Jarren Duran wins MLB All-Star Game MVP, joins elite Red Sox company
Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck made their debut at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night, representing the Boston Red Sox.
Both players, crucial to Boston’s unexpected success this season, were first-time All-Stars. Duran stands sixth in fWAR (3.7) among American League position players, while Houck is fourth among AL starters with a 2.54 ERA.
Red Sox star Rafael Devers was also chosen for the AL All-Star roster but did not participate due to lingering shoulder soreness.
Here’s a look at how Duran and Houck performed in the Midsummer Classic, with Duran making a notable impact:
Jarren Duran
Duran replaced New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in center field in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the inning, he made an immediate impact at his first All-Star Game at-bat.
Facing Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, Duran smashed a two-run home run to break the tie and put the AL ahead 5-3, which remained the final score of the game.
In his second and last at-bat, Duran grounded out to second base.
The 27-year-old outfielder is the first Red Sox player to hit a home run in an All-Star Game since Adrian Gonzalez in 2011. Alongside J.D. Drew (2008), he is one of the only Red Sox players to homer in their first All-Star Game plate appearance.
Duran’s home run earned him the All-Star Game MVP title, making him the fifth Red Sox player to receive the award since its inception in 1962 and the first since Drew in 2008.
Past Red Sox to be named All-Star Game MVP:
Carl Yastrzemski (1970)
Roger Clemens (1986)
Pedro Martinez (1999)
J.D. Drew (2008)
Jarren Duran (2024)
Tanner Houck
Houck faced a challenging first All-Star Game appearance. He took the mound in the third inning, promptly giving up a single to San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar. Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte followed with another single, and Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer.
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner added to the NL’s momentum with a single, but his teammate Bryce Harper grounded into a double play. Houck struck out Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras to end his inning on a brighter note.
Duran, Houck, and the Red Sox will continue their 2024 season on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team entered the break 4.5 games behind in the American League East standings and held the third Wild Card spot with a 53-42 record.