With two on and two out and in the first inning of his second major league game, Roman Anthony sliced a double into the left field corner for a two-run double, his first hit in the Major Leagues.
Anthony became the third Red Sox player to record his first hit this season, joining fellow rookies Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer.
It’s a rite of passage. Getting called up is a dream fulfilled. Getting into a game is special. But getting a hit in the majors means that on at least on pitch in one at-bat, they succeed as a professional baseball player.
Watching the rookies have their moments has made their veteran Red Sox teammates nostalgic for their own first hits.
“I knew I was facing Gerrit Cole,” Jarren Duran said about his July 17, 2021 MLB debut. “He was probably going to challenge with a fastball because he throws really hard. I was either going to swing first pitch and hit a fastball or look like a fool on a breaking ball.”
Rob Refsnyer was listening.
“First pitch?” he asked. “That’s sick.”
Cole came with the fastball and Duran singled up the middle.
Refsnyder’s own first hit came at Fenway, but as a New York Yankee.
“It was off Tommy Layne here. It was my second game. I was starting to press a little bit,” said Refsnyder. “It was on a sinker low and away. I think it was Brock Holt who jumped up and almost caught it. It’s hard not to think of it. It’s one of those distinct memories of your life.”
His first home run came two innings later off of Alexei Ogando in the ninth.
Romy Gonzalez hadn’t thought about his first hit in a while, but smiled at the memory.
“In Oakland off Andrew Chafin, single to right,” he said. “It so cool to be able to share this experience with these guys.”
Nobody had a better debut than Trevor Story. Then a shortstop for the Rockies in 2016, he was the talk of baseball for the hot start he had to his career.
That began on Opening Day. Against Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke, he hit a three-run home run in the top of the third and then hit another home run an inning later.
“I was just so nervous. So excited. All my family was there. In my first at-bat, I toe-tapped because I was so early,” Story said, smiling. “That was a great day for me and my family. It’s always good to reminisce on those times. Everything is so new. Everything feels so big. You’re just trying to survive.”
His dad has the ball.
“The Rockies ran it down. I think I gave away a bat for it,” he said.
Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) high fives teammate Jorge De La Rosa (29) after hitting his first career home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, April 4, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)AP
Story has enjoyed watching his young teammates.
“Marcelo got his first home run at Yankee Stadium. That’s a pretty sick place to get it,” Story said. “All the firsts are amazing and fun. Those guys are going to have a lot of them.”
Here’s how each current member of the Red Sox notched his first hit:
Triston Casas
Sept 4, 2022 vs. Rangers — singled to short in the bottom of the fifth off John King.
Kristian Campbell
March 27, 2025 vs. Rangers — Singled to third in game-winning rally in the ninth off Luke Jackson.
Carlos Narváez
July 20, 2024 (with Yankees) vs. Rays —As a defensive replacement for Austin Wells, he singled to right off Kevin Kelly.
Trevor Story
April 4, 2016 (with Rockies) vs. Diamondbacks — Hit a three-run home run to deep right off Zack Greinke in the top of the third. He hit his second an inning later.
Alex Bregman
July 31, 2016 (with Astros) vs. Tigers -Singled to center off Mike Pelfrey in the top of the third.
Jarren Duran
July 17, 2021 vs. Yankees — Singled to center in the top of the second inning of his first game against Gerrit Cole.
Ceddanne Rafaela
Aug. 28. 2023 vs. Astros — In his first game, as a defensive replacement in the eighth he hit a single to right off of Jose Urquidy.
Wilyer Abreu
Aug. 22, 2023 vs. Astros — As a defensive replacement for Alex Verdugo in the fourth, he doubled off Kendall Graveman to right center in the top of the seventh.
Rafael Devers
July 26, 2017 vs. Mariners— Led off third in with a 427-foot home run off Andrew Moore to deep center at Safeco Field.
Abraham Toro
Aug. 23, 2019 (with Astros) vs. Angels —Has an infield single to second in the fourth off Jose Suarez.
Romy Gonzalez
Sept. 8, 2021 (with White Sox) at A’s —Singled to right in the ninth, pinch-hitting for Gavin Sheets.
Rob Refsnyder
July 12, 2015 (with Yankees) at Fenway —Singled off Tommy Layne leading off the seventh, then hit a two-run homer off of Alexei Ogando in the ninth.
Connor Wong
June 26, 2021 vs. Yankees — Singled to right off Jordan Montgomery in the bottom of the second.
Marcelo Mayer
May 25, 2025 vs. Orioles – singled off Dean Kremer leading off the bottom of the second.
Lucas Giolito
July 24, 2016 (with Nationals) vs. Padres– singled off Christian Friedrich leading off the bottom of the third.
Walker Buehler
May 4, 2018 vs. Padres — singled off Adam Cimber. The ball hit baserunner Alex Verdugo, which counts as a hit even though the ball is dead.
David Hamilton
June 22, 2023 vs. Rays— In his second career game, he singled to left off of Joe Ryan in the eighth.
