Red Sox outfielder delivers go-ahead homer vs. Dominican Republic.
For a moment Sunday night in Miami, Roman Anthony wasn’t even sure what had happened.
The young Boston Red Sox outfielder had just launched the biggest swing of his career - a go-ahead home run that helped lift Team USA to a 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
But in the seconds after contact, even Anthony admits everything felt like a blur.
“When I hit it, I kind of just blacked out,” Anthony told FOX Sports postgame. “I was, in my head, saying, ‘Just please go, please go.’”
It did.
Anthony’s fourth-inning blast - a towering drive to center field - proved to be the decisive swing in one of the most intense games of the tournament so far. The United States pitching staff held off a star-loaded Dominican lineup the rest of the way, sending Team USA to the WBC championship game - their third time appearing in the final in the 20-year history of the tournament.
For Anthony, the moment was another step in what has quickly become a remarkable rise.
The 21-year-old entered the tournament with just 71 games of major league experience. Now, he’s one of the central figures in Team USA’s push for an international title, producing several of the tournament’s most important hits along the way.
Mar 15, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; United States left fielder Roman Anthony (3) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)Through six games in the WBC, Anthony is hitting .318 with 2 home runs, 7 RBI and a 1.014 OPS.
Those numbers are impressive on their own. But the bigger story has been the stage on which they’ve come.
Anthony has delivered repeatedly in high-pressure moments - including Sunday’s decisive swing against a Dominican roster packed with some of the game’s biggest stars. The experience has not gone unnoticed by the legends watching the tournament unfold.
“When you see a kid like that, whether it’s Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams or Derek Jeter or Big Papi, there are some people that just have the ‘It Factor,’” said Alex Rodriguez during the FOX postgame. “That kid has the looks, the humility, the size, the power. He’s very special.”
A Red Sox legend echoed that sentiment.
“I’ve got to tell you, that kid is a student of the game,” David Ortiz also said on the FOX desk. “We are so proud to have him in our organization, and it’s because he does nothing but get better and better and better. Glad that he’s healthy this year. He put on a show tonight.
“Some guys were asking me about you as a player. I told them that you are the complete package. You are a great athlete, good listener, your work ethic is at another level.”
Moments like Sunday night are part of the reason Anthony’s future has generated so much excitement in Boston.
After debuting last season and showing flashes of his immense potential, the young outfielder is now expected to play a major role for the Red Sox in 2026.
And if his performance on the international stage is any indication, Anthony may already be proving he’s ready for the spotlight.
Mar 15, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; United States left fielder Roman Anthony (3) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Dominican Republic during a semifinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.