Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran suspended 2 games by club
The Boston Red Sox announced that outfielder Jarren Duran will be suspended for two games, both unpaid, effective immediately. The punishment stems from the use of a homophobic slur towards a heckling fan in Sunday’s 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros.
Duran met with the media on Monday afternoon to address the incident during the sixth inning. A fan screamed at him, telling him he needed a tennis racket to hit a baseball.
“I’ve had some fans reach out to me and tell me that they are disappointed in me,” Duran said in the Red Sox clubhouse Monday. “I just wanted to let them know that I’m sorry for my actions. “
“It was just a heckler heckling me the entire game and I just let the moment get the best of me and said something I shouldn’t be saying,” Duran added.
Duran will miss his first two games of the season, after being the only Red Sox that has played in all 116 this year. Following the loss on Sunday, Duran released the following statement:
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan. I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed. I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly to the entire LGBTQ community.
“Our young fans are supposed to be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility. I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person.”
Duran’s two-game salary will be donated to the PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). PFLAG is the largest United States organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for the LGBTQ community.
On the baseball side, this has been a breakout season for Duran which has seen him go from a middling bat to the All-Star Game MVP. With this incident, the majority of fans outside of Boston or non-sports fan will first associate this with him more than his on-field accomplishments this season.
This is the third reported incident with a fan as Duran has let his emotions get the best of him during two trips to Kansas City over the past two seasons. The lack of maturity could end up costing Duran his tenure with the Red Sox down the road, but that has yet to be seen.
Boston has rookie of the year candidate Wilyer Abreu, top prospect Roman Anthony, and Duran as all left-handed hitting outfielders, plus others on the roster. It’s been speculated that the Red Sox could trade one of those players this offseason to improve the team elsewhere on the roster.
Duran had been looking indispensable as he has emerged as a leader this season and a top leadoff hitter. Now with this latest sign of immaturity, Duran could end up being the one out the door.
