BOSTON Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran was named MVP of the All-Star Game after hitting a two-run home run to give the American League a 5-3 lead.
Duran’s parents, Octavio and Dena, were on hand at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on July 16 to celebrate their son’s achievement – but what do we know about them?
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Who are Jarren Duran, Octavio and Dena’s parents?
Duran is the son of Octavio and Dena Duran.
Otávio was born in Mexico while Dena is of Puerto Rican descent.
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The pair have wholeheartedly supported Jarren’s baseball career since he was a child.
Octavio noticed his son’s natural talent when Jarren was just two years old.
He told Sportskeeda: “At two years old I gave him a bat.
“I threw a ball at him, and he actually hit the ball at me. I was like ‘Oh, okay.’
“From then on I thought he had something special.”
Octavio had a passion for weightlifting, which encouraged Jarren to stay in shape throughout his childhood.
Jaren became just the fifth Red Sox player to win the All-Star Game MVP award.
His proud parents ran onto the field after the game to give their son heartfelt hugs.
Octavio said: “Ever since he was little, he would go to tournaments and camps and the kids would win trophies and he would always say, ‘Dad, don’t worry about it. I’m going to win the big one’.
“He definitely won the MVP award.”
The star athlete’s parents played a crucial role in supporting him through the mental challenges of transitioning to life in the MLB.
As of 2022, Jarren is still in the minor leagues, has seen his play deteriorate occasionally, and has yet to cement a spot on the Red Sox roster.
“I threw a ball at him and he hit the ball back to me. From then on I thought he had something special.”
Octavio Durán
After making an effort to be honest about his feelings, he acknowledged that he was sometimes “depressed” and avoided talking to his family about his dark times.
Dena said: “We are so proud of him for doing this.
“Last year, he was trying not to get in anyone’s way and basically wasn’t being himself. And I think he just decided, ‘I have to be myself if I want to do this.’
“In the WBC, him wearing the Sombrero all the time, that’s his personality. He just decided to do it.”
Who is Jarren Duran?
Jarren Duran is an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.
The baseball ace was born on September 5, 1996 in Corona, California.
He played three seasons at Long Beach State University from 2016 to 2018, primarily as a second baseman.
He was drafted by the Red Sox in 2018 in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball Draft.
He made his MLB debut on July 17, 2021 in center field against the New York Yankees.
Duran played in 33 total games for Boston during the regular season, batting .215 with two home runs and ten RBIs.
The Red Sox sensation represented Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic as a tribute to his father’s heritage.
Jarren said the Boston Globe at the time: “It will be an honor to play for my father’s home country.
“I’m very excited to represent Mexico and do everything I can to help them win.”
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