Sales of Red Sox player Jarren Duran’s jersey have skyrocketed in the days following the outfielder’s use of a homophobic slur during a game.
Duran was walking up to the plate during a game against the Houston Astros last weekend when a spectator shouted out that the player needed a tennis racket to get a hit. In response, Duran told the heckler to “Shut up” and then added the slur, per Fox News.
The Red Sox outfielder promptly received significant backlash for using the word while speaking with a fan, with the organization choosing to suspend him without pay for two games.
Boston also announced that the salary Duran would lose due to the suspension would be donated to an LGBTQ group called the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, according to The Hill.
The 27-year-old made his return to the lineup on Wednesday night in a loss against the Texas Rangers, but many fans have seemingly come to his defense as his jersey sales have been among the highest in the league following the announcement of his suspension.
Duran’s jersey was the most-sold jersey on the MLB store leading up to his return to the lineup, ahead of MLB superstars such as Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, according to Fox News.
Although fans have supported Duran amid his suspension from the team, the outfielder admitted his mistake and said in a statement that he used a “truly horrific word when responding to a fan.”
“I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed,” he added, as reported by The Hill.
“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.”
Duran has had a breakout year so far during the 2024 season as he has hit .290 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs to lead him to the MLB All-Star Game, where he was named the All-Star Game MVP for his performance in the win.