, OK head coaches. Good receivers but one of them, Tyreek Hill, is a massive problem away from the field. Running game has had its moments. Same for the defense. But there’s little that would cause you to look at the Dolphins and say: that team is on its way. They are extremely average and Tagovailoa hasn’t been able to lift them above that mediocrity.

All of this leads to a crucial juncture for him and the Dolphins. What will Miami do if Tagovailoa struggles in 2025?

“Yeah, he has narratives in front of him that have to be answered,” Armstead said. “Not necessarily by me or in an interview form, it’s from him, and his play, and getting the job done. Any quarterback or any team that (doesn’t) hoist that trophy at the end of the year, you have questions, you have narratives, you have challenges, you have adversity, you have things to answer. Only team that don’t really have that is Philly. Everybody else, they have their questions going into the season. Tua has his questions, and it’s up to him to answer these questions — not me.

“Do I believe he can? I do. Do I believe he will? I do.”

Coach Mike McDaniel spoke about the larger goals for Tagovailoa this coming season at one of the Dolphins’ recent OTAs.

“He’s the franchise quarterback of a team,’ said McDaniel. ‘His job is to lead men on each and every play, and find different ways to continue the process of evolution for him. That’s always been the name of the game for him, whether that’s getting the offense to the line of scrimmage faster out of the huddle or whether that’s adjusting protections, doing sight adjustments, growing his game, working on progressions, escaping the pocket and getting rid of (the ball).” 

He added: “All of the things a quarterback is asked to do, I think that’s where he’s at. He’s dipped his toe in the water with everything, and now it’s consistency and mastery. That’s why it’s a never-ending exercise.”

McDaniel is saying exactly what I am except in a fancier, more coach-speak way. It’s time for Tagovailoa to show true captaincy of the position.

Miami has paid Tagovailoa well (and he’s earned it). He’ll make almost $150 million through 2026. The contract is costly but far from impossible to walk away from. Which makes this coming season for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins an interesting one to watch.

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Women’s singles French Open champion Coco Gauff and runner-up Aryna Sabalenka appear to be on good terms after posting a pre-Wimbledon TikTok dance on Centre Court.

After a practice session before the year’s third Grand Slam, the No. 1 ranked Sabalenka shared a clip of her and the No. 2 ranked Gauff dancing on Instagram, captioning it, ‘TikTok dances always have a way of bringing people together.’

This follows Sabalenka’s apology for her remarks after her loss to Gauff, in which she acknowledged that her comments were unprofessional and that she allowed her emotions to override her judgment.

When is the 2025 Wimbledon tournament?

The 2025 Wimbledon tournament will begin on Monday, June 30, 2025 and be played over 14 days before concluding on Sunday, July 13, in London.

How to watch the 2025 Wimbledon tournament?

The 2025 Wimbledon tournament will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and the Tennis Channel. Fans wanting to stream the action can watch all matches on ESPN+.

The lack of salary cap space is one reason why teams such as Houston and Orlando made trades before free agency begins.

Teams are evaluating their payroll, trying to navigate the 2023 collective-bargaining agreement that puts roster limitations and severe financial penalties are high-spending teams. That’s a reason the Boston Celtics just agreed to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. It’s part of a new NBA era that tries to create more competitive balance.

Still, there are opportunities for teams to make moves with the idea of improving rosters and better competing for a playoff spot or championship.

Who is going to make a push to challenge Oklahoma City’s defense of its 2025 championship? Will a team do it through free agency?

Here’s what to know about 2025 NBA free agency:

When does NBA free agency start?

It opens Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. That’s when teams and players can start agreeing to terms of a contract. However, contracts can’t officially be signed until July 6.

NBA cap space 2025

The Brooklyn Nets can have nearly $50 million in space, and the Detroit Pistons can have about $20 million in cap space. Multiple teams will have use of exceptions, such as the mid-level exception at $14.5 per season or the taxpayer mid-level exception at $5.6 million per season.

Who are the top NBA free agents?

Technically, LeBron James and James Harden can become free agents. Even if they are, they are likely to re-sign with their current teams. Dallas’ Kyrie Irving, Houston’s Fred VanVleet and Minnesota’s Naz Reid have already reached new deals with the current teams and will not be free agents.

Who are other top free agents this summer?

Julius Randle, Minnesota (unrestricted free agent)
Myles Turner, Indiana (unrestricted free agent)
Josh Giddey, Chicago (restricted agent)
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State (restricted)

What is unrestricted free agency?

Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team.

What is restricted free agency?

According to the NBA, restricted free agent “can sign an offer sheet with any team, but the player’s original team can retain him by matching the terms of that offer.”

What is the second apron?

You may hear the phrase “second apron” during free agency. What does that mean? In the 2023 CBA, the NBA and its players agreed to punitive roster and financial ramifications if a team spent more than a specified threshold.

The projected second apron threshold for 2025-26 is approximately $208 million does, and if a team is over that amount in player salary, that team does not have access to the taxpayer midlevel exception, limited use of a traded-player exception, cannot aggregate players in a trade, the first-round draft pick seven years out is frozen and cannot be traded, cannot acquire a player via sign-and trade plus financial penalties among other restrictions.

There is also a first apron which includes roster restrictions – just not as severe.

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL — You can hear the music thumping inside the stadium, blaring outside of it. It’s only natural to feel the anticipation build.

“Let’s get down, let’s get down to business” is the catchy Tiësto hook that plays before every FIFA Club World Cup match.

This was my sixth time hearing it at Hard Rock Stadium since the tournament began, but my first as a paying patron for a match between Brazil’s Fluminense and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, June 25.

My excitement, however, was quickly hit with a snag before I got past the security gates to get my ticket scanned.

FIFA says “fans are welcome to bring empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to one liter (33.8 oz) into the stadiums.”

A security attendant told me to finish mine before I could enter. Okay, understandable — I thought — since the policy is “empty.” I was three-quarters of the way done with mine. I had bariatric surgery nine months ago, so it was a test to finish my superfood-infused water with a smaller stomach. But I was able to.

Then, another attendant reached for my bottle and tossed it in a garbage can.

“I thought FIFA allows a water bottle,” I said.

“Not here,” she replied as the bottle fell on top of others in the can.

A mistake on the attendant’s part, and since the tournament began FIFA has been in communication with stadium staffs to address these misunderstandings and confusion on entry policies.

FIFA also released a statement last week regarding the extreme heat across the United States, which adds to mounting concerns about player safety and fan welfare during the Club World Cup and next year’s FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“FIFA’s top priority is the health of everyone involved in football,” a spokesman said. “FIFA will continue to monitor the weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”

The noon and 3 p.m. start times to matches have also been an issue at the height of the heat, providing primetime viewing in other parts of the world.

“I think it’s part and parcel of football,’ English captain Harry Kane said after Bayern Munich’s win over Boca Juniors. You have to be able to adapt. … There’s something special about these World Cup games, and next year will be the same.

‘When you come off that pitch and you’re sweating and you’re dripping and you’re cramping and you’ve given everything on the pitch – there’s a special feeling inside, especially when you win.”

Meanwhile, German giant Borussia Dortmund refused to have players sit on the bench directly in the sun in Cincinnati for their June 21 noon match. It was 87°F (30.5°C).

“Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium – never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense,” the team said, sharing a photo of players in the locker room on social media.

Watch FIFA Club World Cup free on DAZN. Sign up now.

Here are a few things FIFA could consider before the World Cup next year to address the heat concerns:

– Install mist systems and climate-controlled benches, like NFL teams use during late-summer and winter games, at hosting venues. It might not directly help the players on the field, outside of their cooling breaks in the 30th and 75th minutes, when they hydrate, eat an electrolyte chewable and/or apply a wet towel on themselves. But it’s a good starting point.

– Only four of the 11 American venues hosting World Cup games are indoors and should be prioritized for day games: Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, TX, Houston’s NRG Stadium and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Teams should also get a proceeding night match if they play an early game in the sun.

– FIFA should coordinate with stadium vendors to sell water at cheaper price points. MetLife Stadium sells water for $5, while Hard Rock Stadium for $6. Maybe, FIFA and Ticketmaster could consider a nominal water fee on ticket sales, and just give fans water for free at the concession stands. Hey, just thinking out loud.

– Ticketmaster and other ticket-selling platforms should be transparent and communicate to consumers when and where seats are shaded at stadiums, so they can make informed purchases.

Club World Cup attendance amid heat wave

I’ve attended events at Hard Rock Stadium, as a patron and journalist, for nearly 20 years. I bought a resell ticket on Ticketmaster in section 106, row 2 for $37, figuring I could help a seller offload their purchase. My seat was also covered by the stadium’s canopy for the entire match.

But not everyone was so comfortable.

Fluminense fan Matt Benac sat with his back braced up against a concrete wall inside the stadium concourse, waving his black hat in front of his face flushed red, trying to relieve himself from the blazing sun at halftime.

Benac was among five sections of Fluminense fans baking in the lower level where there’s no escape from the sunlight unless intercepted by a cloud. There weren’t any on this day.

“It’s too hot for me to handle,” said Benac, who is from Rio de Janiero, where Fluminense plays. “I’m just out here sitting in the shade trying to have a good time. But it’s hard with the sun out there. It’s getting me exhausted.”

Despite the conditions, football loving fans will still show up for their favorite teams – and pay the price of bottled water multiple times.

Fluminense fan Rafael Daceo held four empty cups under his arm while shirtless, standing next to his girlfriend Carolina Casaes inside the stadium corridor.

They moved from Rio de Janiero seven months ago to be students at Madison College in Wisconsin, and were sunburnt from a trip to the beach a day earlier. More than welcoming the sun, they attended the Fluminense match because being a fan is in their blood.

Daceo said his father is a Fluminense fan, and his grandfather before them. Casaes said her entire family was watching the match back home in Rio.

“I’m feeling like I’m here with my dad, my brother and my step-father because they love Fluminense. I’m feeling like I’m with them. They are watching, too,” Casaes said. “I’m so grateful to be here. I feel like I’m in Brazil. It’s not the same, but the energy is the same. We really miss Brazil right now. Here, we feel a little bit of it.”

Just participating in Club World Cup has brought pride to the players and their fans.

The Fluminense fans cheered until the very end, even raising their intensity in the final 10 minutes of the match as they finished a scoreless draw against the Sundowns but advanced to the Round of 16.

Sundowns players even danced on the pitch in front of their supporters in the stands, after the final whistle concluded their participation in the tournament.

Vuyani Makabe, a South African from Vancouver who flew across the continent for the Miami match, was filled with pride watching his team.

“I never thought as a kid my Mamelodi Sundowns, who I grew up supporting, would actually be competing in a World Cup, and me watching them in Miami,” Makabe said. “This is a dream come true.”

PHOENIX — The moment his name was announced Friday night, the fans immediately rose to their feet, clapped their hands, and cheered so loudly that Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte walked away from the plate.

Marte was overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes reddened. He took off his helmet, raised it high with his right hand and saluted the crowd, pounded his chest with his left arm, and exhaled, before stepping back into the batter’s box.

Diamondbacks fans expressed their genuine love and let him know that while it may be fine to boo the opposition, even taunt opposing players if you choose, you simply cannot cross the line between fandom and sheer hatred.

“They’re always yelling things that maybe I don’t mind,’’ Marte said on a Spanish-language podcast that was published Friday, “but when it comes to my mom, that’s when the line gets crossed.’’

Marte declined to speak about Tuesday’s ugly incident that left him in tears on the field at Rate Field against the Chicago White Sox, and told public relations officials he won’t speak about it again.

But the fans spoke loudly for him.

“I think it’s very powerful,’’ D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “It’s a great statement of support and love and connection. At the end of the day, we all want to be a better human being.’’

Marte, the leading vote-getter to be the National League’s starting second baseman at the All-Star Game, was left sobbing Tuesday when he heard a White Sox fan yell: “I sent you mom a text last night.’’

Marte’s mother is dead.

She died in a car accident in 2017, and Marte was in Chicago when he got the news that day. The fan brought back all of the heartbreak in a flood of emotion.

“I’m ready at the plate, I hear this fan shouting,’’ Marte said on the podcast. “He yelled at me saying stuff about my mom. He was like, ‘I sent your mom a text last night.’ When everything happened I was here in Chicago. …

“People aways yell at me, but never about my mom. People know that my mom passed away in an accident.’’

Lovullo immediately rushed to Marte’s defense, ran from the dugout onto the field, and put his arm around Marte. Lovullo walked back towards the dugout, confronted the fan, and made sure he was ejected from the game. The fan was not only ejected, but also banned for life from all Major League Baseball stadiums.

“I just wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m going to say what I believe and what I really mean,” Lovullo said after the incident. “They were authentic words, and I think the entire group felt the same way as I did. I have no problem crying, believing in the things that are so important to me.”

When Marte came to the ballpark the following day, he was greeted by two notes from White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf apologizing for the fan’s behavior, assuring him it was not acceptable. White Sox manager Will Venable called to express his sympathy. The White Sox put a message on the scoreboard before Marte came to the plate the following day that read: “The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte.”

“I think Major League Baseball did a great job, I think the Chicago White Sox did an amazing  job as well,’’ Lovullo said. “I just appreciated that they followed their own internal protocol, which is to eliminate the stimulus from the stadium. There’s protocols that the security guards had to follow, which they did, and I’m grateful for that.

“So, the protocols are to eliminate the stimulus, let them know, get them out of the stadium, and then you just pick up the pieces.’’

Yet, once again, ugly fan incidents are occurring far too frequently.

“I think something about the fans,’’ Marte said. “It’s getting out of hand.’’

The Pittsburgh Pirates had two different episodes with fans at Comerica Park in Detroit last week. Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was berated with obscenities and gestures from fans during the game, and at least two fans were ejected.

It’s as if hate has become a rallying cry in ballparks and stadiums across the country.

Well, the Diamondbacks fans on this night against the Miami Marlins did everything possible to replace that hatred with love, wildly cheering Marte every time his name was announced before the game, building to a crescendo as he stepped to the plate in the first inning.

The fans have since even donated more than $18,000 to the Diamondbacks Foundation in the name of Marte’s mother.

“I want to say thank you to all the fans that have really supported Ketel ….’’ Lovullo said. “I just appreciate what everybody’s done. Ketel is doing fine. He’s managing it very, very well. … He’s just so authentic and genuine, and really, you can’t help but love him.

“I know that he really appreciates the love and support that he’s feeling.’’

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