Boston Red Sox star outfielder Jarren Duran was suspended for two games after responding to a heckling fan with an insulting remark.
The Red Sox were down 10-0 to the Houston Astros when Duran came to bat in the sixth inning. As he adjusted his equipment, jeers could be heard chastising the All-Star.
Fans can be heard yelling, “Tennis rackets, tennis rackets, we need tennis rackets!”
Duran then turned to the crowd and could be heard saying, “Shut up, you motherfuckers!”
The Red Sox ended up losing. 10-2 After giving up nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
“During tonight’s game I used some really horrible language in response to a fan.”
The audio is Live BroadcastDuran said he realized it immediately and quickly apologized to home plate umpire Jordan Baker and Astros catcher Yainer Diaz.
“They were right there and they heard me say it and I guess they cut off my microphone because of my inappropriate comments,” Duran said.
In a statement, the 27-year-old apologised for using what were truly “horrible words” towards the onlookers.
“During tonight’s game I used some really horrible language in response to a fan.”
“I am deeply sorry about how many people I have offended and disappointed. I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization and most importantly to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans should be able to look up to me as a role model and tonight I fell completely short of that responsibility.”
As is common in such cases, Duran said he plans to undergo re-education.
“I want to use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and grow as people.”
The Californian said his choice of words was unintentional and he was simply “getting emotional”, adding that fans had been heckling him “throughout the game”.
“I said things I shouldn’t have said,” Duran added.
The Red Sox announced they would donate their lost salary from the two games ($8,172) to a gay activist group called PFLAG, formerly known as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. ESPN.
the”What we stand forOn its ” ” page, PFLAG touts its support for transgenderism, race-based activism, and the introduction of gay-centered education in schools.
The Red Sox president and CEO called the day after Duran’s suspension a “difficult” and “disappointing,” but said he was proud of the team’s response and that Duran “admitted his terrible mistake.”
“There’s a lot of work to do and I’m here to help him out,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
“He made a big mistake and he lives with it, right?” Cora told reporters. “As a coach, I have to do my job. As a person, there’s more to me than that. What I can do as a person is support him and help him get better.”
A Boston Herald reporter previously reported that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu had requested a meeting with Duran about his comments. Post to X It has since been removed and the report has not been verified.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censorship and sign up for our newsletter to receive stories like this directly to your inbox. Register here!
