Red Sox all-star dealing with ramifications of exchange with heckler

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — Red Sox all-star Jarren Duran is still dealing with the fallout after his retort to a fan went viral on Sunday.

Duran was out of the lineup again on Tuesday, serving the second game of a two-game suspension after he used a homophobic slur in a bout of frustration towards a heckler.

The staggering exchange of words was caught on tape Sunday at Fenway Park.

Many viewers, including members of the press watching from upstairs, were taken aback immediately.

“It’s kind of shocking that somebody would use that language in 2024,” MassLive Columnist Sean McAdam said. “Sort of even more disturbing were the circumstances. This was a fan that was heckling Duran, but not in a personal, over-the-line kind of way.”

The Red Sox handed down a two-game suspension for Duran the next day.

“I thought the Red Sox acted pretty swiftly, which is the right way to attack something like this,” McAdam said. “I was a little surprised that they didn’t have any disciplinary measure on Sunday night, because I thought that would ultimately be part of this component.”

Duran addressed the comments on Monday.

“I just let the moment get the best of me and said something I shouldn’t be saying,” Duran said. “There was no intent behind the word that was used, it was just the heat of the moment.”

Despite his successes on the field, those with close ties to the organization believe Duran’s actions left the Red Sox with no choice but to suspend him.

“To be consistent as an organization, the Red Sox have preached inclusion, they have talked about wanting everyone to feel welcome,” McAdam said. “So when something like this happens, I think you’re obligated to address it in a respectful way.”

“If you slap a player on the wrist and put a statement out, then that’s not taking a very strong stance against the things that run counter to the principles you’ve been espousing,” he continued.

Organizational management echoed that sentiment on Monday.

“We’ve worked really hard these past two and a half decades to make sure Fenway Park is a place where everyone feels welcome,” Red Sox President Sam Kennedy said.

“I think it is striking evidence that, while we may have made strides and made great work, we haven’t done nearly enough,” Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow added.

Duran has been open about his mental health struggles during a tumultuous young career.

“I think they have to provide him some support…and there have to be some allowances for the struggles that go on,” McAdam said. “But it doesn’t give you license to use that kind of language directed angrily at others.”

The fanbase fragmented following the incident, with some using the suspension as a rallying cry.

“No matter what someone says, there’s going to be somebody trying to defend it or provide some rationale for it, and that’s ok,” McAdam said. “There is a responsibility for an organization to make sure that it is represented in that way that it hopes and is consistent with its principles.”

Duran’s salary from the two-game suspension will be donated to an organization dedicated to supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community.

He will also have to attend sensitivity training.