Duran Sees a Fenway Comeback in Jimmy Kimmel’s Return
BOSTON — Boston outfielder Jarren Duran knows a thing or two about dramatic comebacks. So when he heard that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was returning to television this week, Duran couldn’t help but draw a playful parallel to the Red Sox’s own flair for late-inning heroics.
“Fenway is all about comebacks,” Duran said with a grin before Tuesday’s game. “You can be down three runs in the eighth and still feel the crowd believing. That energy reminds me of how Kimmel keeps bouncing back, no matter the break.”
The comparison drew laughs in the clubhouse, but it also reflected the Red Sox’s mood as they continue a roller-coaster season. Boston has endured injuries and slumps yet remains in the wild card hunt thanks to a resilient lineup and a bullpen that has steadied itself in recent weeks. Duran, enjoying a breakout year with career highs in batting average and stolen bases, has been at the center of that push.
Teammates say Duran’s lighthearted observation about Kimmel is typical of his upbeat personality. “He always finds a way to keep things loose,” said manager Alex Cora. “It’s a long season. You need guys who can remind everyone to keep it fun.”
Kimmel’s own return to the late-night stage after a summer hiatus carries its own echoes of resilience. For years, his show has thrived on sharp monologues and unexpected twists, much like the Red Sox’s penchant for ninth-inning drama. Duran’s comment quickly spread across social media, with fans blending baseball clips and Kimmel highlights in celebratory mash-ups.
“Boston fans get it,” Duran said. “They know what it means to never count yourself out. Whether it’s a talk show or a ballgame, the best comebacks come when people least expect them.”
The Red Sox will need that mindset in the season’s final weeks as they chase a postseason berth. Duran’s speed and knack for clutch hits have already swung key games, and his confident attitude continues to spark the dugout.
Whether Kimmel invites Duran to share that perspective on-air remains to be seen, but the outfielder seems ready. “If he wants a Fenway story,” Duran joked, “I’ve got a few.”
For Boston, those stories are still being written—on the diamond and, perhaps, on late-night TV.
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