The Red Sox finally saw their star prospect deliver the moment they’d been waiting for. After a debut that fell flat, he stormed back in style, lacing his first big league hit at Fenway Park on Tuesday as Boston secured a 3-1 win over the Rays.
The ‘once-in-a-generation’ tag didn’t seem like an exaggeration anymore. The crowd rose for him in that emotional outing in front of family and friends; the moment felt electric. But what stole just as many glances as his double – a face in the stands, cheering wildly, and suddenly, all eyes weren’t just on the field.
The crown jewel of Boston’s farm system made his mark in just his second outing. But no one could have predicted his spotlight would be stolen by his sister, Lia Anthony. “I didn’t even notice they were there until I went up for my first at-bat,” said Anthony after the game, but the media’s eyes definitely did.
Just as his double hit the ground, cameras captured his family at the stands cheering for him. Surprisingly, Lia drew major attention as several outlets, including the New York Post, ran a story. That buzz even landed her an unexpected spot on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show on Thursday.
The 22-year-old reflected on the sudden fame after the game. “Wow, I mean, it’s been surreal.” And guess what? Her Instagram follower count has skyrocketed ever since. “I went from having, I think, 3,000 and now I’m at 14,000. It’s crazy.” Everyone was surprised by the media’s focus on her over her brother. “I think he definitely was shocked, we all were. But I mean, he’s got bigger things to focus on, so he’s just been, you know, focusing on his debut and everything,” expressed Lia.
The family couldn’t make it to his debut. That call-up came too suddenly for them to get there in time. But they made sure to fly in from Florida for his second outing, and it was worth every mile.
His mother, Lori Roman, was visibly in tears after his double. That same day, after their son contributed to the team’s win, the family also got to meet Red Sox legend David Ortiz, which Lia called an “unreal experience.” Her Instagram followers have now surged past 16.9K, a clear sign that her brother’s breakout is turning heads far beyond the field.
Anthony was emotional, too, about his family’s presence in the stands. “That group out there has been with me every step of the way… I know they had to miss yesterday because it was [on] short notice. To have them here was special for sure.”
Now, the family is planning to be there for more of his games to make it special. “We’ll make a few trips, for sure,” Lia shared. Amid crushing expectations, having the support of loved ones is everything a player could ask for. And for Roman Anthony, it’s clearly a lucky charm.
But it wasn’t just his family in the stands that brought him luck. The other charm was the No. 19 Red Sox jersey. The one that carries a legacy of its own.
Anthony finds his Fit in No. 19
After a quiet debut in No. 48, a number he’d also worn through spring training, Anthony made a decision before his second outing. He switched to #19, the same one he wore during his last year in the minors. Sean Newcomb’s trade to the Athletics freed up No. 19, and Anthony grabbed it just in time.
As you know, historically, No. 19 has a long and storied legacy in Boston: Worn by players like Moe Berg, Dante Bichette, Gabe Kapler, Koji Uehara, and more. And it didn’t take long for a former Red Sox #19 to send his best wishes.
“The No. 19 was good for me,” Fred Lynn wrote on his X account on Tuesday. “Hoping it’s good for Roman, too.” At 73, the Red Sox legend stepping up to bless Boston’s top prospect in his jersey is no small gesture. After all, Lynn became the first player in MLB history to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season back in 1975.
Josh Beckett also wore No. 19, leading Boston to two World Series titles.
So, Anthony can definitely believe in the magic. The rookie buzz has already had an impact on MLB, even on ticket sales. Now, with family by his side, the weight of a legendary jersey on his back, and a hot start in his pocket, Anthony can shift focus to what he came here for: Making an impact that lasts.
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