During Sunday's 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros, outfielder Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox was caught on the hot mic calling a fan a bad word while in the batter's box.
Duran, who won MVP of the MLB All-Star game back in July, was 0-for-3, striking-out three times, which led to a fan trying to offer him some advice that he didn't like.
NESN mics picked up Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran calling a heckling fan a "f*cking f*****" during Sunday's game
(Warning, slur included in clip below) pic.twitter.com/R6UYjJqnCJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 12, 2024
"Tennis racket, tennis racket, you need a tennis racket," the fan yelled.
Duran responded, "Shut up, you f*****g f****t," for everyone to hear including those watching the game at home, as this dialogue was picked up on the live broadcast.
The clip was posted and went viral on social media, in which the 27-year-old star player had to address the incident and issue an apology.
"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," Duran said in a statement.
"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."
The irony of it all is that before the game, Duran was presented with the Heart and Hustle Award from Boston, supposedly this means he "best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game," more than any other player on the team.
Some new hardware for Jarren Duran 🙌
Your 2024 @RedSox Heart & Hustle award winner 🏆@TomCaron | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/zK6WogVuGP
— NESN (@NESN) August 11, 2024
Regarding the PR nightmare that transpired a little later after this, many expected the Red Sox to hand down some sort of punishment or consequence for their star player, and now it has been confirmed that Duran will be suspended for two games, effective immediately.
The #RedSox today issued a two-game suspension to Jarren Duran. pic.twitter.com/YlinXxOAWy
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 12, 2024
Despite this unfortunate mistake from the fourth-year player, it doesn't take away from what Duran has been able to accomplish on the field this season as he is having a career-year, batting .291 to go with 14 home runs, 58 RBI's, 80 runs and 29 stolen bases.
