Red Sox suspend Duran two games for insensitive remark

BOSTON -- The Red Sox took action against All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran on Monday, serving him with an unpaid two-game suspension due to the homophobic slur he uttered to a heckling fan during his team’s 10-2 loss to the Astros on Sunday.

The club’s decision to suspend Duran was made in consultation with MLB and will start Monday, the opener of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Duran will also be required to take part in a sensitivity training program.

“We were on the phone with Major League Baseball last night, immediately after addressing the issue with Jarren, so they were very heavily involved in the discussion and the outcome of the suspension,” said Red Sox president/CEO Sam Kennedy.

Additionally, Duran’s salary from the two-game suspension will be donated to Greater PFLAG Boston, part of PFLAG National, the United States’ largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people and those who love them.

Duran, who issued a statement apologizing for his actions on Sunday night, was again contrite while speaking to the media for roughly seven minutes on Monday afternoon.

“I just wanted to kind of say that I've had some fans reach out to me and tell me that they're disappointed in me and I just wanted to let them know that I'm sorry for my actions and I'm gonna work on being better for them,” said Duran.

The exchange between Duran and the fan seated behind home plate during the bottom of the sixth inning could be heard on NESN’s broadcast of the game.

Did Duran know he was wrong as soon as he said it?

“Yeah, I actually apologized to the umpire and the catcher for my actions because they were right there,” Duran said. “They heard me say it. But I'm assuming they cut the mic because of my inappropriate words so it wasn't picked up [on the broadcast]. But I know that I was apologizing to them for the word I had said.”

Duran was asked why he chose that word.

“There was no intent behind the word that was used,” Duran said. “It was just the heat of the moment and just happened to be said. It's on me for that word coming out. But there was no intent behind that word being used.”

MLB has worked hard to educate players on inclusivity, and meetings are held with all 30 teams every year in Spring Training.

It was not lost on the Red Sox that the unfortunate incident involving Duran occurred just five days after Billy Bean, the league’s Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, passed away at the age of 60 following an 11-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia.

“I’m glad you mentioned Billy Bean. We all are saddened by his passing and miss him. He was particularly close with the Red Sox organization,” said Kennedy. “We had him visit us several times, [he] had discussions with players. We've had training in the Minor Leagues around diversity, equity and inclusion, and also Major League Baseball mandatory training. Also some training that is not mandatory.

“Billy was a huge supporter of our front office, a huge asset for us, someone that we would have called on today. For sure, he would have been here. I guarantee you he would have been at the game tonight.”

Not only is Duran in the midst of a breakout season, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned several times in recent weeks how the leadoff man had emerged into a clubhouse leader.

Duran took his mistake hard, questioning his ability to lead.

“Yeah, I mean, I'm a terrible leader,” said Duran. “I know I shouldn't have said that word. And I know I'm gonna get looked down on for saying it and it's my own fault because I brought it on myself.”

Duran had a goal of playing in all 162 regular-season games this season, but his streak ended with the suspension.

Cora, Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow all vowed to use this experience as a reminder to keep doubling down on efforts regarding inclusion.

“The organization has been very proactive and active as far as inclusion. Just one mistake by the kid doesn't show who we are or who he is,” said Cora. “Obviously it was a bad moment. He's learned from it. We're learning from the situation and we're going to be better not only as individuals, but as an organization.”

“I think it is striking evidence that while we may have made strides and done great work [with inclusion], we haven't done nearly enough,” said Breslow. “I think an incident like this is an important reminder that there's still a ton of progress that needs to be made. And at the same time, I think we can acknowledge that Jarren has shown himself to be immediately accountable and is striving to do better, and we all can connect with that.”