Pitcher Chris Sale was traded from the Boston Red Sox after the 2023 season, but he still showed his appreciation for Jarren Duran during the All-Star Game media day on Monday.
When asked about Duran, Sale said he’s his favorite All-Star of the stacked 2024 All-Star group.
“Duran, he might be my favorite All-Star here,” Sale told reporters, per The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham Monday. “The way he runs the bases, his mentality, he literally attacks baseball. There’s not one ounce of effort he leaves anywhere.”
Sale was traded to the Atlanta Braves in December of 2023 after he battled many injuries while with the Red Sox. With the Braves, he has found consistency again, being named to the 2024 All-Star roster.
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In 18 games started, Sale has posted a 2.70 ERA with 140 strikeouts through 110 innings pitched. The left-hander currently has a 13-3 record, which is one of the best records he has had in his 14-year MLB career.
Sale did not stop at his praise of Duran at just reporters, but he also made a surprise appearance during Duran’s MLB Network interview. While the Red Sox outfielder was answering a question, Sale ran up behind him to hug him and get in on the interview.
The veteran admitted that when All-Stars were being announced, he only had one person on his mind.
“When we were finding out, I texted (Alex Cora) and was like ‘Please tell me Duran made it,'” Sale told MLB Network. “And he did. I was like, dude, this guy is an absolute spark plug for a team.”
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While Sale was with the Red Sox, Duran looked up to the veteran pitcher for advice. The 27-year-old has opened up about his mental health struggles in the MLB, and he credits Sale for being a light for him during that time.
“I miss this guy as a teammate, that’s for sure,” Duran said. “He was one of the guys I looked up to. We talked every single day. There was a lot of moment where I went up to him and asked him for advice, just because I knew I was struggling with some stuff and he really put me under his wing and helped me out a lot.”
The All-Star Game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas with Duran and pitcher Tanner Houck making appearances.
