Boston Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran has been suspended two games after directing a homophobic slur toward a fan during Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros. The suspension will begin with Monday night’s game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Duran’s two-game salary will be donated to PFLAG, the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The incident occurred in the sixth inning Sunday when durran was at bat. A fan was heard heckling Duran and the NESN broadcast mic picked up his comment.
The #RedSox today issued a two-game suspension to Jarren Duran. pic.twitter.com/YlinXxOAWy
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 12, 2024
Jarren Duran Suspended for Two Games
Duran did issue an apologize in a statement Sunday night for using “a truly horrific word when responding to a fan.” Shorlty after the announcement of his suspension, Duran told reporters that he “let the moment get the best of me.”
The suspension isn’t the only occurance where a player uttered anti-gay slurs. In 2017, MLB suspended Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce for two games for directing an a derogatory comment to a fan. Then-Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar was given a two-game suspension in that same season after uttering a similar slur to Duran’s at Atlanta Braves reliever Jason Motte. Five years earlier, Blue Jays infielder Yunel Escobar was banned for three games for wearing eye-black stickers with a Spanish slur.
Duran is having a breakout season for the Red Sox, hitting .291/.350/503 with 14 home runs and 28 stolen bases. He leads the American League with 36 doubles and the majors with 13 triples. He was named to his first All-Star team and won All-Star Game MVP after hitting a go-ahead home run in the fifth inning.
Prior to Sunday’s game, Duran was the recipient of the team’s Heart & Hustle Award for 2024.
Main Photo: © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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