How Former Red Sox MVP Responded To Roman Anthony Wearing His Number

Roman Anthony has a high bar to match as a Boston Red Sox rookie wearing No. 19.

After donning No. 48 during Monday’s MLB debut, Anthony switched to No. 19 before his second game. The star outfield prospect reverted to the uniform number he wore in Triple-A last season.

No. 19 has a notable place in Red Sox lore. Fred Lynn wore it throughout his stellar run with the organization.

Lynn has no hard feelings about Boston redistributing the number. The 73-year-old sent a classy message to Anthony on social media.

“The no. 19 was good for me,” Lynn wrote on Tuesday. “Hoping it’s good for Roman, too.”

For all the hype surrounding Anthony’s arrival, nobody should expect him to replicate Lynn’s debut.

In 1975, Lynn became the first player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. The center fielder batted .331/.401/.566 with 21 home runs, 103 runs and 105 RBI in 145 games.

Lynn received All-Star recognition in each of his six seasons with the Red Sox. He slashed .308/.383/.520 with four Gold Gloves and the 1979 batting title before getting traded to the California Angels in 1981.

Several notable Red Sox players have used No. 19 since Lynn. Josh Beckett graced it while leading Boston to two World Series titles, including a dominant 2007 postseason. All-Star relief pitcher Koji Uehara and Gold Glove outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. also wore No. 19 in Boston.

Anthony will aim to uphold No. 19’s distinguished legacy. Perhaps the change brought him luck, as the 21-year-old registered his first career hit on Tuesday night.