Red Sox star Jarren Duran reveals attempting suicide in new documentary following mental health struggles

In the new Boston Red Sox documentary, Jarren Duran opened up about his mental health struggles and admitted that he tried to end his life.

Red Sox star Jarren Duran reveals attempting suicide in new documentary following mental health struggles

Jarren Duran (Image via MLB)

In a new docuseries of the Boston Red Sox, “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox“, All-Star Jarren Duran revealed a horrifying moment of his life. The outfielder opened up about his struggles with mental health and admitted that he tried to take his own life.

Last year, Duran was one of the bright spots for the Red Sox. He hit 21 home runs and had 75 RBI while leading the American League in triples (14). His performance in 2024 earned him his first All-Star appearance.

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Before this success, Duran had some struggles as well. In his rookie season, Duran had a slash line of .215/.241/.336 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. The 2022 season saw him bat with a .221 average and hit 3 home runs, and have 17 doubles.

At that time, he even received some harsh comments from fans, with some screaming at him to go back to Triple-A. Things started turning for him since the 2023 season when he hit 8 home runs and 40 RBI while batting with a career high .295 average.

In the fourth episode of the series, which will be available on Netflix from Tuesday, Duran admitted that he did not want to be here anymore. When director Greg Whiteley interjected ‘here’ means Red Sox or Earth, the 28-year-old claimed “both.”

Probably both. Yeah. Probably both. I got to a point where I was sitting in my room, I had my rifle and I had a bullet and I pulled the trigger and the gun clicked, but nothing happened.

Jarren Duran said in the Red Sox docuseries

Duran came under massive heat last season after he hit back at a heckling fan. The outfielder would drop a homophobic slur which resulted in him earning a 2-game ban. He would later apologize for this.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora opens up about Jarren Duran’s struggles with mental health and suicide attempt

Jarren Duran opening up about his mental health struggles and his failed suicide attempt sent shockwaves across the MLB community. On Monday before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora opened up about Duran’s struggles.

Alex Cora and Jarren Duran
Alex Cora and Jarren Duran (Image via The Boston Globe/The Guardian)

Cora admitted that he knew about the suicide attempt of Duran. He would offer his support to him and had several private conversations regarding this topic. The Red Sox manager believes that him (Duran) opening up about this horrifying experience will “save lives” and help people.

It takes a person with courage and being transparent and genuine to do that and I hope that’s how we see it, that he will impact others and he’s going to save lives with what he did (on) Netflix.

Alex Cora said in the pregame press conference

Cora also expressed that mental health is one area that professional sports need to prioritize in. With the rapid increase of social media, several players have often received harmful comments following some poor performances.

Former MLB star lauds Jarren Duran for opening about his problems

After the story of Jarren Duran’s failed suicide story went viral, several users on social media came forward in his support. Among them was a former MLB star who lauded him for expressing his problems and called him “brave.”

Jarren Duran
Jarren Duran was named the 2024 All-Star Game MVP (Image via The Boston Globe)

While reacting to this development on X, former Detroit Tigers star Ben Verlander hailed him. The player-turned-analyst at first seemed to be speechless but then praised the Red Sox star.

Wow. No words. So brave of Jarren Duran to open up about his mental health and suicide attempt in 2022.

Ben Verlander on X

On Monday night, the Boston Red Sox celebrated Duran and held a special bobblehead night. The bobblehead figure was of him in the All-Star Game. He was named the MVP of this game. He slammed a two-run home run of Hunter Greene in the fifth inning to give the American League their first lead of the day.

So far this season, he is batting with a .245 average and has gone 12-for-49 in 11 games with 3 doubles, 1 triple and 7 RBI. As for the Red Sox, they are 6-5 for the season following a 2-6 loss on Monday against the Blue Jays. The two teams thus have a similar record and are 0.5 games behind the New York Yankees before heading into action on Tuesday.