Inside-the-park home runs are rare. So rare, that in an MLB 162 game season, there are only about ten to thirteen of them. No team likes to be on the receiving end of one, but even worse, is to be the player  in the center of the play. This was exactly the case for Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran in 2022, when he lost sight of a ball in center field, allowing Raimel Tapia to score an inside-the-park grand slam in a 28-5 loss. This was one of the lowest points in Duran’s career. He questioned if he had what it takes to stay in the big leagues. Over the next two years, he would work to find that answer.

Who is Jarren Duran?

Duran was selected by the Red Sox in the 7th round of the 2018 MLB. Over the course of the next three seasons, he climbed the ranks within the organization, being named High-A Player of the Year in 2019 and breaking into baseball’s top 100 prospect list. In 2021, he made his Major League debut, and had a .215  batting average in 33 games played. The next year, Duran had an up-and-down season, struggling at the plate once again, batting just .221 in 58 games with the Sox.

“I was just looking at every negative thing someone could say about me. I was telling myself how bad I was every day and that I didn’t deserve to be here,” he told the Foul Territory podcast while reflecting on the 2022 season.

During the 2022 offseason, Duran took some time to reflect on his career and came back in 2023 with a new hunger and a new message.

Still Alive

In 2023, Duran had the breakout season he was waiting for, batting .295 and smashing eight home runs. At this time, he began writing messages to himself to help with his mental health throughout the season.

“I’m still here. So I write that on my right wrist. And then I write ‘I’m still alive,’ because I went through some tough times when I didn’t think I would be here. But I’m still here, still fighting” he told reporters earlier this season.

“That’s kind of a daily reminder to myself that if all things are going bad and I’m having a bad game, it will never be as bad as when I was going through that stuff. I just think it means keep fighting the good fight, man. I know everybody’s struggling with something out there. So I just think it’s important for everybody to realize that they’re worth being here,” he said. “Everybody’s worth everything to each other. I think just reaching out to each other and reaching out to friends and not being afraid to accept that you’re struggling a little bit. I think that was my biggest thing—accepting and not being afraid to ask for help.”

The All-Star

This season, Duran continued to play well, hitting .288 with 30 doubles and 12 home runs, earning his first All-Star team selection.

In the 5th inning of the 2024 All-Star Game, with the game tied at three, Duran crushed a homer to give the American League a lead that they would never relinquish. After the game, Duran was presented with the MVP award for his stellar performance.

Duran’s journey over the past two seasons has been a complete 180 degree change. Going from thinking he wasn’t good enough to even be in the league, to becoming an All-Star MVP shows us the power of his “still alive” mentality, and it’s something we can all benefit from. If we are still alive and still fighting, there is no telling where we will end up.