The United States is headed to the World Baseball Classic championship game. Team USA beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 Sunday night in Miami. Roman Anthony provided the difference. The Boston Red Sox outfielder crushed a go-ahead home run in the fourth inning. The 21-year-old became the hero in the biggest game of the tournament so far.
Three weeks ago, Anthony was preparing for his first full MLB season. Now he’s one win away from a World Baseball Classic championship.
The Americans will face either Italy or Venezuela on Tuesday for the title.
Anthony Delivers the Defining Moment
The fourth inning changed everything for Team USA. Gunnar Henderson opened it with a solo home run. The game was tied. Anthony came up two batters later.
He was thrown a 95 mph sinker. Full count. Anthony didn’t miss. The ball traveled 421 feet to center field. Team USA took a 2-1 lead.
Anthony described the moment after the game.
“This lineup’s unbelievable, so for me, it makes my life easy to go out there and just kind of try to pass the baton to the next guy. And for me, when I hit it, I kind of just blacked out. In my head, just, Please go. Please go.”
This marked Anthony’s second massive home run of the tournament. He crushed a three-run shot against Mexico in pool play that provided the margin in a 5-3 victory.
When Team USA needed clutch hits, the youngest player on the roster kept delivering them.
Veterans Can’t Stop Talking About Anthony
David Ortiz called Anthony “the complete package” after Sunday’s win. The Red Sox legend wasn’t alone in his assessment.
Bryce Harper has watched him operate up close all tournament. What he’s seen has impressed him.
“He’s got so much aura…incredible,” Harper said. “It’s been fun. He’s a stud man. He’s so much fun to watch play. He and Bobby Witt Jr. are going to lead the way for this team for a long time and Gunnar Henderson, same thing.”
Aaron Judge noticed something else about Anthony. He highlighted the young outfielder’s willingness to learn from everyone around him.
“Roman’s a class act…to be 21 years old and doing what he’s doing on the biggest stage in baseball, every single night,” Judge said. “I see him in the cage, he’s watching Bryce and asking questions. He’s watching Bobby. It’s the coolest thing to see, at such a young age to ask questions and be observant like that and just trying to get better. The Red Sox definitely have a good one in him.”
Anthony wasn’t supposed to be here. Corbin Carroll got hurt during spring training. DeRosa made the call. Anthony said yes immediately. He just delivered on the biggest stage.
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 15: Roman Anthony #3 of Team United States runs around the bases after hitting a solo home run against Team Dominican Republic during the fourth inning at loanDepot park on March 15, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Roman Anthony Gives Credit to DR
Playing against the Dominican Republic meant facing one of the most talented rosters in the tournament. Anthony gave them credit while explaining what representing his country means.
“Yeah, it was unbelievable,” Anthony said. “I mean, that’s an unreal team over there. Credit to them. I mean, so many stars, you know, so many guys who have impacted the game and in such positive ways. So, just getting to play them, it’s an unbelievable experience, but it’s even more unreal to be able to represent this country.”
Anthony hit .292 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 71 games for the Red Sox last season. His .859 OPS showed offensive upside. The World Baseball Classic has only confirmed what Boston already knew about their young outfielder.
Final Word for the Red Sox
Three weeks ago, Roman Anthony was focused on preparing for his first full MLB season. Then Corbin Carroll got hurt. Mark DeRosa called. Anthony joined Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
On Sunday night, he launched the go-ahead home run in a 2-1 semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic. The youngest player on the roster delivered in the biggest moment. He said he “blacked out” after making contact.
The championship game is Tuesday against Italy or Venezuela. One more win gives Team USA its first WBC title since 2017.
Anthony will be ready. He keeps showing up when it matters most.
Red Sox Roman Anthony Delivers for Team USA in WBC Semifinal