ALL things Jarren Duran from the leader of the Duran Army @bigswolefan Amanda This interview was exciting to hear about Duran the person and friend. #mlbpodcast #baseball #baseballpodcast #podcast #redsoxpodcast #redsox #redsoxnation #soxnation
The Pesky Podcast
The Pesky Podcast episode 133 The Duran Army
following video is brought to you by the Boston Sports Entertainment Network. Please consider liking and subscribing for more Boston SportsCon. Shot to right, slicing toward the pesky pole down the line, and it's got to be there! Lie down the right field line toward the pesky pole, leaping up, and that ball is gone, that's a home run! They're proud of our nascent team as well. I fly down the right field line headed toward the pesky pole, that one tucked in, and that ball is going to lead. If yes, the wall and in the second base, the number retired in a run by a diverse driver is trying to retire that base ball inside a pesky pole! Welcome to another episode of the pesky podcast. I'm your host, The Rit. My co-host Rob, George, both have prior commitments with work, and other stuff. Also our producer, Brandon, had a prior commitment, but this is episode 133, brought to you by the Boston Sports Entertainment Network, titled "The Duran Army". And with me is, and it's not itself a pointed leader, like she was forced into this role, the leader of the Duran Army. We've got Amanda, how's it going today? Doing pretty good, how about you? Not bad, not bad. Before we dive into all things, Jarim Duran, let's sit there and talk a little bit about the documentary. Have you watched it yet? What were your thoughts on it? I did watch it. I watched, it came out Wednesday. I only watched the first part on Wednesday, but I watched the rest of it Thursday, and I thought it was great. Like I've watched most of the 2004 documentaries, and this one was just, it was just different. It was just like, you got into more of the before, the Duran and the after. Usually it's just the ALCS, and then, oh, we won. Exactly. I enjoyed it, because what Netflix did. I can't wait to see what Netflix does through this year's film. For me, it was like I was watching in real time, because I was 10 months old when it was 2004 ALCS, so I don't remember it. So I didn't know a lot of the stuff that happened. So watching the Pedro, him not being pulled in game seven, I didn't know it was that long. Yeah. Him being 120 pitches into the game. No idea. Yeah. And, and like, just the, the honestly of, like, more, you know, asking that question, and I don't, I don't know if he just did understand the question about no more, like who you'd rather like, but like that, that upset no more. And I was, I was disappointed that no more want nothing to do with this documentary at all. It's like, why, like, yeah, it should be water under the bridge. Yeah, you're going to be hurt. But come on now, it's been how many years ago, like 20 years ago, like, yeah, dude, you know, this do do for the city of Boston, and let, let the city know, you know, how you felt overall. Yeah, because he was, for what I know, he was a big part of the Red Sox when he was on the team. Because, like I said, I don't, I, all I knew was he was on the team and he got traded like I didn't know anything about him before. I knew he was a big name now, but it would have been nice if he was part of it. Yeah, so let's, let's fast forward a little bit. This year's World Series, you know, Dodgers Yankees, we get to see a few former Red Sox players in this series. You know, Dodgers are up, so God, and I was going to post it on Twitter and probably still going to. I kind of wanted the Yankees to win. Really? After watching that documentary, and mostly part one, when John Henry and them, but the first thing he said during the during the press conference was the Red Sox, you know, no, it's, it's, you know, we're going to build something we're going to, you know, spend some money. And I honestly think that the Yankees would win the World Series. That was maybe sit there and push Henry to spend some money, you know, and, and do what he needs to do to get us back. And I'm not saying we're not on the right track. We're on the right track, but people in Boston. We don't have patience, like Boston's fans. Overall, do not have patience. So, yeah, it took us a while to build this new core we have, and it's an exciting core to watch. But we lack pitching depth, and we lack that ace and that's not taking anything away from Tanner, you know what he did this season he took a huge step forward. He was one of many players that took a huge step forward in my opinion. Oh yeah, him, I feel like him and Carter, Carter stepped up big. He said he was going to pitch the most innings he's ever pitched in his life and he did, but we need more players like that. Exactly like him, Bayo and how all pitched the most, you know, ever. And Bayo's second half performance actually all start break was way better than his first half performance. So, so he's on the right track. Overall, but yeah, I'm sitting there. I'm excited for this offseason. Hopefully it's not a one of disappointment. Because I don't know how much, how much more, you know, Red Sox fans can can deal because we need, we need an ace, whether it be Max breed met whether it be Corbin Burns, Sasaki if he, you know, decides to come over, you know, or if we trade for for an ace. Personally spent, don't trade. Keep what you have spend spend the money, you know, to get that ace. And you know, maybe even get a one, you know, a number one starter and possibly like a number three starter. Because I think, I think Tanner could be a nice to, you know, get let Bayo, you know, be three or four. We got Lucas Giolito, you know, coming back so we don't know what he's going to actually have. We had Dick Fitz, Dickey Fitz, you know, he pitched pretty good in September. So I think, I think we have hope, but we just need that number one starter. Yeah, I feel like past like four years, it's been the Red Sox are going to trade with Seattle every, every off season, and it hasn't happened. Which Seattle has said they don't want to trade any of their pictures. So what is so rumor. Exactly. So Amanda, let's let's sit there and switch gears to why we are here. And I'm going to, I'm going to add a picture up here. And then I'm going to, you know, I'll let you describe who's in it and stuff I got for the people that are listening on iTunes, Spotify, and iHeartRadio. So I'm putting up a picture and this is like the final picture of the season, you know, of that you posted pretty much. That was a, that was a surreal moment, because never thought me picking Jaren would lead as my favorite player would lead to that picture. But in that picture, obviously I'm with the jersey that the that's the Dominican Republic jersey that he, I know there was two obviously because they play two games. I don't know if that's the one he wore, but still a game jersey. And then to my left is Jaren. To his left is her name is Alyssa. I met her through TikTok. I was, I was outside after a game and she saw me and said, do you have a TikTok? And I couldn't believe it. Like, oh my God, somebody actually like watches my TikToks. Uh, she got, she got a bat to maple bat. He signed it. He put 2024 all star game MVP on it. Until my right is her name's Grace. I feel like if you know my Twitter, you've definitely seen Grace. She, it was me and her met at a concert randomly. Like, we just happen to sit next to each other. She saw my backs or my lock screen, which was a picture of me and my other friend at Fenway. She was like, oh, you like the Red Sox. And then we just started talking about how we both have like the 10 game plan and how we are so young that we had like our own season ticket if you want to call it that. And then we, we, now it's just like we're the duo. That's what we call it. What's what we call ourselves. He, she got the, he didn't use them in the game, but they're the all star game batting gloves. They say like Doran, like on the wrist and like they're like Texas themed. They got pine tar on them. So you must have used them and maybe like batting practice. And then to her right is my brother. Um, he got a, he got a bat that signed the same way as the other one. He, he would never go to games when he was younger. He was, oh, it's too far of a ride, blah, blah, blah. But now every game I go to if I had no, like if I can't get my friends to go, I know like he'll go. No matter what. He's a Raphael fan. Yeah. So, okay, there's that picture right there, Amanda. Now, let's, let's sit there and go back. Like, let's go, let's go back to where it started. Let's go back to, you know, what, what made you choose Darren Duran as your favorite player on the Boston Red Sox. Well, 2020. Well, when I was in high school, I like Benny, because he was, you know, the heartthrob, then he got traded, then I had to pick a new heartthrob, Bobby. Bobby didn't, you know, pan out the way we thought, but I still stuck with them. And then 2023. Like, obviously we all knew Darren 2022 with all the bad parts of his career. So I didn't really pay attention to him. And then last spring training, I like, I saw a picture of them and I was like, wait, who is that? Because I didn't, I didn't think it was the same person. Because people would say like, Oh, like, Darren, you know, he's the most good looking on the team and I was like, I don't see it. But then I saw a picture of him spring training and I was like, you know, they might be onto something. Then I started following him a little bit more and then he had a, what we thought was a breakout season last year. And I was like, yeah, this is my guy now. And then I would wait after the games for autographs and he would just sign, walk away, like it wasn't anything like it was this year. And now this year, I went so many times and I'd wait after every game, basically, he just started recognizing me and he'd be like, don't you have enough of my autographs? No, would never have enough. So, then just things just started happening that I never imagined. I just thought, Oh, that's my favorite player and now we recognize me, but that's it. And it just took a turn. Yeah, last year, I'm going to be honest. Last year, when we actually started the pesky podcast and stuff, I was disappointed in Duran, just because of spring training. He chose to go play to go play for the world baseball classic over getting some reps and spring training. And he wasn't even playing for Team Mexico. He was, he was sitting on the bench. And he only got in the handful of games. Yeah, I was like, I was talking on here, I'm like, dude, I'm like, this is this is what you think. Like, this is, this is how you want to prepare, you know, for the season, especially from the season before. Like that, that was completely like that, that could have been the worst season, you know, ever. And all of a sudden, like, you know, Al Gore was talking about him and said it, you know, I just told him to go have fun. And then the ball went down. And, you know, next thing you know, let's see, I have one, Jeremy, grand story, personally. He was down in triple way, and I get press passes for the rail riders. Anytime any time the boot socks play. And I'm like, Jaren, I'm like, can I, can I have a moment of your time? And he, and he just, you know, blew me off. Like, really? Yeah, and I've heard from other other, you know, riders and stuff like that. If they're in the middle of a ritual, like, like they're routine and everything, you know, sometimes, you know, they don't like to be stirred like that. And I'm like, okay, okay, okay, I give them the benefit of the doubt. But like the ball, you know, went down the injury, Duran got called up, and, you know, a lot of people thought Duran peak last year. Um, we got 2024 and, and he, he absolutely did not peak last season. No, you know, so tell us a little bit about meeting him and how it actually went from dying autographs to, you know, him recognizing you. Don't you have enough of my autographs to like, okay, now we're now we're conversating back and forth. I've, well, he told us, like me and what we call, we call ourselves a Duran fan club. He said, you know, you guys are, you guys are normal, like, we're not, oh my God, oh my God, Jaren, Jaren, like, you're so hot, all that, like, he doesn't like when people say that we just, we treat him like a person. Like, everyone else, sometimes we'll be waiting and he'll come over and it's a stampede down the street of all these people thinking, oh my God, I need to get over there. He's gonna leave. I need him to get the sign. We know that has signed for everybody. So we just wait, like, we'll move all the way down and we'll just wait. But he, let's say, it was, like, it started in June, really, of him, like, having conversations with us because the story of how I got the bat that I don't, you could see it in the case right there. A little bit. But, um, my, my dad has a signed Joe Montana jersey that he doesn't care about. My dad's a dolphin fan. I don't know where he got this jersey from, but he has it. And Jaren from California, he likes the L.A. Kings. I was like, oh, he must, like, 49ers. What if I do a swap, like, give him this jersey for something. But I was like, I need to make sure he definitely likes 49ers because if he doesn't, then there was that. So I asked him, sure enough, thanks Cowboys. That doesn't work. So I was like, no, no, no, especially like, you know, 90s, 49ers and Cowboys rivalry. So I was like, well, that was a good idea, but it's just not going to work out. So my brother was there when I asked him, and he swooped right in. Jaren, if I get you a CD lamb rookie autograph card, something like, what could I get? And Jaren said a bat. And now I'm standing there mad because I was like, this is my favorite player. And now you're going to take my idea and get something out of it because I can't. I was mad. And I was trying to convince him, don't do it, don't do it. He did it. And he, I didn't know this, but he told my parents he was going to give me the bat, but he wanted me to think like, oh, it's mine. So he orders the card and he's all, oh, this is what's going to get me my bat. And then it was after a game in June, got blown out by the Yankees. And he came out after the game and he'll take, sometimes he'll take a long time to come out because he's just like. Trying to calm down after a bad game or something. So a while that night. And I was like, no way, he's going to come over inside. Like, he's probably in a bad mood. Just got blown out by the Yankees at home. He came over all happy. I was like, oh, not what I was expecting whatsoever. And my brother gave him the card. And he immediately was, oh, what did you want? I forgot. And my brother said a bat. And he was like, oh, when you guys going to be back, because you know, it would come a lot, but we didn't go like. If we went to Friday, we wouldn't go back Saturday because that's a lot of, that's a lot of driving for us. Yeah. So we were like, oh, we don't know not for like a week or so. He immediately, all right, I'll go grab one right now. Turned around, went back inside. I cannot believe it. I was like, there's no way. He came out with a bat and he was, oh, you want me to sign it? Do you want me to write anything specific? And I was just standing there in like shock because I didn't, I didn't think he was actually going to do it. And then my brother did, my brother did give me the bat. And I felt like guilty about it because it was his money that he bought the card with, whatever. But I made it up to him by, I bought him a Raphael jersey. So he was happy with the jersey. And then after that, we'd be at games and he'd be all, oh, here you are again, always here. And he, I was like, Jaren probably thinks I live, I don't know, 20 minutes from here, which I, I don't. We live, we're like an hour from the New York City. Like if I were to drive to Yankee Stadium City field, it'd probably take me an hour. So I let him think that for a little bit, but then he, and then he found out. And then after that was the campaign to get him to the also game. I want to share that right here. Bam. Now there it is. That was actually his walk off game that I wore that too. I like, I came up with the idea literally the day before. I was like, I need to wear something that tells the people we need to get Jaren to Texas because nobody in the league deserves it more. So I went out with my mom, bought the shirt. I was designing it. I was like, I need it to be like, not just vote Jaren Duran. So there's a picture in spring training of him where he like flexed like that and he was the W and I was like, oh, that's perfect. I'm doing that. And then I like spent, I don't know, two hours trying to make it like perfect. Because you had a, I had a Photoshop, all like the color behind him out. And it was very detailed. So it took a while and there was, there was a lot happening in my house that night. My mom printed the thing wrong. Like you're supposed to print. No, she like, because when you print stuff or when you like iron stuff on the shirt, it has to be backwards. She printed it, she printed it the wrong way. Then we ran out of the paper. I had to go to Walmart at like 11 o'clock at night to get paper. Then she put, because in the summer, you know, you got the air conditioners on. Everyone's got the TVs on lights on. She plugged in the iron fuse. All the power goes out in our house. Oh, man. So it was, it was a lot of work to make this shirt, but I needed it for the next day because I was going to Fenway. And I was like, the people need to know. So it obviously it worked out. And people would stop and be like, they'd scan my shirt and I posted it on Twitter and people. I was just going to ask that. I was going to be like, so how many people did you have, you know, walking around Fenway? Like, whoa, whoa, hold on. Yeah. I got to scan this QR code. You know, I actually went, it was, that was June 24th that I went. That was his walk off game, which. I couldn't, I still can't believe I was there for that because I almost didn't go because I was going the 25th. I was like, I can't go two days in a row. Like, I can't drive there and back there and back. But I did, and I'm very glad I did because first walk off, of course I had to be there. But people, they stopped, they scanned it. I was walking up the stairs with my chicken basket and, oh, wait, wait, stop, let me sign or let me, let me scan, let me scan. So it got, it worked a little. And then I wore it the next day. Same thing. People stopped and scanned it. And then that weekend they played the Padres. And the voting was already over. So I couldn't wear it. Like I could wear it, but it just wouldn't make sense. So. I'm curious. I'll go ahead. Me and me and my friend Grace, it was her birthday that weekend. So we went to the whole Padres series. Hoping to see Bogart's who was her, but can't do anything about that. But I brought the shirt because I wanted to show them, like, I'm campaigning for you. You're going to make it. And I showed him and he was all, I can't believe this. And he said, like, I was helping his mom out, like, because his mom vote every day. And I was like, me and her, that's the campaign team. And I remember he said, I'm not going to make it. And I was like, you're crazy. You're making it. And if you don't, we're all going to riot. Because how are you not going to make it? Exactly. That's what I was going to ask. Like, you know, what, what did he, you know, think of when he first seen the shirt. Because it was crazy because, like, you don't think players. You know, pay attention, like when they're browsing social media and stuff. Yeah. But like, for instance, with, with help and how Romania, like, I, I just kept calling, you know, how Romania every time he pitched, didn't think nobody paid attention. And until papoban started to fall on the pesky podcast, then, then all of a sudden, like, you know, he's, he brings it up in the post game. And of course, you know, the rest after that was history. But like, you never know who's paying attention. No. And, and, and stuff. You know, just like with, uh, I, I like to dub him, uh, Raphael, the human highlight reel. You know, and, and I called him that. And then all of a sudden, like, sedans brother liked it and retweeted it. And I'm like, oh, and, and I met his brother. You know, at a rail riders game. Really, you know, really good guy and stuff like that. Uh, but you never know who's actually pays attention to things. So go, like, what it, like. That have him, you know, this is just the way I'm thinking with, with Duran. With his, like going from mental health issues, having, you know, hearing the fans. You know, especially after the Blue Jays game wanted him out of the city. Out of the team, off the city, like, you know, out of the country. Like the stuff. To. Whole, you know, get everything under control. The best you can, because it takes a lot when you have mental health issues. That, you know, to get everything under control and just the slightest thing. You know, uh, can trigger it. But then to see you out there campaigning. You know, consistently all the time on social media. Like that has to, you know, make him feel, you know, amazing that he has these fans in Boston. Even though it wasn't always the best of times. Yeah. You know, but now all of a sudden, like, you know, he has the support there. Yeah, I, um. Like, I was one of them. I, but I didn't pay attention to him really. Like, and then I was watching that game against the Blue Jays and I was like, what is this guy doing? But then, um, obviously we learned that he was struggling with the mental health. And then I was like, oh, like, I can't, like, I just feel bad for him now. Like, I wouldn't want him off my team. Like, I just want him to get better. And then last year, he would, you would come out after the game and he would get in his car. And everyone would be like, oh, dang, he's not going to sign. And they'd leave. And he would sit there for like a few minutes and then like cops or like security would come over. And then he'd get out and come over and sign. And somebody asked like, oh, why, like, why do you need like backup? And he was like, because these people are, they're, I don't know what they're capable of. Because there was one game he was going to come over and somebody else, something at him. And he, he just, he got right back in his car and drove away. I don't blame him. But now, now everybody's like, oh, we love you now, Jared. We love you now. But I just found this and I'm pulling all this stuff up from your foot. There's the card. There's the bat with your brother. Yep. I, my friend, my friend was there. She was, I was like, you need to record this. Like, just in case, like, something like he gets the bat or something. And he said, all right, I'll just go get it now. And I like, she panned at me. And I was like, I couldn't believe it. And then he came out and he was, oh, he wanted to take a picture with it. So then I knew my brother had the bat, like, put up like that. But I didn't know until after, Jared was holding the card up too. I was like, oh, he knew. And then people were asking me like, oh, how did you do that? How did you do that? I wanted to like, gate keep it like, nope. Got to figure it out. Yeah. And, and here I want to pull this one up right here because we were just getting and talking about that. Yup. There it is. Like, I have pictures of him or with him 2023, even the ones from like the beginning of the season. He just, like, he just looks happier, like, and like that picture. Like, when I saw that picture, I was like, he looks happy. Like, he is choosing in that picture. Like, in the other ones, he's just, like, smile, move on. But he was, he was very happy with the shirt. Now, I've got to ask to see if you've asked. What was up with Jared with the hair at the beginning of the season? Oh, my gosh. Oh, I asked him about that because I was not a fan. I pretended like I liked it, but I, I was not a fan. Like, I asked him, I was like, what, what, like, was that like a dare? Like, was it a, like, you lose a bet or something? And he said he got bored. And he wanted to change it up. And I mean, when it was just blonde, it was fine. But then it turned into a platinum and it was like silver. It just looked really bad. And then I actually went to spring training this year. So I saw it in person. And every picture was him with the helmet, him with the hat. And I was like, Jared, I need to see the full thing. And he said, if I wanted to see his full hair, I had to work for it. And I was like, I will. So I was watching a game when they were in the DR and I saw him in the dugout, nothing on. So I screen shot at it. And I like, was like, well, I worked for it. Here it is. And then like later on in the season, we were talking about it again. And he was like, that was the worst thing I've ever done. So I showed, I told him that, like, oh, you told me to work for it. And then I showed him the picture. And he was like, of course, I'm not, I can't, I can't say I'm surprised. The next thing I want to talk about Amanda is, is this, and I remember when, when I seen it, because I started getting the alerts for when you post. Oh, wow. Yeah. So, and I hope it's what I think it is. The, the ecstaticness was, was there it is, there it is. And then, well, with the wrong way. So, so that was, that was the, in the case you guys can't see, that was a bracelet. And then this. I, I, so being grace went to, like I said, the whole Padres series and my brother, my brother gave me this idea of saying, oh, you should get a bracelet and like, make you make him want to make you one. So you could say you have a matching bracelet. And I was like, yeah, but what would I like, what would I put on it? Like, I don't know. And then I was like, that's a stupid question. There's only one thing you could put on it. And it's his little, his phrase that he uses on his wrist tape. So I, I had him write it on, like a, just a blank piece of paper. I didn't tell him what I was doing with it. I just asked, oh, can you write this? He probably thought I was getting a tattooed, which people told me I should do. And I was like, no, cuz that's Darren's thing. I'm not, I'm not doing that. So, then, there wasn't any games at Fenway for a little bit. So I had time to get this bracelet made. So I, I like scroll through like Etsy, trying to find like the right bracelet, cuz I knew I wanted like the rubber type bracelet, but some of them were just weird. Like you had, they like looked like the writing looked small, or you can only pick like their font. So I, I had a really big deep, and I finally found one. And I ordered two, both in red. And when I got them, they gave me three, they sent two red and one black. So, I was like, I'll let them choose, I'll let them pick. So it was after, it was after a game against the A's, the last game against Oakland A's that the Red Sox will reply. It was Hawaiian shirt night, and me and Grace, we're like, let's just look ridiculous. So we wore. Like Dunkin Donuts pit vipers. We wore the Hawaiian shirt and we wore the bucket hats, and we just looked, we just looked ridiculous. I was like, great, I'm gonna give him this bracelet and I'm gonna look like this. I don't know why, but I was like nervous to give it to him. I have no idea why. And I had him, I had him sign, whatever. And I was like, oh, I have something for you, which this is the first time I gave him something. And he was like, oh, let me see, because he would wear like, like bracelets on his wrist. So I was like, oh, I know he'll. I know he wears bracelets, like, I don't know if he'll wear this one, but so I showed him. And I was like, you could pick a black or red, and he picked red, which now it's like really matching because I have the red one. And I was like, yeah, you know, you don't have to wear it or anything, but I just figured I'd make it and he was like, I'll wear it. He immediately put it on. And I was like, oh, no, he's just saying that, like, no way. So then the next day, or like, a few days later, they were playing the Royals. It was a Friday night game. I didn't go. But I don't know, I was like, did you really want to go to the series? All right. Yeah, I went to the, um, bam, it was the, yeah, I went on. That was the last game before the all star break that I went. That was crazy too. And itself, we're, we're waiting over there for Bobby what and salvi came over and grace was trying to like sneak, like not sneak, but take pictures of them and he just grabbed their phone and. He signed a card for me and then he took a selfie and he walked away. But, uh, Jaren, they like post because it was Friday. They post like, um, like, fit checks. And all day, I was just thinking about it like no way he's going to wear it. But I didn't think I'd know until the next time I was there. And then they posted the fit check and I was like, oh my God, what if he's wearing it and sure enough, I'd see that. And there it is. And I remember I was, I was in my kitchen and I saw it and my mom was in the kitchen. My brother was in the kitchen. And I just like let out this gas. I was like, Oh, and then I didn't say anything. I was just too, I was just staring at my phone like I must be seeing something like I must be thinking things. And then I just like leaned over on my counter because I couldn't, I just couldn't function. And now my mom is like, what's wrong? What's wrong? What's wrong? And then I showed her and she was like, is that yours? And I was like, yeah, he really is wearing it. I thought that was it. Now I'm watching the game. I'm at my, I'm at my grandparents house who, by the way, my grandpa likes the Yankees. So we're watching the Yankees. I had to put the red socks on my phone. And I'm telling everybody there like, it was like a family thing. And I was telling them all my stories about Jaren. And I was like, yeah, I just gave him a bracelet and he wore it like before the game, whatever. And they're all like, I had no way in a way. And he comes up and I see, he never wears bracelets during games ever. And I saw, I saw it on his wrist and you would have thought like, you would have thought I like won the lottery or something the way I reacted. Everybody's like, what happened? What happened? I could not believe it. And then like, I'm, I'm just sitting there, screen recording his at bats trying to like take all these screenshots. And I finally got that one. Like, I got one where you could see it a little bit, but yeah, that one where you could see it, but the other one, you could, it was like clear. And then unfortunately, he did go old for four. So everyone was always your fault, your bracelet, your fault. But that was the only time he wore it in the, in a game, which I didn't, if he never wore it again, I wouldn't care because I did not expect it in a game. And then the next time I saw him, I was like, are you trying to kill me? And he was like, what? And I said, you want my bracelet in a game? And he was, I told you I'd wear it. And I just, I still, I don't know why, but it's like, of course I have it on. It's like faded a little bit. I don't know what happened. But I don't care, I'm still gonna wear it. So from there, we've got, and I'm going to, I'm going to hit these, these aren't your pictures, but we all know, bam. Oh, yeah. Duran, Duran gets, gets selected to the All-Star game. He, um, let's see. The suit, the suit, I like the suit. Yes. Like he was, he paid her vote in on best dress. And I was like, pay doesn't have it wrong. So. Exactly. Now, what would you have done, which I think they didn't MLB get to get the suit, got his, you know, they got a whole bunch of this stuff. I don't think they got this. I think he still has the suit. They got the, um, the jersey, the baseball Hall of Fame has a jersey. Yeah. What's, I need to make a trip there to see it. But yeah, I don't know what else, because I know he, he has the Queen's, I know that. But, bam, right here. Oh my gosh. That, that was, that's like a core memory of my life. And I was in my room. Like, I wasn't even, it's like I was at the game. The way, like, it just, like impacted me. But. I was in my room by myself, watching the game. And I, I could not believe it. Because I was like, oh, he made the all star team. That's what we wanted. Never expected on the one MVP. Like, I should have, but I didn't. Yeah, that was absolutely crazy there. Like, as soon as, as that happened, I tweeted out. You know, at home. That's the MVP right there. Yeah. Yeah. I, I actually found out that he was, he made the team. When I was, I was going to Red Sox Yankees in New York Sunday night baseball. Me and Grace on the train. We get to Yankee Stadium and there's like a walkway to the, to the stadium. And I found out there in there that he made the team. And I was like, yeah, I, I knew he'd make it. I don't know why he said he wouldn't. And then that was July 7th. So then July 9th. We went to a game at Fenway and I had, I saw him and I was like, oh, I'm sorry. All star, Jaren, can you, can you sign this and you started laughing? And I was like, you told me we're going to make it. And he like, he got really like serious and he was like, I didn't think I would. And he's like, he never like talks about. That like the MVP, if I brought it up, he wouldn't say anything because he like. He just wants to say humble, you know. But I, I was coaching a softball team in the summer and we had a game that night. Out stressed. I was supposed to wear like a coaching shirt. I didn't, I wore my Duran shirt because his big day. And the game started at like eight o'clock. I don't know why, but I thought I was going to miss him. I got home and maybe the second inning. And then he didn't get put in until obviously late. He replaced Aaron judge, which I thought was funny. Then he came up. I like jumped out of my bed and I was like right in front of my TV. And I think he took like two pitches and then the, the home run happened and I. I was like, just like, I wasn't texting anybody. I wasn't on Twitter or nothing. I was just like. And all. And then it hit me. Oh my God. Like if the score stays the way it is, he's going to win the MVP. And as we know, that's what happened. Yeah. And just, just as accolades. And then you know, Duran, you know, first player and American history with 100 hits, 10s, triples, 10 home runs and 20s ball bases all before the all star break. You know, first player to win the all star game MVP since 2008. Like those, those are accolades that, you know, he's. You know, he's, and he, like you said, he's very humble. Like, you know, with everything. And. It's something you don't really see. Or you don't really know about unless you actually, you know, are able to conversate with him because, you know, in my opinion. He should be, he should get MVP votes for the season. Oh, yeah. You know, and him, Bobby Whit, unfortunately, Aaron Judge. Yeah. But, but if you look at war and everybody, some people don't like war, but like his war was right up there with Bobby Whit. You know, at one point, I think it was above. Mm hmm. I think I don't know if it's still the same, but I know it was Judge Bobby Whit, then Jaren, and then Gunner. And then him and Gunner kept like flip flopping, but to be up there with those names. Like two years ago, no one, no one expected that. No. And then, of course, you had to go out. Oh yeah, had to buy it. How do you go up and buy the Duran All-Star Jersey? I, when I saw the hat, because the hat came out first, and then I saw it on Twitter and I was like, there's, there's no way. Like, who designed that? Like, I didn't like the bright. I thought the NL ones were better. Yeah. Um, I, I said all season that I wanted to sign, Jaren Jersey, but I didn't want to spend, you know, a bunch of money just for it to go on the wall. But that's what I did, because he wore, or he won the MVP. I was like, all right, I need the jersey now. So I've ordered it. And it said it wasn't supposed to come into like August, and I was like, that was like mid July. But it came right before their first home series in the second half. And I was like, oh, it's perfect, because now I'll have, I'll have it signed. And it came in the mail. And I just, I left it in like the package, never, never put it on. But the, as it was, and then I went, I didn't have them sign it. The first game, because Grace wanted to be there. So I had to wait. So I had it signed the next, the next game. And he, he was like, where did you get this? It's like the MLB shop. What do you, what do you mean, where did I get this? So I went to Cooperstown and, and they just game with the one you wore. Yeah. But I was like, what are you talking about? Where did I get this? But that made me realize I'm probably the first person that has that. Like, because obviously now there's, there's a bunch of people that I see have it signed, but. I just started laughing like, what do you mean? Where did I get? You won the MVP. Of course they're going to sell your jersey. And I asked the team store if they were going to sell it. And they said, no. I was like, why not? And they were like, we don't, we don't think it'll sell. And then they, they got it in like September. I was like, yeah, should have had a long time ago, but. At least it's here. And now that there's a picture, I want you to explain. How? Okay, you were able to get this. Oh, gosh. Accomplished. So grace for her birthday. She got a sash, like, you know, my 19th birthday, whatever. Yeah. And she wore it. So her birthday was on a Saturday. She wore it on Friday and Saturday. And on her actual birthday, Jaren, he was signing and he was, he like looked at her, like confused. And he was like, weren't you wearing that thing yesterday? And I was like, no way. There's no way. And she was like, yeah. And he was like, oh, you're one of those. Like you have a birth a month instead of a birth a week. And we were just, we couldn't stop. I couldn't stop laughing. She was speechless. But like, he just jokes around with us like that. Like he's never going to be like mean or anything. And then he won the MVP and grace was like, I have to make a sash because like that's, that's their joke. So she made a massage that says, you know, 2024 all star game MVP and he, he thought it was, he liked it. He was like, oh, this is sick. And he put it right on. And then he was taking pictures with other people. So he took it off. And then he put it back on. And we took the group picture. Because we took one in like May, but it was really the lighting was bad. And. But this one's much better and we're, you know, wearing his shirt. He's, he loved it. Yeah, I'm like, man, I got to hear the story of how you got him to, you know, put that on. That, that's a, I asked Grace what her favorite story was. She said that, that was one of them. That was there's one A and there's one B. That was, that was one of them. And then. Her and her and Jared go back and forth with the obviously were Bruins fans. And they, they go at it about the Kings and the Bruins, not that their rivals or anything, but. Yeah, you know, well, she'll be like, oh, you know, the Kings have made the playoffs and blah, blah, blah. And then. He's, well, at least they don't choke and they'll play off. It's like, they just go back and forth about that. And it's, it's funny. I love. You know, because it's all you can tell, bam. Like, yeah, the, the bodacious side eye that you get pictures of. Yeah, it's like, and I can't wait till she, until she actually watches this and sees like, sees this picture like, man, like, really, like, just looking at you, like, really. We like, we started taking like, because when I started posting on Twitter, I would just post like my view, like where I was sitting. And then she started taking point five's, like, the point five pictures. So I was like, I should do that. And every game, that's a blue socks game. We even did it there. Every game we take a point five and it'd be me and her, me, her, my brother. There's a few of me and my brother and his friend, but I always make sure to take a point five because now I have all these pictures from almost every game I went to. And my brother, he's, he never, he always has to like, he can never be serious. This might be the most serious one I see. Yeah. That you have a YouTube. That was, that was right after Deborah's hit his walk off, which we were on pace to have gone to all the walk offs this year. We went to Tyler O'Neill's, then we're at Romy's, then we're at Jaren's, then we're at Raffy's. So we put up four is like, we went four for four. Were you at revstiders? No, that was, that was the first one we missed. And then we missed Tyler O'Neill's home run. So we went four for six, which I think is pretty good because I never saw a walk off until this year. And I got to see four of them, which, and one of them being Jaren's was enough in itself. Did you get to talk to them about that at all? So after that game, we, obviously we waited, but his car wasn't there. So we're like, where is, where is he? We know he's here. And of course, security was like, oh, everybody's gone. And we're like, no, we know he's still here. So we were like, maybe, maybe he's just, I don't know, walking home. I don't know. So grace, her fate, her guys causes. And at that point, she had never met him. So we're like, let's go wait for Tristan, because he, oh my God, you could wait hours for him. One time we waited like three hours, never saw him. So we went over and I'm sure you saw the video of causes saying hi to grace. Yes. So, let me see if I can pull that one up. We, at that game, I asked Grace if she wanted to go and she had work. And of course, he came over because he was hurt. He came over and signed. And I was like, oh my God, I feel like I felt so bad, because I was laughing. Like, of course you missed it. But I was like, no, I gotta, I gotta get something for her. So I started recording. And I just said, can you say hi to my friend, Grace, and all I thought he was going to say was hi, Grace, but with him being Tristan, he had to make it, you know, complicated. So now back to the, the Jaren game, we're waiting for him and sometimes he'll come out and he won't, he'll just air pods in. Just walk and you just know, like not not to bother him. So he came out and my brother, he said hi, and he was just about to walk away and my brother said, oh, this is great. This is the grace, like from the video and he stopped and he turned around and he was like, oh, and he came over and she, she like didn't speak. She was so shocked that Tristan Costas was talking to her, like me and my brother had to do the talking. I was like, can you sign her jersey? Like, you know, like, we went, like, I saw that video everywhere. I didn't, I didn't think it would blow up because I just sent this to her on Snapchat and then she posted it. And then a bunch of people posted it, calling them, you know, weird and all that, but I thought it was funny. But we, as Tristan was signing her jersey, she was looking towards like the gate and there was Jaren. He had like a box in his hand and he came out and like a Uber picked them up. And we said, like, good game or something, like have a good night and he just got in the Uber. He didn't turn around to see it was us. We didn't get, we didn't get to talk to him that night about it, but then a few months later, we, we finally got to, you know, hear what he like, we were like, where was your car? Like, what were you doing? He said he was going to get a free burger from his like friends restaurant or something. I was like, Oh, never would have guessed that, because I've never seen him not drive, like home. So I was, I was confused. So, here's another picture of a bracelet and. Oh, yeah. This, I got this one on right here too. This one, my cousin, she is 12. And being a 12 year old in the summer, you know, you got nothing to do. So she started making bracelets. And I asked her if she made me, it says red socks, it's blue and red. And I would wear it, I wore it to only games because she made it too small. So I was like, it's too tight. I'll only wear it to games. And I was on a streak by five game winning streak with this bracelet, which unfortunately ended, but in the time I was like, Oh, this, this is the lucky bracelet. So I had her make me another one. And I was like, put JD. And then I wanted 16, but she didn't have numbers. And then I said put BDS, which BDS is, it's a, it's a nickname we call it, Aaron. It's, it's, it's an inside joke though. Don't think I could share that. Okay. Well, for a minute there, I thought it was, you know, a dual player jersey, Jerm Duran on the one side. Big Dom Smith on the other. Oh, it could have been. It could have been. Oh my God, I love Dom Smith. I was so sad when, like I knew it was going to happen, but. Exactly. I was a big Dom Smith fan. I was, he had seven hormones with us. And I was at, I saw six of them, which I was like, that's a crazy stat. But I had my cousin make me this brace. She asked me what colors and I was going to do red socks colors, but I was like, no, I should do the all star game colors. So every day I was asking, is it done, is it done? No, it's not done. So finally, we went to my aunt's house for something and I was like, I'm not leaving this house without my bracelet. So she made it. It was the wrong colors. It was like this big. I was like, I can't wear this. So I made it myself. I sat there and I made it myself. And I, I think I showed him, but I just showed him the JD part because I didn't want him asking what BDS meant. I don't, I don't know if he'd appreciate what it means. So I might be wrong, but I think this picture here might be the first time where there was nothing between you guys. And am I right? Yeah, that's, that's the first one. And that, that one was a lot in the making. So, let's see, it was, that was a Astro series. And, um, was it the Astro's? Yeah, because I asked him on, it was a Friday night. And I asked him for, which I'm sure we'll get into the field passes too. Yes, but I asked him that night about him because my brother, he gave me the bat. And then I bought him the jersey, the Raphael jersey, but I was like his birthday is in August. And all he would talk about was how he could never get Raphael to like sign anything because he just leaves after the game, because usually if they have like their wife or kids, they just immediately leave. So he never came over and he was always, oh, but the field pass people, they, they get it, like they'll get the autographs, whatever. And he was like, I'm going to save my money. I'm going to buy a field pass. And I was like, you can't buy those. Like, you got to, you got to know somebody or like, you just have to know, like, can't buy that. So I was like, what if I asked Jaren, I was like, there's no way he'll say yes, but won't hurt to ask. So I asked him and I, it couldn't have gone any better than it did. He, I thought he was going to be like, yeah, I could give you this many for this game or just anything. I thought he was going to say, no, I don't know. I was really like nervous to ask him. But no, he was, how many do you need? What game? If you need more, let me know, whatever. And I was like, oh my God. So it was hard. It was kind of hard to keep it a secret from my brother, because that was the beginning of August. And his birthday isn't till the end. So it was hard to keep it a secret. And my friend recorded me asking him what could have gone very poorly. And he said, no, I would have deleted that immediately. But he, he got like really serious, like, anything in you, like, how many blah, blah, blah. And then the picture of me and him where there was nothing in between. If I'm being honest, I don't remember what day that was. No, I do. I do. It was the 20, it was against the Diamondbacks. One of those games. And his car like got moved, because I was like, oh my God, like, I have to, I have to like remind him about this. Because that was the one time my brother didn't go. And I didn't, you know, I didn't want to hear me. So I had to wait for him to not be there to bring it up. And they moved this car to Jersey Street. And we were like, all right, we could either leave and hope we see him tomorrow. Or we could be crazy and wait. So we chose to be crazy and we waited. And there was this, there was a kid and like his parents waiting to. And they actually got him to stop, which we were kind of happy about because if he saw us first, he would have been like, Jesus Christ, like, you guys just told me me alone. So the kid got him and we walked across the street and he looked up and saw us and he just started laughing. And he was like, of course, of course you guys are here. And then we're like, oh, like, we don't want anything signed. We just, we just need to talk to you about the passes because my brother's not here. And he just said, like, write your email down, write your name and how many you need. So I did. And then I gave him the paper and there's a picture of him holding the paper. And he's like looking at my full email, which is just so funny to me because why does Jane Duran have my email? I don't know. But the day before that, because I also went to the whole Diamondback series. No, wait, no, I went Saturday Sunday. So the Saturday I went with my brother, my mom, my aunt, my cousin. And this was like two, two weeks after I asked him for the passes. So I was like, how am I going to remind him? Like, what if he doesn't remember? Sure enough, he looked at me and like whispered, like, don't forget to remind me about the thing. And I was like, oh, okay, yeah, I will. And my brother was, what was that? Why is he whispering? Because he's seen the interactions and that's never happened. So he was just confused and obviously my mom knew and she was like, I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know what you're talking about. I don't see anything. But he, we gave him the paper and then he said like we'd get an, I'd get an email about, you know, passes. Never got anything. So now I'm worried, like, what if something goes terribly wrong? Because I told my brother. So now he expects it. And obviously, you know, it went the way we wanted because he actually DM's me the day before, which almost took like I almost passed out. I was sitting on my couch with my dad. I was on Instagram and all of a sudden it was, it was on Jaren's birthday. Of course I posted something for his birthday. And he, it said big swole like your message. And I just, I was like, oh, and my dad, what, what? I, I was like, Jared, Jared, just DM me. And he was just making sure he had like the right number of passes and I was like, oh my God, there's no way to DM me. And then I said, yeah, you got the right number. And then we, the next day was the big day. It was against the white socks, the Friday night game. We got there like really early because people were telling me different things like get there this early. So like, just in case anything goes wrong. And so we got there, I don't know, two o'clock. And we didn't get, we didn't get in the Fenway until like 3 40. So we just, you know, walked around, killed some time. And I went up to gate D, which is where you pick them up. And that's also where you pick up tours. So they thought I was there for a tour. And I was like, no, like the field passes, like batting practice passes. So now all the securities confused, they don't know what's going on. And they, they didn't believe me. Because I said, janitor and they're like, no, no way. So I showed them the DM and they were like, oh, she's being for real. And then we went up, finally, the thing was open. So we went up and they asked for your ID and who gave you the passes. So my friend, Grace, she recorded me saying, oh, janitor and gave us the passes. And the guy was like, whoa, that's a big one. And he gave us the passes. They, they each said like, you know, my name, Grace's name, everyone's name. And it says requested by janitor and, which I thought it would say that, but I was also like blown away when I saw it. And the way that the field passes are, if they're vertical, it's from a player. And if it's horizontal, it's from like something, maybe an employee or something. So people would look at us with the horizontal and try to like see who it was. And we were like the first people on the field because. Of course we were how to get a good spot. So Amanda, what was it like, because I'm going to pull up this picture of your, your pass crush and your present crush being in the same, in the same vicinity. And you got to, you know, be there with both. So me and Grace put a lot of thought into like what game we're going to, even though it was my brother's gift, we, you know, we picked the game. And we're like, yeah, yeah. So we're like, we should do the game, the first game against the White Sox, because it's the day after jaren's birthday. Because they were off on his birthday. And then we're like in Benny will be there. So like we can meet Benny. And he, like it, we say it's really unfortunate that it's not talked about enough. Because Benny was, like Benny was my first jaren. And like he came over, he signed a ball for me in a car, took a picture. And then it was just not like we just don't talk about it enough. And like sometimes I'll see the picture and be like, oh my God, I met Benny. Like if you told me from 2018, I was a sophomore high school. He told that Amanda. Oh, you met Benny. No way. She would not believe you. Okay. I'm going to put you on the spot right now. Okay. Who, who do you believe has better hair prime? Ben attendee or Duran? Like Duran, Duran's mullet right now. I think I'm talking flowing hair from Ben attendee. Like I really like Benny's hair, but I still have to go. I like the mullet. But like the black, you know, the black brunette mullet, not the blonde. Okay. Okay. But I liked Benny. I have the, they gave away a headband of Benny's hair. I have it somewhere in my room. I don't know where it is, but it like sticks up here and it's got like the flow in the back, but I think I have to go with the mullet. Okay. Now, I want to sit there and, you know, talk a little bit because something really happened special at Ben away this year, and it was section 10 night. Yeah. It was crazy because when, you know, DC and myself wanted to start the, you know, pesky podcast, I went and reached out to Steve. And I was like, dude, there's a thousand Red Sox podcast. I'm like, like, what do we do? And he's like, just find something that makes you stand out and be different. Mm hmm. And, you know, find your niche that way. So I'm like, okay, you know, and I was always a huge section 10 guy. You know, when they separated, I was loyal to Steve. Not like I didn't like Jared, but I had the interaction with Steve. You know, if I had a DM, I would DM him. You know, I went and DM them what day it was. And when was the All-Star game in Colorado? Is that two years ago? Twenty twenty twenty one. Yeah. I'm right before All-Star break. I was going up to Fenway and I was like, dude, I got a, I got to have a beer with you at a game. He goes, bet. Let me know when, you know, and then, you know, he was sitting there. He messaged me and apologized because they had to leave early to go out to the All-Star game and stuff. But I was always loyal to Steve because, you know, Steve, to me, he's a down the earth guy. You know, he's very chill and stuff like that. So what was it like for you, you know, section 10 night because I was, I was trying to go up there. What was it the Sunday or the Monday beforehand before section 10 night? Because you and I were talking back and forth. You know, because I was like, I want to meet you, hang out. Yeah. But what was it like for you because like, were you a section 10, you know, person? Like everybody else was. So I didn't start listening until twenty twenty one. Like I knew I went to winter weekend in twenty nineteen. And I saw Jared and I knew who he was, but I didn't listen. I still took a picture with him. But no, like knew nothing about him really just knew he had a podcast. And then the only episode I listened to was when they interviewed Benny in twenty nineteen. And then I don't really remember what like made me be like, you know, I should listen. But it was twenty twenty one. I listened. I think I started in maybe May. And I was like, oh my gosh, like these guys have like the same humor as me. And I would listen every episode. And now, like, that's just, that's my favorite. I listened to that and baseball is dead. But section 10 is by far my favorite. I swear you said they mentioned you on section 10. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, um, oh, so baseball is dead. Actually, I was mentioned first last year. I met Dallas at Fenway. Like, I went to the game just to meet him. Like, hoping I'd see him. And it was me, my brother and his friend. And I saw this big bushy beard in the dugout. And I just yelled, I'll be right back. And I ran. And I was like, are you Dallas? Knowing it was, but I don't know why I asked that. And he was like, I am. And then I said, oh, my God, like, I listened to baseball is dead, blah, blah, blah. And he signed, he signed a ball. He put like two Amanda, like, thanks for the love, signed the ball. And then this, this, like, girl that worked for the A's, she was taking pictures of me and him. And then she sent them to me. And then I went on Twitter that night. And this is when I didn't post. I was going to post just to see like if he would see it or something. And it was already on Twitter. So I was like, good iron. When did I post this? I don't remember. He posted it. And I was like, whoa. That's out. That wasn't saying. So now I'm listening to like one of the episodes. And he starts like taught like describing this like story of I'm standing in the dugout. And I see this, I see this girl running. She gets over to me. She's out of breath. And I was like, oh my God, he's talking about me. So then he like told like, he said like our conversation. And then he like shouted me out. And then I told Jared that. I think this year. I think that's what it might have been maybe the end of last year. Oh, I actually interviewed Jared for like a school assignment. And that I that's when I told him. And he was like, oh, that's you're the Amanda. And now. It was the Savannah bananas game. Me and Grace go. We see Jared. Jared. Like we're like, he's with his girlfriend. You know, we don't want to interrupt. And we were just standing there like idiots. Cause now. Yeah, like, oh my God, do we go for now? Like then he makes eye contact with me. And I've obviously met him before. So I was like, Oh, hi, Jared. And he was like, Oh, hi, Amanda. How's the newfound fame? And I was like, huh? And he was talking about the. Tristan video. And I was like, Oh, so now we really look stupid because he knew like we were waiting. Talk to him. And oh, yeah. There's Tristan signing her jersey. Like you just look at her face. She's like speechless. Yeah. There. I always tell people. Like even when it comes to like interviewing players, we have on here and stuff, I'm like, they're just normal people to talk to them like the normal people. Yeah. You know, but there's just, there's some people that are just like, blah. Yeah. Because they're like star struck and they're like, um, I can't talk. Oh my God. Well, Tristan, he's like, he takes up the whole door frame. So when you like meet him for the first time, you're like, Oh my God, this guy's tall. And that and being her first time, like meeting him, like she was just in shock. But now like she'll talk like we saw him on the field and they were, they were yapping. So, but, um, Jared, like, he'll DM me. Oh, yeah. And then there's, there's my brother. He unfortunately on, um, when we were on the field, he didn't get an autograph. Like said, he signed for like these kids and then he went in the dugout. But that was, um, it was the last, it was the day before the last game. They did like the fan on field thing. And he finally got, he finally got his picture with steady. No autograph because they weren't allowed, but I would take a picture first. I remember. Oh, 2016 was my first time going to Fenway. I think I was 2016. Yeah. And I went from my birthday weekend and it was a, I went to Tampa. It was a Friday, Saturday, Sunday. And the Friday night game. It was, it was raining. And they had, uh, Stephen Wright pitching, a knuckle baller, which I didn't understand. If it's raining, you know, I would have switched things up. But the next day for my birthday was, uh, fan appreciation and we got it on the field. And it was crazy because I was like, we, we get there. And it's just, and it's almost like, you know, uh, you're batting, like your, your passes, but it's just like a whole velvet rope around the whole. And stuff. And I, and I get there and I looked. I see Jackie Bradley Journal to the left, but he's going the opposite way of me. I'm like, Oh man. But then like I got two favorite pictures. Bam. Me was Zander. Oh yeah. That, that was the beer. That was when the beer was low and tight. But like I got Zander almost like, Oh man. And then I got another picture up top here. It was with a young brock hole. Oh, oh, that's a good one. And I was, I was like, Oh man. So for a long time, like the connection, Zander was always my favorite, like the longest time. And then, then he broke my heart. Yeah. Oh, you broke mine too. I was very convinced, you know, it was right after judge signed his contract. I was like, you know, the Yankees got their captain and I'm getting mine back. And I woke up the next morning and there was. Oh man. That was crazy. It was, it was a, it was a bad day. Those fan experiences are great. Like because you get because, you know, they're down to earth people. You know, pictures like that. And it's kind of something like to give back to the fans. Yeah. So it was great. Like I love that. I, I almost like when I was going to come up with the beginning of September. I already went and I was like, I was already going to reach out to pap. Oh, yeah. Kenya. Can you, can you maybe help me out a little bit? Yeah. But not that he hasn't done enough for, you know, us here at pesky podcast. You know, you got a commercial. He sent for the, for the how come in your shirts. You know, the, the, the plug that he used to do on, on this and post game. But it's, I'm like, I'm like you. Well, if he says no, it says no, you know what I mean? But I never asked yet. The first time I went to Fenway, I was, it was 2010. So I was six going to be seven and it got rained out. And then two years later, we went back and it was the fan thing. We had, my parents had no idea. So like we get into Fenway, just thinking, you know, going to see a game. All the fans are on the field and where my dad was all confused. By the time we got out there, most of the players were gone. But like, I was, I was nine or I was eight going to be nine. And I, I didn't care. I was on the field at Fenway. And then this year, like we knew about it. So we picked the spot and they like directed the players. Like you start there, you start there. Jaren started in center. We were in right. And I don't, like we thought we had to like stay where we were. Oh no, we were running all over the place. Like, oh, you know, she was over here, said he's over here. We got Jaren and he just was like, oh, I can't say I'm surprised. And then we got, I got a bunch of players that day. I, I, I seen like Yoshida. He looked like he took the most respectable pics. Yeah, I know. And in the world. I asked them a few, like, because they'd stop for like two people and then move along. So I just kept following them and I finally got them. And I realized he's not even looking at the camera, but I, I don't care. Like I, I like Yoshida. I know he's, you know, probably going to get traded or he's not going to be on the team forever, but I like, I like the macho man. So I needed, I needed a picture with him. But he, for every picture, he posed like that. You got a picture with 10 or two, didn't you? Yeah, I got one with him and this lady was like in the picture, like just in the way. So then I found him again and I asked them and I was like, can we take another one? This lady was in the way and he was, he was all nice about it. I started laughing. Who else? I got Tristan. He, him and Jaren did the same thing. I was like, oh, can we take a picture? Oh, no, I didn't even ask yet. They both saw me and they pointed and was like, not you, not you. And they like pretended to walk away. And then they started laughing and came back over, took the picture. And who else? I got steady. Um, I was trying to get Veritek, but there was like a mob of people waiting for him. Yeah. So let's, let's sit there and go to your new love card collecting. Oh, God. Oh, God. I don't know if I can say at first, I guess I can say it was your new love, but I think now you're, you're, it's an obsession. It's so bad. Every day I come home and there's a card in the mail or every night I sit on eBay and I'm looking and. I'm like, don't bid, don't bid. And then I bid. And I have way too many now and I'm still bidding. Like, what's your favorite Jaren Durant card that you got so far? And what is the one that you, it's, it's on your bucket list. Like, I've got to have it. Um, So I, I like the 2022 inception, Jaren, it's his rookie, his rookie year. I'm trying to get all of them. And there's one that I, I can't find it's, uh, it's blue. It's out of 25. I somehow have the Tristan one, but I can't get, I can't find the Jaren one anywhere. There's one guy that said he knows somebody that might have it, but I haven't heard anything. So that's the one I'm dying to have. Well, send me, send me the info. Uh, I have a guy that. All he does is, is go and look for Red Sox prospect cards for me. Oh, really? And, and, and I actually have, I don't know if you can see behind. Like he went and got me, got me this card. It was the grand grand rookie card with the helmet. Oh, yeah, I've seen that one. Yeah, like he, he's, he said there, like he gets me a whole bunch, but send me it. I'll sit there and see because he goes to card shows and everything. Me and me and my brother went to a card show yesterday. Came home with like. Eight more cards. So the, the only thing he here asked is, what's the crazy number? Like, what's your max crazy number that, that you're willing to bid for a card and, and, and I'm thinking of myself. If I ask you and then tell him, he's probably going to be like, are you sure? Because the look on your eye for this card, it's like, yeah, the crazy number could be actually a crazy number. Like what you're willing to go for. I saw one sold for like, I want to say 45. And that's how much I bought the Tristan one for, and I bought that no hesitation. So, but for Jaren, I feel like the most I would do is maybe. Maybe 60. Okay. I don't, I don't think it's that much, but that's, that's my highest. Because I have, I have the white one, which is the base. I have the green one, which is the base. I have orange out of 50 and I have pink out of 99. So there's like three more I need. And the other two are on eBay. The only one is that blue one. So I know we've been going to like, to me, I don't care. Well, well, we've been going for a while now, an hour and 30 mark. But, you know, there's a lot to, not to talk about, but so much. Your favorite Jaren Duran story or conversation you guys had. That you can say on the air that you haven't said yet. It would have to be when we're on the field after the game, which. I still can't believe that happened. Because I thought, you know, we'd get the field passes and that'd be it. It would be on the field before the game. And then, you know, we'd go wait for him out back like normal. And that is not how the night went, which. So what happened, what happened with that was. We're on, we're on the field batting practice. And he doesn't take batting practice outside. He hits underneath. And he was like in the outfield, like throwing and whatever. And I was like, I feel like he'll come over because he knows we're out here. But I don't know. I don't know. All of a sudden, we're actually talking to Tristan. And I see him like, like looking like that. And I was like, Oh my God, he's looking for us. He spotted somebody. I don't know if it was me. I don't know if it was my brother spotted somebody. And he just had this cool, like big smile on his face. And I was like, Oh my God, here he comes. So he comes over. He's all, what's up guys? Like, I'm glad everything went smooth. And people, like kids around us, Jared, can you sign? Can you sign? And these, oh guys, like, I'm just going to hang out with these guys. Like, I know them, whatever. And all I was thinking about was how I was going to take a picture with him on the field. Like, backwards, his sunglasses on, his cut off, whatever. And we go to take the picture. And my grace was going to take it. And my dad was like, Oh, no, I got it. I got it. I don't know what happened, but me and Jaren were standing there like that posing. My dad had his phone, you know, up like this. Never took the picture. Then my brother stepped in. So my dad took pictures of the three of us. And then Jaren, he had to go, you know, get ready for the game. And I said, Oh, send the pictures. And I'm looking through them. Where's the picture of me and Jaren? And he was like, I don't know what you're talking about. There's no picture of you and Jaren. And I was like, but we, we stood there. What do you mean? And he was like, I don't know. There's no picture. So now I'm, I'm, I'm mad. Like I, like, you know, I'm on the field, whatever. And I don't have a reason to be mad, but like, I do at the same time. And then he's all mad, like, Oh, it's my fault. You know, and my mom was like, well, it is your fault. You didn't take the picture. And then I'm just like silent because I'm thinking there's no way. All I wanted was this picture. So like even, even Grace, she knew not to like talk, like she wanted to meet Willier. She finally met him. And she like didn't want to bring it up because she didn't want to be like, Oh, I'm all happy. And, you know, you didn't get what you wanted. So I just, I DM Jaren not expecting him to answer before the game saying like, never trusting my dad again. He didn't hit the picture or he didn't hit the button. So now there's no picture. And he said, come down to the dugout after the game. And you guys come back on the field and we'll take a picture and I was like, Oh my God, everything's okay now. So we, we go down and we're just waiting. And of course, security just thinks we're just standing there. And they were like, you guys got to get going and we're like, Oh, no, no, no, wait, wait, wait. So we told them and then we showed him the DM and they were like, Oh, okay. But now I don't know what Jaren was doing, but he was taking forever. And they're like, all right, you got to give him like a minute or two more and then you got to get going. And I was like, Oh, no, no, no. All of a sudden he popped his head up and they let us on. And I just thought, you know, he'd take the picture and that'd be it. We talked to him on the field for an hour. They shut the lights off. It was just us and two security guards left and like the ground through. And the security guards were like a minute or two. I thought you guys have it. Yeah, like we were just, we were just talking about like so much like how long the season is and like, he, he just couldn't believe like how far I live and I was there that much. He was, he was just saying how he was like thankful to have like us, like coming to his life because of how it just mean people were to him and now he has these like die hard fans that like, now I'm a Jaren fan, like forever. Like if he's wearing a different uniform. Next year, two years, 10 years, I'm still going to be a Jaren fan. Speak that into existence. Oh, I know trust me. Oh, I know. Oh, I know. Unfortunately, like everybody wants to talk about the. Oh, there's a log jam in the outfield. So, like, there's a log jam, log jam in the outfield like. In my eyes, we don't have like it's everybody's. It's willier or Jaren that we're getting rid of. You could put Jaren and left, SETI and center, and then willier and Roman could be right. Like, you don't need to trade one of them. Would it be helpful to get a, you know, picture or something back? Yeah, but not for Jaren. I look at it the other way that Sadon Rapaella is such a great player that he could he could be your fourth outfielder when need be and he could be your shortstop trade Marcelo Meyer. Yeah. One of the prospects got to go. I'd rather trade him. Put Rapaella at shortstop and then you could have Roman Anthony, Abreu and Duran out in the outfield. Like, yeah, that there could be the next version of your killer bees. Like, exactly. Like, there's no, there's no need to trade them. I know last year, there was the always going to go to San Diego. And I think Jared said that almost happened. But, but does he know for who or. I'm trying to think, I'm trying to think who San Diego had last year are, you know, that would have been good. Like what? Say back, treat us for Zander. Like, get Zander back. Exactly. I don't, I just remember Jared saying it was going to be Jaren, but then it just fell through. And I'm forever grateful I did. Yeah. So, Amanda, Amanda, you know, I, man, it's just, it's crazy how things end up, you know, and, and now, like, you can sit there and say that you have. You can say that he's a player and you're a fan, but it seems like you guys have built a relationship where you guys are like friends, you know what I mean? He actually, he, he DM me. It was after the last game. He like DMed us saying like he was grateful. We're at Tasty Burger. And he DMed us saying that he was grateful to have friends like us. And I almost fell over in Tasty Burger because in no world that I think Jaren and Rand would call me his friend. Absolutely. He's trying to, he's trying to get us out to California. He keeps saying, come to California, come to California, because obviously that's where he lives now. But one, one year I'll make it there. Well, tell, tell Grace to go with you guys can watch a Bruins Kings game. That's, that's what I said, because obviously we're going to go in the off season. Because what would that do or like how would that work if he's in Boston and oh now we're in California, unless we go when they play, you know, the angels. They play, they play the angels and the giants in California, this upcoming season. I don't know, but it happened to be an off season. You're tiny. You're tiny enough. Why can't you just tell Jaren to throw you into a suitcase for like, I should throw on the team playing and go. Yeah, I should. He, he, he said like there's been years in the past that he's driven home. So, you know, if he ever needed somebody to keep him company. I would not mind. Yeah. So this year he flew, but next year. Never know. But that, that feel past day couldn't have gone any, any better than it did. And then he, I DM them after saying like, you know, we can, we can never thank you enough for that, whatever. And he said, like, he appreciates us. And then he's so like thankful, like, have us and just never would imagine that just from going to games and waiting for him after. Cause I wouldn't expect that. And he, he like, if I ask him to sign stuff, he'll sign, like if I hand him four cards, he's going to sign four cards. You know, bats, jerseys. Well, he gave us the bat. And then everyone's like, all right, you need a jersey next. And I was like, I can't ask, like, that's too much. But I said it. I didn't ask him. I said that. I was like, you know, people keep telling me this, but I think it's too much. And he said, like, oh, I'll give you a jersey. Like, it's the least I could do. And I was like, what do you mean the least you could do? Like, you gave us field passes. You give us, you've given us this, like, amazing summer, this amazing year, but you still want to give me more. And, and you're probably thinking, like, he's, he's not watching my feed on Instagram or he's not watching, you know, what I'm posting on Twitter. Like, like, but I guarantee you, you know, he's, he's skimming through and seeing, you know, because he seems to be the type of person that loves to give back, like, he's very humble. He's very giving. And, you know, it's, it, he found genuine fans. You know, there's always people out there that, oh, well, I want something to return. But he doesn't see that. And you guys know, you know, we, um, we, uh, what else is there? Like, I just want to talk, like, I just want to talk about, like, my whole season. Like, that's all I ever want to talk about. And, like, I know, like, people don't care. So I, I have to, like, keep it in. But me and Grace, like, every night, we're just like, how did this happen? How did this happen? Like, we just, we're never, it's never just going to, like, any of it. It's never going to, like, process. And then, like, more stuff keeps happening that. It just makes it even harder to, like, like, none of it's going to settle in. Like, Jaren said, the winning the MVP, he was like, that'll settle in in the, in the off season. And I was like, see for us, I said that, but I don't, I don't think so, because, like, more stuff, like, after the bat, I was like, oh, that's it. And then more and more and more. And, I mean, next season, he said he's, he'll do more for us. So it's crazy, but, but he sees how thankful you guys are for it. Oh, yeah. You know, so, but we saw his parents in the team store, like, after the all-star game, and we're going to, like, they were trying to take a picture. And we wanted to photo bomb it. But, like, we're like, no, he'll think we're crazy. We told him that. And he started laughing. He was like, oh, my God, you should have. That would have been hilarious. Like, so now we know we see his parents again. We're going to, we should just take a picture. Yeah. So, but Amanda, I want to thank you for coming on. I do want to do a part two of this, like, some of the offseason. But I, I've got, like, a grace on to, because, you know, the conversations, the conversations you guys have. And, you know, and everything. So I do want to set that up for, you know, some time in the offseason. But Amanda, I want to thank you for coming on. Please tell everyone where they can find you at. And, you know, promote yourself, you know, the fours, yours. I'm sure most people know me on Twitter, big, big swole fan at big swole fan. My TikTok is the same thing. I'm trying next season. We were going to post more on TikTok. And then my Instagram, it's just my name, Amanda Wallace, 18, but Twitter is where I post the most. So big swole fan. Okay. So guys, this episode will be going on iTunes, Spotify, and iHeartRadio tomorrow morning, it'll be dropping. So head on over there, check us out, the pesky podcast. Also, make sure you go over to our store. BSE and 617.square.site. We have two great jam-to-ran shirts. Amanda has the one acknowledging him. I'm wearing the other one. You know, I'm like a wolf. So make sure you head on over there and check them out. But for Amanda and for myself, thanks stopping by the pesky podcast. I'm going to tell you a story. I'm going to tell you about my town. I'm going to tell you a big fat story, baby. I talk about my town. Yeah, down by the river. Down by the banks of the river. ♪ I'm a bit of a child ♪