Rome Wasn't Built Alone
Christopher Smith
July 10, 2025
“How Roman Anthony, Marcello Mayer, and a Humble Rookie Culture are Rebuilding Boston”
July 1st was supposed to hold the first game of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds; however, the weather had other plans. The 7:00 pm matchup was postponed early into play due to a thunderstorm, and by 10 o'clock, most players had left the stadium and headed home for the night. But not Roman Anthony, not Marcello Mayer. The two rookies stepped outside Fenway into the rain to greet every last fan who came to see them, taking pictures, signing autographs, and creating memories that will last a lifetime for their fans. These fans couldn’t care less that there would be no baseball that night, because the rookies showed them that they cared. That says more about the future of this organization than any stat ever will. The Boston Red Sox aren’t just building a new team; they’re building a culture. The new Red Sox are here to stay.
Not only can these guys make the fans feel seen, but they can back it up at the plate. As of now, Roman Anthony is batting .212, which isn’t all that bad when you take into account his struggles early. At the time this article was written, Anthony had batted .375 over his past 7 games. He knows how to get hot, as he recorded his first multi-hit game on June 28, hitting 3-5 with two doubles in a 15-1 victory against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays. Unlike some of the Red Sox stars of yesterday, Anthony is a true team player and says he’ll play wherever the team needs him. In spring training, when asked about him, Red Sox slugger Alex Bregman said Anthony was “mature beyond his years” and stated that he believes he is going to become an “elite hitter.”
Marcello Mayer has also had his fair share of clutch moments, as he had a 2-homer game on June 13 against the Tampa Bay Rays and many other memorable games in the short span he’s been with the team. As of now, he’s batting .207, but don’t let that fool you, when the bright lights come on, seeing Mayer play is well worth the price of admission. Many young prospects struggle with expectations and doubt; however, anyone who watches Mayer can see he approaches each game with a sort of quiet confidence. He knows he’s supposed to be here, and he's gonna prove it.
In this post-Devers era, where controversy and contract talk once dominated the conversation, it’s refreshing to see humility and hunger taking center stage. The Red Sox may be sitting below .500 today, but something is brewing in Boston that stats can’t fully capture. This rookie class isn’t rebuilding the Red Sox; they’re redefining them. And once these boys heat up, there’s no telling where we’ll be come October. Hopefully it's back where we belong: at Fenway, playing for something that matters.
Because this isn’t a rebuild, it’s the sequel.
Christopher Smith is a graduate of Littleton High School and will be attending the University of Missouri in the fall to study journalism.
July 1st was supposed to hold the first game of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds; however, the weather had other plans. The 7:00 pm matchup was postponed early into play due to a thunderstorm, and by 10 o'clock, most players had left the stadium and headed home for the night. But not Roman Anthony, not Marcello Mayer. The two rookies stepped outside Fenway into the rain to greet every last fan who came to see them, taking pictures, signing autographs, and creating memories that will last a lifetime for their fans. These fans couldn’t care less that there would be no baseball that night, because the rookies showed them that they cared. That says more about the future of this organization than any stat ever will. The Boston Red Sox aren’t just building a new team; they’re building a culture. The new Red Sox are here to stay.
Not only can these guys make the fans feel seen, but they can back it up at the plate. As of now, Roman Anthony is batting .212, which isn’t all that bad when you take into account his struggles early. At the time this article was written, Anthony had batted .375 over his past 7 games. He knows how to get hot, as he recorded his first multi-hit game on June 28, hitting 3-5 with two doubles in a 15-1 victory against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays. Unlike some of the Red Sox stars of yesterday, Anthony is a true team player and says he’ll play wherever the team needs him. In spring training, when asked about him, Red Sox slugger Alex Bregman said Anthony was “mature beyond his years” and stated that he believes he is going to become an “elite hitter.”
Marcello Mayer has also had his fair share of clutch moments, as he had a 2-homer game on June 13 against the Tampa Bay Rays and many other memorable games in the short span he’s been with the team. As of now, he’s batting .207, but don’t let that fool you, when the bright lights come on, seeing Mayer play is well worth the price of admission. Many young prospects struggle with expectations and doubt; however, anyone who watches Mayer can see he approaches each game with a sort of quiet confidence. He knows he’s supposed to be here, and he's gonna prove it.
In this post-Devers era, where controversy and contract talk once dominated the conversation, it’s refreshing to see humility and hunger taking center stage. The Red Sox may be sitting below .500 today, but something is brewing in Boston that stats can’t fully capture. This rookie class isn’t rebuilding the Red Sox; they’re redefining them. And once these boys heat up, there’s no telling where we’ll be come October. Hopefully it's back where we belong: at Fenway, playing for something that matters.
Because this isn’t a rebuild, it’s the sequel.
Christopher Smith is a graduate of Littleton High School and will be attending the University of Missouri in the fall to study journalism.
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