The excitement surrounding 21-year-old prospect Anthony is palpable, particularly after his debut on Monday night against the Rays. Jim Holzman, owner of Ace Ticket, reported a dramatic increase in ticket sales, moving 500 tickets between 4 and 6 PM following the announcement of Anthony’s call-up. This surge in demand is akin to what one might expect during playoff clinches. Holzman noted that prior to the news, tickets were substantially discounted, marking a stark contrast to the current enthusiasm. He recalled a similar spike in interest when David Ortiz announced his retirement, indicating that such occurrences are rare in his 40 years of experience.
The momentum continued into the week, with ticket purchases for the second and third games of the homestand more than doubling and tripling, respectively. The upcoming series against the Yankees further fuels interest, especially after the Red Sox secured two wins in their recent series against them.
In addition to ticket sales, the broadcast of Anthony’s debut achieved record-breaking viewership on NESN’s streaming platform, NESN 360. The unique audience for this live event was 18 percent higher than the previous record, underscoring the excitement surrounding the young player.
Business owners are also keen to capitalize on the hype. Bobby D’Angelo, of 47 Brand, has placed a hefty order for Anthony jerseys and T-shirts, anticipating high demand. However, he admits to exercising caution in making such orders, noting that Anthony’s recent uniform number change from 48 to 19 garnered mixed reactions. Despite this, D’Angelo remains optimistic, confident that Anthony’s popularity will rival that of merchandise leader Jarren Duran.
Holzman draws comparisons to another young athlete, highlighting Anthony’s potential to captivate the audience much like Mookie Betts did in the past. With enthusiasm at a peak and the promise of Anthony’s talent, the future looks bright for both the Red Sox and their fans.
This vibrant narrative illustrates the positive possibilities when a rising star captures the imagination of a community, generating excitement not only on the field but also within local businesses and the fan base.