Boston, MA — Just 24 hours after a controversial sports pundit described Jarren Duran as a mere “figurehead” in the Red Sox roster — implying he lacked real impact on the field — the 27-year-old outfielder let his bat do the talking.

In a tense matchup at Fenway Park, Duran crushed his first home run of the season, a towering shot deep into right field that silenced critics and reignited the energy of the Boston faithful.

But it wasn’t just the homer that made headlines — it was what Duran did next.

As he rounded third and approached home plate, Duran looked straight into the dugout camera and mouthed clearly:

“Figure this out.”

The subtle, yet pointed message sent social media into a frenzy, with fans and teammates alike applauding the fire behind Duran’s game. Moments after the game ended, he confirmed to reporters that the gesture was intentional.

“I heard what was said,” Duran said. “I’m not here to play a role — I’m here to win games and help this team compete. If someone wants to doubt me, that’s cool. I’ve been proving people wrong my whole life.”

Just one day prior, local talk shows and online forums were ablaze with speculation that Duran, while talented, was “marketed more for optics than for output.” The comment, made anonymously by a scout during a radio segment, was widely criticized as dismissive and unfair.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora stood firmly behind his player:

“He’s not a figurehead. He’s a fighter. And if tonight didn’t prove that, I don’t know what will.”

Duran’s teammates were also quick to support him on social media. Rafael Devers posted a photo of Duran’s swing with the caption: “Figurehead? More like firestarter.”

With his confidence growing and his performance catching fire, it seems Jarren Duran is done with narratives — and ready to write his own.