Still Alive

Still Alive

Jarren Duran writes reminders on his wrist tape. "Still alive." Amid 2022 on-field struggles and fan criticism, he reached a dark place and attempted suicide with a rifle that clicked but did not fire. He interpreted it as a sign from God to keep going and live fully. He shared the story in a Netflix documentary, and his parents — Octavio and Dena — expressed gratitude for his courage in helping others. Manager Alex Cora has praised that openness and said their relationship grew through private conversations and support.

On May 12, 2026, Duran stole his 100th career base.

The Road He Took

He was born in Corona, California, and grew up a Red Sox fan who idolized Dustin Pedroia. He played second base at Long Beach State — listed from Buena Park, majoring in psychology — when Boston took him in the seventh round, 220th overall, in the 2018 draft. He said he paid little attention to the round or the money. He would have signed for a bus ticket just to play.

During the 2020 pandemic shutdown, he went home and trained in the garage gym his father had built years earlier. Octavio joined him after work. Duran squatted over 400 pounds, and the strength changed his swing.

He debuted on July 17, 2021, and has spent every season since in Boston — six years, one club. He has 105 stolen bases and 37 triples, 63 home runs and 150 doubles. In 2024, he made his first All-Star team and won the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP. This season, through 94 games, he has 13 home runs.

Reporting: MLB.com, MassLive, EssentiallySports, Long Beach State Athletics, Wikipedia. Career and biographical data: MLB StatsAPI, via the Fever engine.