If you were watching the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game on Thursday night, you’ll always remember the bat flip.
In the annals of Red Sox-Yankees history, Roman Anthony’s post-home run gesture might ultimately be archived in more proper, singular terms as, ‘The Bat Flip’.
After launching a ninth-inning slider from Yerry De Los Santos high into the Bronx sky, Anthony discarded his weapon with swagger, and Red Sox fans, for a moment, froze in euphoric disbelief.
Anthony’s homer, though a tad jarring in its immediacy (first pitch of the at-bat), wasn’t very surprising to Red Sox fans who are familiar with Anthony’s game.
Story continues below advertisement
The 21-year-old phenom has somehow already established himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in all of baseball, armed with the plate discipline of a 10-year veteran.
What was more difficult to fathom than the homer itself was the bat flip that followed, mostly due to Anthony’s ever-reserved demeanor.
For a fleeting moment, Anthony tore through the walls of his amicable etiquette and revealed the inner makeup of a cold-blooded competitor capable of setting entire stadiums on fire.
Story continues below advertisement
Of course, on Thursday night, Anthony didn’t ignite Yankee Stadium; he silenced it, and you could almost hear his bat hit the ground as he strutted towards first base.
It was an out-of-body experience for Anthony and many Red Sox fans witnessing the brief event. And as is the case with most rare occasions like this, Anthony didn’t have much of an explanation for what happened when he was asked about the bat flip following the game.
“It just happened,” Anthony said, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “I don’t even know. I don’t usually do that.”
Story continues below advertisement
Anthony’s manager, Alex Cora, was also without much of an explanation. “First time I’ve seen that,” Cora said, per Cotillo.
The Bat Flip couldn’t have ever been foreshadowed, and now it will never be forgotten. Friday is a brand new day with more baseball on the way. Anthony and the Red Sox must quickly move on from the ecstasy of Thursday’s win and get back to business amid a pivotal series.
Even so, Thursday’s moment might one day be viewed — in hindsight — as one of the earliest signs of transcendence from Anthony.
Story continues below advertisement
