Roman Anthony Makes History with Leadoff Homer for Red Sox
BALTIMORE — In a spectacular performance on Monday night, rookie Roman Anthony etched his name in MLB history as the youngest player in Boston Red Sox history to lead off a game with a home run. The 21-year-old outfielder launched a remarkable 410-foot shot off Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, contributing to the Red Sox’s 4-3 victory.
When reflecting on his achievement, Anthony remarked simply, “It’s pretty cool.” The blast came in the first inning, when he connected with a 93.8 mph fastball, producing an exit velocity of 107.2 mph. This historic homer surpassed the previous record held by Bobby Doerr, who hit a leadoff home run on August 1, 1939, at 21 years and 116 days old. Anthony did it at 21 years and 104 days, showcasing an impressive blend of skill and composure.
Since his promotion to the majors on June 9, Anthony has dazzled with his performance, batting .283 with a .396 on-base percentage, six home runs, and 28 RBIs over 63 games. Recognized as Baseball America’s No. 1 MLB prospect, his youth has not hindered his performance, which he attributes to the supportive mix of veterans and fellow young players on the team. "I’ve always felt like I’ve been the youngest guy in a lot of the clubhouses," he noted, emphasizing the camaraderie within the team.
With Anthony’s remarkable achievement fueling excitement among fans and teammates alike, the Red Sox look to build on this momentum as the season continues.
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