Bogaerts Empathizes with Young Star Anthony

Red Sox veteran reflects on his own rise to stardom at a young age.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:10am

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action of a baseball game, conceptually illustrating the personal and professional growth required for young stars to succeed at the highest level.A veteran shortstop's reflections on the unique challenges faced by a rising young star offer a glimpse into the personal growth required to thrive under the spotlight of major league stardom.Boston Today

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, a veteran All-Star player, says he can relate to the experiences of young baseball phenom Roman Anthony, who has quickly become one of the sport's brightest young stars. Bogaerts, who also burst onto the scene as a teenager, understands the challenges and pressures that come with achieving that level of success at such a young age.

Why it matters

Bogaerts' comments provide insight into the unique challenges faced by prodigious young talents like Anthony as they navigate the demands of major league stardom at a formative stage of their careers. His perspective offers a window into the personal and professional growth required to thrive under that level of scrutiny.

The details

Bogaerts, now 33 years old, made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2013 at the age of 20. He quickly established himself as one of the game's rising stars, making the All-Star team four times and helping the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018. The 24-year-old Anthony, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has followed a similar trajectory, becoming an All-Star in just his third MLB season.

  • Xander Bogaerts made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 at the age of 20.
  • Roman Anthony, now 24 years old, made the MLB All-Star team in just his third season.

The players

Xander Bogaerts

A four-time MLB All-Star shortstop who has played for the Boston Red Sox since 2013, helping the team win the World Series in 2018.

Roman Anthony

A 24-year-old outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who has quickly become one of the brightest young stars in Major League Baseball, making the All-Star team in just his third season.

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What they’re saying

“I know what it's like to be in his shoes, to be that young and have that much success. It's not easy, but he's handling it really well.”

— Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox Shortstop

The takeaway

Xander Bogaerts' ability to empathize with the experiences of young stars like Roman Anthony demonstrates the value of veteran leadership and mentorship in professional sports, as seasoned players can provide invaluable perspective and support to help the next generation navigate the unique challenges of superstardom.