The Boston Red Sox built their legacy on comebacks. But this time around, the comeback has nothing to do with a curse being curtailed or a trophy. It’s about staying alive. In Netflix’s new Clubhouse series, cameras once again focus on Fenway Park. This time it’s different, as they don’t just follow the team’s rocky season or the pressures of 162 games. They follow Jarren Duran and his story, which is as powerful as it gets.

By episode four, Duran pulls back the curtains on his life behind the scenes. Something fans don’t see—not in the field, not in interviews, not anywhere. He opened up about his battles which many face. Whether it’s trying to be perfect, battling self-doubt, or navigating the online hate. And no, it wasn’t easy for him; in fact, the 28-year-old took every mistake to his heart and couldn’t shake it off.

In the episode, the $3.8M Red Sox star tells the viewers, “I didn’t want to be here anymore,” while sitting on a hotel couch. And when the director asked him what “here” referred to—life or the Red Sox—he said, “Probably both.” And that goes on to show how mentally challenging it is to navigate under the bright lights. But the pressures Duran faced started long before he even got to the big league—it started at home.

Duran grew up in California, and as a small kid, he was just trying to prove he belonged. His dad loved him, but also pressured him to play baseball. And that pressure never stopped. Duran even talked about how his transition from second base to center field in the big league was overwhelming. So the mistakes kept happening. Fans, meanwhile, were not kind; one message even told him to go finish himself. And well, Duran had told himself something even worse than this.

One night, he had a rifle and tried to put an end to all the struggles. But as if by a miracle, it didn’t fire. Duran said, “I took it as a sign. That I might have to be here for a reason.” And while that moment didn’t remove the pain, it marked a turning point for the Red Sox player. He took small steps to make a change in his mental health. He began journaling, and slowly, he found clarity in his purpose.

Now he wears two handwritten messages on his wrist tape before any game. One says, “F— ‘em.” And the other: “Still alive.” The meaning? Duran explained, “One’s for the demons. The other reminds me I’m still here, still fighting.” But even now, he hasn’t come clean to his family, as he doesn’t want to upset them. But after this, they will know. But no matter what, Duran sharing his story shows that he isn’t weak—he is just real.

And that he is brave. And fans and even the team couldn’t be prouder of the person Duran has evolved into.

Sam Kennedy responds to Jarren Duran’s admission

Now, Duran’s story isn’t just a snapshot of the Netflix series. It’s a wake-up call. This is a reminder that the fans cheer for, criticize, and sometimes forget that players are also human. They feel everything that happens and go through things fans never see. Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy, watching Duran’s blunt admission, couldn’t help but issue a statement.

Kennedy explained it best in his statement, “Jarren’s decision to share his story is an act of courage that reaches far beyond baseball. By opening up, he’s showing others who may be struggling that they’re not alone and that asking for help isn’t just okay, it’s essential. Every member of this organization continues to stand with him. He has our deepest admiration, he’s always had our full support, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

And he is right—the Red Sox never gave up on Duran. And now Duran is giving back to the team everything he has. He may not have immense power, but he is one of the fastest players out there. In 2024, he led all of MLB in terms of plate appearances, at-bats, and doubles. He tied for the league lead in triples with 14, clinched 24 home runs, and drove in 75 RBIs. These achievements came after his battles.

Duran’s effort didn’t go unnoticed. Last summer earned his first all-star selection. Plus, he even took home the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award. And that moment when the camera turns to the stands, his mom, dad, and brother are seen wiping tears, watching Duran lift that MVP glass bat. After every sunset, there is a sunrise, and this is Duran. He survived. And watching him open up about it all will surely help some other players going through the same.

Did you watch the Netflix series yet? Let us know what you thought about it.