Red Sox’s Jarren Duran apologizes for calling fan a homophobic slur during game

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran apologized Sunday night after uttering a homophobic slur toward a heckler while batting against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park.

The slur was not said out loud, but it was loud enough to be picked up by NESN’s live broadcast of the matchup, which Boston lost 10-2.

According to video taken from the broadcast, the fan yelled at Duran — the outfielder swung and missed a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning — repeatedly saying he would need a tennis racket to hit the baseball.

Duran turned toward the fan and uttered the slur before assuming a batting stance for the next pitch, the video shows.

In a statement, the 2024 All-Star characterized the slur as a “truly horrible word,” saying he felt bad about the incident and will use it as an occasion to learn.

“I feel terrible knowing how many people I have offended and disappointed,” Duran said. “I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly, to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans should be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility.”

The Red Sox said in a statement that the organization echoed Duran’s apology, “especially to the LGBTQ community.”

The team said it immediately responded to the slur at the end of the game.

“We strive to be an organization that welcomes all fans to Fenway Park and will continue to educate our staff, players, coaches and staff on the importance of inclusion,” the team said.

It was unclear whether Duran would face discipline from Major League Baseball. Similar incidents in the past have been met with league-mandated sensitivity and diversity education, as well as game suspensions.