BOSTON — Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran issued a statement Sunday apologizing for using a homophobic slur directed toward a fan during Sunday’s loss to the Astros, describing the term as a “truly horrific word.”
Between pitches during his sixth-inning plate appearance against Astros starter Hunter Brown in Boston’s 10-2 loss, Duran responded to a heckling fan by telling him to “shut up” and used the slur. NESN microphones clearly caught the exchange on the live broadcast.
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,” Duran said in a statement sent by the team. “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.”
The Red Sox also issued a statement.
“The Red Sox addressed this incident with Jarren immediately following today’s game,” the team said. “We echo Jarren’s apology to our fans, especially to the LGBTQ community. We strive to be an organization that welcomes all fans to Fenway Park, and we will continue to educate our employees, players, coaches and staff on the importance of inclusivity.””
The Red Sox did not announce if Duran might be disciplined by either the team or Major League Baseball for his actions. It remains a possibility that he is. Indications are that further discussions about potential discipline will take place before Monday’s game against the Rangers. In past instances, players have been suspended and fined for using similar terms; MLB has also mandated diversity and sensitivity training.
In May 2017, Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar (who played for the Red Sox in 2020) was suspended by the team for two games for using an anti-gay slur directed towards a Braves pitcher during a game in Atlanta. In 2012, Toronto infielder Yunel Escobar was suspended for three games for wearing eye black with slurs written in Spanish after the Blue Jays met with officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association. Last fall, Astros reliever Hector Neris was fined — but not suspended — after Mariners players alleged he used a slur directed toward star Julio Rodríguez.
Duran, in his fourth major league season with the Red Sox, has started all 116 games of the team’s games so far in 2024. He was a first-time All-Star and was named All-Star Game MVP last month. Both he and manager Alex Cora have been vocal about the soon-to-be 28-year-old’s quest to play all 162 games this season. A possible suspension has put that goal in jeopardy.
