Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been suspended for two games after directing a homophobic slur toward a heckling fan during Sunday’s 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros, the team announced Monday.
Additionally, Duran’s salary from the suspension will be donated to the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
The exchange with the fan was caught on a live mic of the broadcast, which occurred when Duran — who was 0 for 2 with two strikeouts at that point in the game — was at the plate in the sixth inning.
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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.
Duran issued an apology through the team a few hours after Sunday’s game ended.
“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.”
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,” the team said. “We echo Jarren’s apology to our 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 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 honored during a pregame 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.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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