Romy Gonzalez says Red Sox playoff-clinching, walk-off win sums up 2025 season

BOSTON — Romy Gonzalez waited a few feet before second base, watching as Tigers centerfielder Parker Meadows tried to steal the moment.

When Meadows leapt up against the wall in straightaway center, but couldn’t grab it, the Red Sox second baseman took off, launching himself off second base and motored toward third.

“Once that ball hit off the wall. I’m like ‘I gotta get to home,’” Gonzalez said.

As he turned the corner, passing Kyle Hudson waving him home, Gonzalez could see the whole moment laid out before him.

His teammates were pouring out of the Red Sox dugout, the crowd of 37,052, down the first base line was already celebrating.

Gonzalez slowed up as he approached the plate. He didn’t want to just run over it. This was a time for planting his foot directly.

So he pulled his helmet off with his left hand and as he stomped his right cleat on the plate, the Fenway Park lights did their victory dance, “Dirty Water” erupted from the speakers, and the Red Sox became a playoff team for the first time since 2021. He then turned and joined the green wave smothering Rafaela on third base.

“Unbelievable. I felt the roar of the crowd. It was almost like slow motion,” said Gonzalez, wiping the mixture of beer, champagne and sweat from his face."

Gonzalez had a growing feeling the night was going to be special.

After being down 3-0 early, they rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth. But Justyn-Henry Malloy hit a leadoff double to start the ninth against Aroldis Chapman. After pinch runner Zack McKinstry moved to third on a ground out, Chapman struck out Wenceel Perez and Spencer Torkelson, setting the stage.

“Chappy with a guy on third and less than two outs, striking out the side, that gave us that momentum,” Gonzalez said.

After Masataka Yoshida grounded out, Gonzalez stroked a single to center on a changeup and waited for Rafaela to do his thing.

“This sums up our season. We faced a lot of adversity throughout the year,” Gonzalez said. “We were down 3-0 to a really good ball club. Rafa had a huge hit, something he’s been doing all year. This defines who we are.”

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