Jarren Duran treats family to All-Star Game MVP Award

ARLINGTON, Texas – Octavio Duran first handed his son Jarren Duran a bat when the Boston Red Sox slugger was 2 years old. In their living room in Corona, Calif., that day, Octavio pitched a Wiffle ball at his toddler.

Jarren smoked the pitch right back at his dad. That’s when Octavio knew Jarren had a bright future in baseball. Almost 25 years later, Octavio Duran and his six family members were treated to a notable moment at Globe Life Field as Jarren was named the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP.

The Durans were sitting behind the first base dugout Tuesday night when Jarren smoked a two-run, go-ahead home run to right field in the All-Star Game. He gave the American League a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning, and it was just enough for the AL to win the 94th Midsummer Classic. 

“I mean, it’s kind of hard to put into words,” Jarren Duran said of his go-ahead home run. “But honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about my family and being able to go see them after the game. But I’m just thankful that I was able to do that and help the AL team win.”

Jarren Duran honored

Jarren Duran received the 2024 Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP Trophy. The Mexican American became the fifth Red Sox player to win the award. He followed J.D Drew (2008), Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez (1999), Roger Clemens (1986) and Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski (1970).

A special night for the Duran fam. pic.twitter.com/tZETigd2Ht

— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 17, 2024

Duran, who represented Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, became the first Red Sox to homer in the All-Star Game since fellow Mexican American Adrian Gonzalez did it in 2011.

Octavio was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, the same state where Ted Williams’ maternal grandparents were born. The late Williams, a 19-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, is the greatest Mexican American ballplayer of all time.

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“That’s an honor,” Duran said of winning an award named after the Red Sox’s great. “Who else would I want to try to follow in the footsteps of besides a guy like that, who is not just a great baseball player but a great human being? That guy was awesome, and I’m honored to be able to have his award.”

With a big smile on his face, Jarren embraced the hardware with his family. He gave his mother, Dena, a big hug. Following her was Octavio.

Proud father

“I was trying to keep it together,” Octavio said when he saw Jarren after the game. “I almost lost it, but he always seems to amaze me and everybody. 

“Ever since he was little, I would put him in tournaments and camps, and kids would win trophies. He would always say, ‘Dad, don’t worry about it, I’ll win the big one.’ And sure enough he won the MVP award.”

Duran’s All-Star Game excellence capped an impressive first half for the Red Sox. The 6-foot-2 outfielder is batting .284 with 113 hits, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. He leads the AL with 27 doubles and the majors with 10 triples.

Moreover, Duran is the first AL player ever to record at least 100 hits, 10 triples, 10 home runs, and 20 stolen bases before the All-Star break.

It’s “just the confidence in himself to think that he is at this level, that he can play at this level,” Octavio said of Jarren. “A great worker. He works really hard and he never thinks he’s better than anybody else. He’s just very humble, and that’s what’s gotten him to where he is now.”