Movies

Red Sox’s Jarren Duran reveals suicide attempt in Netflix doc: ‘I’m still here and I’m still fighting’

BBG News

Jarren Duran’s journey to becoming the leadoff hitter for the Boston Red Sox, being crowned the MVP of the 2024 All-Star Game, and boosting his income by securing a one-year contract worth $3.75 million with an option to renew for $8 million in 2026 has been far from a straight path.

The ex-player of California State Long Beach and Cypress High School (in the outfield position) openly discusses his battles with mental health issues, which have included a heated exchange with a spectator, wearing a shirt with offensive language, and, most alarmingly for Duran and his family, an episode of depression and a suicide attempt in 2022.

In a chat for a Netflix docuseries titled “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox”, which is set to air on Tuesday, Duran expressed that his self-criticism had reached such extremes that he found life unbearable.

In the documentary, Duran expressed that he had been receiving criticism from fans. He shared that their comments felt similar to self-criticism he’d experienced ten times over. That period was particularly challenging for him; he admitted that there were moments when he didn’t feel like being around any longer.

The 28-year-old described the moment he nearly killed himself in frighteningly stark terms.

He found himself in his room, holding his rifle and a bullet, only for the gun to click instead of firing when he pulled the trigger. To this day, he believes God may have prevented him from ending his life because he can’t fathom why it didn’t discharge. This incident made him ponder, leading him to introspection, as if God were showing him that he had a purpose and needed to stay alive, so he began looking at himself in the mirror more thoughtfully after this unexpected event.

I found myself questioning if I truly belonged here. Regardless of why you are here, let’s embrace who you are and perform, act, and live according to your own desires.

Sports

As a devoted cinephile putting it in my own words, here’s how I’d rephrase that:

“I, as a passionate moviegoer, find myself reflecting on the situation of Jarren Duran, alumnus of Long Beach State and Cypress High. Unfortunately, he’s been benched for two games by the Red Sox due to an unfortunate incident where he reacted to a heckler with a derogatory remark against the LGBTQ+ community.

2024 was a breakthrough year for Duran, as he topped the American League in several categories: doubles (48), triples (14), times at bat (735) including plate appearances, and hits (671). He hit .285 with 191 hits, scoring 111 runs, hitting 21 home runs, and stealing 34 bases.

2023 marked the start of his upward trajectory. In this year, he achieved a batting average of .295 and stole 24 bases in 102 games following his recall from Triple-A. This climb was mirrored by his fresh determination.

Sam Kennedy, the President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, expressed his admiration for Jarren’s bravery in a statement, stating that by sharing his personal story, he extends courage far beyond the boundaries of baseball. His act of opening up communicates to those who might be facing similar struggles that they are not isolated and that seeking help is not only acceptable but crucial.

All the individuals within this organization remain steadfast in their allegiance towards him. We hold him in the highest esteem, have consistently backed him, and feel incredibly lucky to have him on our side.

2018 saw Duran drafted in the seventh round by the Red Sox, fresh from Cal State Long Beach. Throughout his college days and initial professional stint, he showcased impressive agility and speed, yet minimal power output. However, 2021 marked a shift for him as he smacked 16 home runs across 60 games in triple-A, which eventually earned him a call-up to the Red Sox roster.

Despite his efforts, he had a difficult time, managing a batting average of just .215 with two home runs over 33 matches. The subsequent season saw similar results, with impressive statistics in the minor leagues followed by a .221 average and three home runs in 58 games.

Or:

He gave it his all, but it was tough going as he hit .215 with two homers across 33 games. The following year mirrored this struggle, showcasing strong numbers in the minor leagues before batting .221 with three home runs in 58 matches.

By August 2022, he was experiencing a mental downturn and shared with MassLive, “I can’t discuss it extensively, but this year has been particularly challenging for me. Maintaining my position in the major leagues has been an uphill battle. I usually avoid discussing my difficult periods with my family as I tend to isolate myself from others.

I’ve been feeling quite torn up inside and it often leads me to feel quite sad and overwhelmed. Reaching out to others seems difficult for me because I don’t want to burden them with my issues. Instead, I tend to keep my struggles to myself, which unfortunately only makes things more difficult.

USC Sports

Tom experienced difficulty discovering meaning in his life as he wrestled deeply with depression. However, at USC, Tom has discovered a setting conducive to his growth and flourishing.

Major League Baseball provides mental health support for players, which proved beneficial for Duran, while both the major and minor league teams under the Red Sox organization have consistently offered extensive healthcare services.

The Boston Red Sox have extended support services such as mental health screenings, crisis response procedures, educational resources, and access to both on-site care providers and reliable external specialists. This comprehensive support system encompasses all seven of their Minor League affiliates and is the result of cooperation between medical, performance, and coaching staff to ensure assistance at every level.

In late August, just a few weeks after receiving the MVP title at the All-Star Game following his two-run homer that contributed to the American League’s win, Duran faced a two-game suspension due to an outburst where he used a derogatory term toward a fan who was taunting him, which is considered a homophobic slur.

Afterward, Duran apologized to reporters, but his actions were somewhat questionable as he wore a shirt that said “F— ’em.” Some people found it puzzling if he truly meant to show contrition given the message on his T-shirt. Interestingly, the shirt was chosen by Duran himself and was also worn by his teammates as a sign of support for his struggle with mental health issues.

As a movie buff, I’ve found that beating back depression is an ongoing struggle for me. Each day, I keep a personal diary and use written prompts to motivate myself in the fight.

He explained, “On the band around my left wrist, I’ve inscribed, ‘F— ’em,’ as a way of communicating to my inner struggles that I won’t let them disrupt me. On the other side, my right wrist bears the words, ‘Still alive,’ reminding myself and others that despite the challenges, I am persisting.

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2025-04-08 01:01

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