Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was caught on a hot mic directing a homophobic slur at a heckling fan as Boston dropped a third straight game to the visiting Houston Astros on Sunday.
‘Shut up you f***ing f*****,’ Duran was heard saying on NESN’s broadcast.
The NESN booth either did not hear the expletive or simply ignored it. Play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien simply told the audience that ‘Duran is at .296 with runners in scoring position for the year.’
Duran, a first-year All-Star in 2024, has since apologized.
‘During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,’ Duran said in a statement. ‘I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed. 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 fell far short of that responsibility.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was caught on a hot mic directing a homophobic slur
Duran is one of Boston’s top hitters this year with a .291 average and 14 homers
‘I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person.’
Although the audio isn’t entirely clear, the heckler sounded as though he was telling Duran that he needed a tennis racket to hit Astros starter Hunter Brown on Sunday.
The fan may have been right, as Duran ended up striking out three times on the day.
Boston is currently plummeting in the American Wild Card race after dropping their last four games, including a 3-game sweep at the hands of the visiting Astros.
The struggling Red Sox (61-55) will now host Texas’ other team, the Rangers, for a three-game set.
Duran, who is one of Boston’s top hitters this year with a .291 average and 14 homers, was honored before the game with the team’s Heart and Hustle award.
Major League Baseball has yet to respond to the incident publicly.
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