Outfielder Jarren Duran has been issued a two-game, unpaid suspension for directing a homophobic slur toward a fan during Sunday night’s loss, the Boston Red Sox announced Monday.
The suspension is effective immediately.
According to the Red Sox, Duran’s salary from the suspension will be donated to PFLAG, an organization dedicated to supporting members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the United States.
The exchange between Duran and the fan was caught on a hot mic at as the outfielder stepped up to his third at-bat.
A fan at Fenway Park can be heard shouting “Tennis racket! Tennis racket! You need a tennis racket!” Duran turned his head toward the fan and replied: “Shut up,” followed by a curse word and the slur. The at-bat ended with Duran being walked.
The 27-year-old later apologized.
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,” Duran said in a statement released by the team. “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.”
He finished by saying he would use the episode to educate himself and grow as a person.
The team in a statement said it has spoken with Duran about the incident.
“The Red Sox addressed this incident with Jarren immediately following today’s game. We echo Jarren’s apology to our fans, especially to the LGBTQ community,” the team said. “We strive to be an organization that welcomes all fans to Fenway Park, and we will continue to educate our employees, players, coaches and staff on the importance of inclusivity.”
Duran is one of Boston’s top hitters this season with a .291 average, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs.
The exchange with the fan came after Duran was honoured during a pre-game ceremony as the team’s recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award, which recognizes one player per team who “demonstrates a passion for the game and best embodies its values, spirit, and traditions.”
— With files from Associated Press
