Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran apologized for shouting the word “f****t” at a fan during a game Sunday against the Houston Astros in Boston, according to multiple reports.
With the Astros blowing out the Red Sox 10-0, Duran came to bat in the bottom of the sixth and quickly went down 0-2 in the strike count.
“Tennis racket! Tennis racket! You need a tennis racket!” a heckler can be heard shouting, according to NBC10.
Video of the encounter shows Duran, who had struck out in his first two at bats, turn toward the crowd and yell, “Shut up, you fucking fa**ot.” (RELATED: ‘You J*cked Off In a F*cking Parking Lot’: Cal Quantrill’s Savage Trolling Towards Reese McQuire Nearly Sparks Brawl)
Fan: “Tennis racket, tennis racket, you need a tennis racket”
Jarren Duran: “shut up you fucking fa***t”
— Evil Empire (@stanton2024mvp) August 12, 2024
After the Sox lost the game 10-2, Durran issued a statement apologizing for using “a truly horrific word” while yelling at the fan.
After the game, Jarren Duran apologized for using “a truly horrific word” when responding to the heckling fan at Fenway Park. https://t.co/9EErAuaYfF
— NECN (@NECN) August 12, 2024
Boston Globe sportswriter Julian McWilliams posted Duran’s apology and a statement from the Red Sox on Twitter.
“I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed,” Duran reportedly said. “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,” the all-star outfielder added. “I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and grow as a person.”
DENVER, CO – JULY 23: Rob Refsnyder #30, Jarren Duran #16 and Tyler O’Neill #17 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate a 6-0 win against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 23, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JULY 27: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Soxv high-fives Tyler O’Neill #17 after scoring a run on a a RBI hit by Masataka Yoshida (not seen) during the second inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 27, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 9: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a double during the first inning of a game against the Houston Astros on August 9, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 11: Manager Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox reacts with Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox as he is presented with the Heart & Hustle Award before a game against the Houston Astros on August 11, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
The Red Sox said that they echoed “Jarren’s apology” to their fans, “especially to the LGBTQ community.”
“We strive to be an organization that welcomes all fans to Fenway Park, and we will continue to educate employees, players, coaches, and staff on the importance of inclusivity,” the Red Sox organization continued.
Duran, whose 13 triples are the most in Major League Baseball, ended the day 0-3.
