“We were all just shocked”: Sister’s candid reaction captures the whirlwind of Red Sox rookie’s meteoric rise
In the unpredictable world of social media stardom, sometimes the most authentic moments create the biggest waves. That’s exactly what happened to Lia Anthony, who went from relative anonymity to viral sensation faster than her brother Roman’s 497-foot grand slam that launched him to the major leagues.
Lia’s Instagram followers jumped from 3,000 to over 17,400 in the span of just a few days, all because she did what any proud sister would do—she showed up to support her little brother’s dream coming true at Fenway Park.
The Moment That Changed Everything
On Thursday morning, Lia Anthony joined WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” to reflect on all of the attention, and her reaction perfectly encapsulated the surreal nature of instant fame in the digital age. “We were all just shocked by it,” she admitted, her voice carrying the mixture of excitement and bewilderment that comes with unexpected celebrity.
The attention began during Roman’s second-ever game Tuesday night, when Lia appeared at the rookie’s game to witness what would become a historic moment. While Roman was making headlines with his first MLB hit on a 2-RBI double and a game-saving sliding catch in the Red Sox’s 3-1 victory over the Rays, cameras captured Lia’s genuine reactions in the stands—and social media did the rest.
From Family Support to Internet Fame
What makes Lia’s story so compelling isn’t just the numbers—it’s the authenticity. “Congrats to Roman Anthony’s sister in the red. She deserves this,” one person wrote. “Roman Anthony gets his first hit in the show and his sister is trending on Twitter” became the sentiment that echoed across social platforms.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Roman, baseball’s No. 1 prospect and the youngest player in MLB, was living out every young player’s dream. Meanwhile, his sister was experiencing her own unexpected moment in the spotlight, creating a parallel narrative that baseball fans found irresistible.
The Perfect Storm of Viral Fame
Several factors converged to create Lia’s viral moment. First, there was the sheer excitement surrounding Roman’s call-up. Just days after crushing a 497-foot grand slam for Triple-A Worcester—the longest blast in professional baseball to that point in the year—Roman was suddenly in the big leagues, creating maximum anticipation for his debut.
Then there was the family element. Roman’s dad received two phone calls Monday afternoon—first that his son was boarding a bus to Lehigh Valley, then that plans had changed and he was headed to Fenway Park. The rapid-fire nature of the call-up meant the family had barely processed the moment before they were thrust into the Fenway spotlight.
More Than Just a Viral Moment
But Lia’s reaction represents something deeper than typical internet fame. Her genuine shock and excitement captured the pure joy that makes sports compelling. In an era of manufactured moments and calculated social media presence, her authentic response reminded everyone why we love baseball—because at its heart, it’s about family, dreams, and those magical moments when everything comes together.
Anthony received the biggest cheer of all during pregame introductions and then a standing ovation when he came to bat in the second inning, but perhaps the most meaningful reaction came from the family section, where Lia and her mother Lori were experiencing their own overwhelming moment.
The Ripple Effect
The attention has been overwhelming but positive. “And just like that, Lia Anthony went viral” became more than just a social media phenomenon—it became a testament to how sports can create unexpected celebrities and heartwarming stories that transcend the game itself.
For Roman, having his sister’s viral moment run parallel to his own major league debut adds another layer to what’s already a storybook beginning to his career. He went 0-for-4 with an RBI in his debut against Tampa Bay, but bounced back with that crucial first hit that helped seal the victory.
Looking Forward
As Roman continues to establish himself in the majors and Lia navigates her unexpected fame, their story serves as a reminder that behind every professional athlete is a family that has shared in the journey. Sometimes the most genuine reactions come not from the players themselves, but from the loved ones watching from the stands, experiencing every moment with the same intensity and pure emotion that makes sports so compelling.
In a world of calculated social media strategies and manufactured content, Lia Anthony’s shocked reaction to her own viral fame feels refreshingly authentic. She wasn’t trying to become famous—she was just being a proud sister. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the internet needs to see.
The Anthony family’s story is just beginning, but they’ve already given us a perfect example of how sports can create unexpected stars and genuine moments that remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place. In the unpredictable theater of Fenway Park, sometimes the best performances happen in the stands.