MLB star Jarren Duran has opened up on the harrowing moment he tried to take his own life after failing to hit the ground running with the Boston Red Sox.
Duran, who entered the major leagues with the Red Sox in 2021, endured a miserable rookie campaign in Boston after hitting .215 with just two home runs and 10 RBIs.
His sophomore year also proved a frustrating one, with the former seventh-round draft pick only putting up a slightly better average of .221 with 17 RBIs in 58 games.
And as he struggled to come to terms with his poor form on the field, Duran reached such a low point that he attempted suicide.
In the fourth episode of Netflix documentary ‘The Clubhouse’ – which is released on Tuesday – he revealed how close he came to killing himself during a dark period in his life.
‘I got to the 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,’ he said.
MLB star Jarren Duran has opened up on the harrowing moment he tried to take his own life
The Red Sox outfielder revealed that he attempted suicide during his early struggles in Boston
‘To this day, I think God just didn’t let me take my own life because I seriously don’t know why it didn’t go off.
‘But I took it as a sign of like, “Alright, I might have to be here for a reason.”‘
After being recalled from Triple-A early in 2023, Duran turned his stuttering MLB career around when he hit .295 with 40 RBIs in 102 games that season, while stealing 24 bases and scoring 46 runs.
Last year he then became a first-time All-Star – and was MVP of that game – after setting career highs in home runs (21), runs (111), RBI (75) and stolen bases (34).
The California-born star, who recently secured a new one-year deal for $3.85 million with Boston that includes a team option for 2026, also finished eighth in the MVP voting.
Three years after his failed suicide attempt, Duran now gives himself frequent reminders to prioritize his mental health.
‘On [the tape on] my left wrist, I write, “F*** ’em,” because it’s me telling my demons, “You’re not going to faze me”,’ he added in the docuseries.
‘And on my right wrist, I write, “Still alive” because I’m still here and I’m still fighting.’
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) in the USA, or Samaritans on 116 123 for confidential help in the UK.
