BOSTON — Roman Anthony was eagerly anticipating the 275-mile journey from Worcester to Allentown, Pennsylvania, poised for his next Triple-A game. However, manager Chad Tracy of the WooSox hinted about a possible change in plans. The team was informed that departure could be delayed as someone might be required to head east to Boston instead.
“At first, I didn’t think much of it,” Anthony shared with reporters in the Red Sox dugout at Fenway Park before making his notable debut in Boston’s 10-8, 11-inning defeat against Tampa Bay on Monday night.
He was casually lingering in the food area with a few teammates when Tracy unexpectedly approached and announced, “Hey, you’re going to the big leagues.” Hearing this was a dream come true for Anthony, marking a significant moment in his career. He expressed that everything afterward seemed surreal, albeit incredibly exciting.
In his debut, Anthony played in right field and batted fifth. His introduction during the pre-game festivities sparked the biggest applause, and he earned a standing ovation from the 31,422-strong crowd when he stepped up to the plate in the second inning. Although he popped up to left field, the cheers followed him to the dugout.
In the fourth inning, what could have been his first major league hit was thwarted when his powerful line drive, clocked at 111 mph, struck pitcher Shane Baz. The ball deflected to the third baseman, resulting in an out. Later, Anthony struck out while looking with runners on base in the sixth and walked in the seventh inning.
The anticipation peaked in the ninth inning. With two runners in scoring position, Anthony hit an RBI groundout, showcasing his potential. He was slated to lead the 11th inning but was replaced by manager Alex Cora for a left-handed pinch-hitter against Ian Seymour.
“It was thrilling to finally step onto the field, momentarily ignoring everything outside and playing alongside the team,” Anthony remarked post-game. The experience was invaluable despite the loss, especially considering it was his debut.
While playing right field, Anthony handled two singles with ease in the fourth inning. However, a crucial error in the fifth inning, when a ground ball slipped under his glove, led to a two-base error and an unearned run against Tampa. “Mistakes like that can’t happen,” he conceded, feeling partly responsible for the loss and determined to improve.
At just 21 years old, Anthony was a standout second-round draft pick who recently made headlines with a tremendous 497-foot grand slam in Worcester. As the top-rated prospect before his major league call-up, he batted .288 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 58 Triple-A games this season.
Red Sox fans had been eagerly anticipating Anthony’s major league appearance, particularly with the team trailing in fourth place within the AL East and falling behind rivals like the New York Yankees. The injury of Wilyer Abreu necessitated a quick call-up for Anthony to fill the gap in the outfield.
“It’s been anticipated for quite a while,” noted Marcelo Mayer, who had joined the major leagues about two weeks prior. He expressed enthusiasm about sharing the field with Anthony, confident that his skills would significantly benefit the team.
Manager Cora pinpointed a problem with Abreu following a game against the Yankees and, upon determining the injury was more than a short-term setback, placed Abreu on a 10-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. Anthony was added to the 40-man roster by designating first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda.
Cora expressed optimism about Anthony’s future, asserting, “We’re committed to winning. The young man has prepared diligently for this moment, and we’re thrilled for him. This is monumental for the organization.”
Anthony’s stunning 497-foot homer, the longest recorded this year using Statcast metrics across the major and minor leagues, had made him somewhat famous even before his promotion. Very few home runs have surpassed it since Statcast’s inception in 2015.
After receiving confirmation of his promotion, Anthony managed to inform his family and gathered his essentials, including his glove, a bat, and borrowed cleats. He then drove along the MassPike towards Boston. By the evening, he was aiming for the historic red seat in Fenway that commemorates Ted Williams’ legendary 502-foot homer — the longest at Fenway Park.
“It all happened so fast. No one truly expects that call, regardless of when it may come,” he commented before the game, finding relief in the prospect of playing at a major league level rather than being en route to Lehigh Valley.