The Boston Red Sox suspended outfielder Jarren Duran for the next two games without pay on Monday after he directed an anti-gay slur at a heckling fan during Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros.
“It was just a bad moment on my part and I’m owning up to it and apologizing for it, but there was no intent to harm anybody or any organization in any way,” the 27-year-old outfielder said.
A fan seated behind home plate can be heard shouting, “Tennis racket! Tennis racket! You need a tennis racket!” Duran responded by asking the fan to “shut up” and calling him a slur. The Red Sox lost to the Houston Astros 10–2 in that game.
“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,” Duran stated.
“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,” he added.
The Red Sox echoed Duran’s apology and said they had immediately addressed the incident with him after the game.
“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 team said in a statement.
His suspension will begin Monday as the team faces the Texas Rangers.
Duran had played in all of the team’s games so far this season, hitting mostly leadoff and is one of the club’s top players, batting .291 with 14 homers and 58 RBIs. He was the MVP of the All-Star game in Texas, the fifth Red Sox player to win the award.
The exchange with the fan came after Duran was honored during a pregame ceremony as the team’s recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award, which recognizes one player per team who “demonstrates a passion for the game and best embodies its values, spirit, and traditions.”
