Roman Anthony ready to play in World Baseball Classic final FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Roman Anthony’s latest heroics in the World Baseball Classic, a go-ahead solo home run that propelled Team USA to a 2-1 semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic, left his Red Sox teammates in awe. The 21-year-old’s performance underscored his growing reputation as a clutch performer on the international stage. Anthony’s clutch hit in the semifinals came just days after he delivered a three-run homer in a 5-3 win over Mexico, further solidifying his role as a key contributor for Team USA. With six games under his belt in the tournament, he now boasts a .318 batting average, .423 on-base percentage, .591 slugging percentage, two home runs, and a team-leading seven RBIs. His standout performance has positioned him to face either Italy or Venezuela in the final, set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Teammates have praised Anthony’s poise and confidence, noting that his ability to thrive in high-pressure moments is nothing short of remarkable. Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story called him “a special kid,” emphasizing that Anthony’s success was anticipated despite his age and relative inexperience. “He’s earned it by the way he goes about his business,” Story said. “It’s crazy to think he’s doing this at 21, but he’s made it look natural.” Anthony’s journey to this point has been rapid. Just three years ago, he was a high school freshman who secured tickets to the 2023 WBC final by arranging a road trip with Minor League teammates. The group watched Team USA face Japan in a thrilling matchup, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to clinch the title for Japan. Now, Anthony has the chance to avenge that loss as the starting left fielder, a role he assumed after Arizona’s Corbin Carroll was sidelined with a broken hamate bone.#world_baseball_classic #team_usa #roman_anthony #red_sox #trevor_story
