Red Sox Documentary Says A lot About Mental Toughness

By Steve Atkinson

As fans, we often forget that watching and enjoying baseball—and sports in general—is a privilege. Athletes endure a significant grind daily to reach the big leagues. The constant scrutiny from the media and public can weigh heavily on players, especially if they struggle to tune out the noise. This was a key takeaway from the Boston Red Sox documentary on Netflix. Mental strength is crucial; if a player isn’t performing well, like Jarren Duran at times, it can take a toll on their mental well-being.

It’s easy to say that players make a lot of money and should be able to handle criticism, but as we saw in the documentary, it’s not just about the money. While financial success is great, when a player is not performing well and others are telling them that they’re not good or that they “suck,” it can take a toll on their mental health. In 2021 and 2022, Duran struggled with this negativity. He found himself absorbed in his own thoughts and didn’t have anyone to talk to at home. As a result, his struggles weighed heavily on him.

In the documentary, it is revealed that he struggled so severely with his mental health due to relentless heckling that he attempted to commit suicide in 2022. This illustrates just how deeply affected he was by the negativity and his feelings of inadequacy. However, he managed to overcome these challenges by confronting his demons. He began writing motivational phrases on his sleeves, such as “F— ’em” on one sleeve and “Still alive” on the other. By facing his struggles head-on, he not only improved his performance but also began to win people over and gain their support.

Red Sox Jarren Duran Shows A Lot of Toughness

Duran can save lives by speaking up about what he went through and how he combats it. He journals and that seems to help him get his thoughts out there. He did get bigger after the 2022 season so weightlifting can also be therapy to let out those frustrations and you’re with your teammates so you can bond with them too.

Amanda who’s President of the Jarren Duran fan club was in the Red Sox documentary on Netflix in episode 7. She stands outside where the players park after the games to see Jarren Duran. Duran said in the episode she’s there every game. You can follow Amanda on Twitter @bigswolefan here’s her thoughts on Duran speaking out about mental health.

I feel like Jarren speaking out on his struggles was very brave. That topic is not an easy thing to talk about, for him to show people it’s okay to ask for help is such an incredible move. For him to speak about his suicide attempt knowing it will save others was a very selfless act. You never know what someone is going through, watching Jarren Duran, a physically strong guy, who is the a key piece of the Boston Red Sox, speak on his mental weaknesses teaches a lot of people that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Jarren is going to save lives by telling his story

I thought the documentary did an excellent job of showcasing what happens during the trade deadline, as well as offering a behind-the-scenes look at an entire season. However, what resonated with me the most was the mental aspect of the game. Duran sharing his story has the potential to save lives.