Ladies and Gentlemen, Jarren Duran
I admit baseball is the sport that is covered here the least. But if I’m writing about it, then you know there is something worth while to talk about. Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been the team MVP this season. He became the first player in history to record 10 triples, 20 homeruns, 30 stolen bases, and 40 doubles in a season. All of those numbers are still counting by the way. Duran also got his first All-Star nod this year and was named the MVP of the game.
There’s More
Duran has had a hot bat from the leadoff spot. More than once he smoked one of the first pitches of the game into the seats. He’s most dangerous when he’s on base. He is always a threat to steal and his speed can turn an everyday single or double into so much more. Durran is just fun to watch and we haven’t even talked about his defense yet.
It hasn’t been perfect. none of the Boston fielding has. But Duran can make highlight reel plays, steal homeruns, and his arm is very good. The Red Sox are probably not going to make the playoffs. There has been too much inconsistency and stop me if you heard this before, the pitching is still abysmal. But Duran is making a compelling case to be MVP of the American League. Some sports base awards also on team success which in this case would not be fair. An MVP in baseball in my opinion should go to the player having the most impressive statistical season. It may not be enough to get the MVP of the whole league, but he should be a lock for the American League.
Hate to Mention This, but….
Sadly I also have to briefly acknowledge that he did make a mistake. A few weeks ago Duran had to serve a two game suspension for shouting a slur at a heckling spectator. I am not going to say that word here. But the team took action, admitted he made a mistake as did Duran, and now it’s over. Social media of course went on the attack and turned on Duran, with some saying that they would never root for him again. And I do understand that sentiment. I’ve worked with a community where some of the words directed towards them are not always the kindest either, and part of our jobs were to educate people on why that’s not the right thing to do.
But let’s pump the breaks for a second. So many athletes are still being allowed to continue playing for doing things far worse. I agree that Duran should have used a different word or just kept his mouth shut. He lost his cool, it happens. Keep in mind though that other athletes have committed criminal offenses and they have gotten away with and are still playing. The hate towards Duran needs to stop. He made a mistake, owned up to it, and now we move on. I give him credit for taking accountability where plenty of others don’t. It’s still a good story and you aren’t a bad person for supporting him or his team. That’s all I’m saying.
It wasn’t that long ago that Duran’s future in baseball was very much in doubt. He admitted that and he wasn’t in a good place. Now he’s playing like one of the best players in the game. In sports we all love a good bounce back story and that’s what this is. What he is doing is remarkable, so let’s just enjoy and appreciate it as much as we can while we have it.