During the 2025 MLB season, the Boston Red Sox experienced one of their most memorable moments off the field on a turbulent plane ride from Boston to Minneapolis just before the Trade Deadline. The flight’s severe turbulence forced an emergency landing in Detroit and caused several players to suffer from motion sickness, disrupting the team’s travel plans and focus.
Flight Disruption Impacts Early Series Performance
The unexpected interruption, combined with a rain delay, momentarily affected Boston’s momentum as they opened their series against the Minnesota Twins with a narrow 5-4 loss. Despite this rough start, the Red Sox rebounded quickly, winning the following two games at Target Field and sparking a seven-game winning streak that strengthened their season’s outlook.
Jarren Duran Shares Amusing Insights from the Chaotic Journey
In an interview with Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, outfielder Jarren Duran reflected on the challenging flight, highlighting the humor brought by relief pitcher Greg Weissert, whose lighthearted attitude helped lift his teammates’ spirits during the ordeal. Weissert’s remarks stood out amid the distress caused by the turbulence and ensuing sickness.
He just kept talking about, ‘I love the grind. Keep giving it to me. When you think you’re done grinding, you’re still grinding.’ That kind of stuff is funny,
Duran told Healey.
People are dying, people are throwing up, people are running to the bathroom. He’s over there just absolutely loving every bit of the chaos.
—Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox player
Shared Experience Strengthens Team Bond and Inspires New Traditions
Though the flight was physically uncomfortable, Duran noted that the experience ultimately brought the players closer together, serving as an unexpected bonding moment. Since the incident, the Red Sox have recorded a 9-5 record and incorporated a new celebratory gesture that mimics an airplane buffeted by turbulence, symbolizing their resilience and unity during a critical stretch of the season.
Little stories like that is what make teams really close,
Duran explained.
Even though we were on a crazy plane ride, we have some stuff to laugh about.
—Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox player
Significance of the Incident for Team Morale
The turbulent journey and its aftermath not only tested the Red Sox physically and mentally but also helped reinforce camaraderie and lightheartedness in a high-pressure environment. Moments like these can improve team chemistry and morale, which are vital for maintaining performance during demanding parts of the baseball season. The combination of shared hardship and humor on that flight exemplifies how challenges off the field can influence dynamics on it.