The Boston Red Sox’s 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros was the least of their worries on Sunday.
During his sixth-inning at-bat in the series finale at Fenway Park, Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was caught using a hot mic to yell a homophobic slur at a booing fan. After the fan yelled, “Tennis racket! Tennis racket! You need a tennis racket!” Duran responded, “Shut up,” followed by a slur and the slur.
The Red Sox disciplined Duran on Monday, announcing that the 27-year-old has received a two-game unpaid suspension for the incident. His salary for those two games will be donated to PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
Shortly after Duran’s suspension was announced, Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy and baseball president Craig Breslow addressed the controversy.
“This is a really difficult day,” Kennedy told reporters. “Disappointing, unacceptable event yesterday. But I’m proud of how the organization immediately responded to it and proud of Jarren for owning up to his terrible mistake and taking responsibility, but it was a tough day.”
Breslow shared Kennedy’s views.
“I think it’s a clear demonstration that while we’ve made progress and we’ve done a great job, it’s not nearly enough,” Breslow said. “I think an incident like this is an important reminder that there’s still a lot of progress to be made, and at the same time, I think we can recognize that Jarren immediately took responsibility and is striving to do better. …
“It’s disappointing and frustrating,” he added. “I think at the same time, we see that Jarren, as a leader that he may be, also has flaws, and we all are, and people make mistakes. What matters is what happens now and what consistent steps Jarren takes to repair his relationship not only with his teammates in the organization, but with the LGBTQ community and everyone who’s been impacted.”
Duran apologized after Sunday’s game and spoke to the media about the incident on Monday.
“I just wanted to say that some fans have reached out to me and told me they are disappointed in me,” he said. “And I wanted to let them know that I am sorry for my behavior and that I will work to be better for them.”
During the Red Sox’s loss to the Astros, outfielder Jarren Duran was heard using homophobic slurs as he addresses the media after the league imposed a two-game unpaid suspension.
Duran’s two-game suspension begins Monday when the Red Sox begin a crucial three-game series against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. The 2024 MLB All-Star Game MVP has played in all 116 of Boston’s games to date.
