Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been handed a two-game suspension after he was heard directing a homophobic slur toward a fan during Sunday’s loss to the Houston Astros.
Duran, who was named to his first MLB All-Star team last month, was caught on an open microphone yelling at a booing spectator at Fenway Park: “Shut up, you fucking moron.”
A day after the incident, the Red Sox announced that the 27-year-old had received a two-game suspension without pay and that his salary from the affected games would be donated to the LGBTQ+ group, the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Before receiving the suspension, Duran issued an apology through his team, admitting that he failed as a role model for young fans.
In a statement on Sunday, he said: “During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrible word when responding to a fan. I feel terrible knowing how many people I offended and disappointed.”
Red Sox’s Jarren Duran apologized after directing homophobic slur toward fan
The outfielder admits he failed as a role model for younger fans during the game.
“I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly, to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans are supposed to be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I failed to live up to that responsibility.
‘I will take this opportunity to educate myself and my colleagues and grow as a person.’
Although the audio was not entirely clear, the harasser appeared to have been taunting Duran by telling him he needed a tennis racket to hit Astros starter Hunter Brown.
The fan may have been right, as the Red Sox star ended up striking out three times on the day.
The NESN booth either didn’t hear Duran’s homophobic slur or simply ignored it, with announcer Dave O’Brien simply telling the audience, “Duran is hitting .296 with runners in scoring position on the year.”
Duran, who is one of Boston’s top hitters this year with a .291 average and 14 home runs, was honored before the game with the team’s Heart and Hustle Award.