- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,502
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Roman Anthony's Remarkable Journey To World Baseball Classic Final originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On Tuesday, Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony will play in the biggest game of his life: the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela.
For Anthony, his baseball life and career have come full circle. The South Florida native grew up going to games at loanDepot Park and watching the Miami Marlins. Three years ago, during the most recent World Baseball Classic, he attended the final game at loanDepot Park in the stands.
Now, he's playing there with a title on the line and a chance to help Team USA win the tournament for the first time since 2017, when he was just 12 years old.
As good as Anthony's always been, nobody expected him to be here or can believe it's actually happening, even his parents.
“The parabolic rise this kid has had since being called up last year, everything has gone from zero to 100 miles an hour,” his father, Tony Anthony, told Johnny Flores Jr. of The Athletic(subscription required). “No matter how good you think they are watching them grow up, you don’t expect it.”
Especially at this age. It's easy to forget that Anthony's only 21, as he's so advanced and ahead of schedule compared to other players his age.
Everything has happened so quickly for him, too. The last year has been a whirlwind, from his Major League debut last June to his injury in September to starring in his first World Baseball Classic this month.
Anthony wasn't even supposed to be in the tournament originally. He was an injury replacement for Corbin Carroll and has made the most of the opportunity, taking over the WBC despite being the youngest player on Team USA.
Along the way, he's impressed everyone from teammates and managers to opponents and fans.
“Roman’s special,” USA manager Mark DeRosa told Flores. “Twenty-one years old, to be able to handle the moment. The quality of at-bat is a testament to the kind of player he is right now and is going to become.”
Anthony has picked up where he left off last year, reminding everyone why he's one of the best players in baseball. On Tuesday, he has a chance to become a national hero.
More MLB: What Channel Is USA vs. Venezuela on Tonight? Live Stream, Start Time for World Baseball Classic Championship
Continue reading...
