We Stand with you, Duran!

Jarren Duran in heated exchange with fan

CONTENT WARNING: This blog discloses topics on suicide thoughts and attempt.

This past weekend, MLB's Boston Red Sox faced off against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland. During the game, a Guardians fan yelled out "disturbing" remarks to Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, which caused Duran to get heated which forced his teammates to hold him back.

According to fans and reporters who witnessed this exchange live, the Guardians fan allegedly mocked Duran on his past suicide attempt, which he has publicly spoken out about in a recent Netflix documentary. Duran recalls using a rifle back in 2022 on himself, but explains that nothing happened, even with a bullet in the rifle and hearing the gun click. Since opening about his heartbreaking attempt, he received only kind reactions from the MLB world, but this Guardians fan decided to use it against him.

After the exchange between the fan and Duran, fans all in the section, both Red Sox and Guardians fans, asked for the fan to be kicked out, which was followed by security escorting him out of the stadium.

Following the game, Duran spoke with the media, saying:

"He said something inappropriate, but I’m happy that security handled it....security was aware of it and took care of it for me."

The Guardians then released a statement, saying:

" We are aware of the situation that took place during today’s game between a fan and one of the Red Sox players that violated our fan conduct policy. We recognize the gravity of the behavior at issue here and take very seriously conduct of this nature. We apologize to the Red Sox organization, the player involved, fans in the area and are addressing the situation. We have identified the fan in question and will work with Major League Baseball regarding next steps. We strive to provide the best experience to visiting players and fans, and that fell short today."

I hope to see the MLB take this matter very seriously and ban this fan from every stadium in the MLB. This kind of behaviour has no place in society, let alone sports. Many of us watch and play sports to escape from the reality of hatred in the world, so seeing someone "okay" with using this kind of language at a sporting event is sad to see.

Everyone stands with you, Duran!