Juan Soto may have changed teams, but the New York Yankee fans changed their tune!
The loud chants from the fans at Citi Field during the New York Mets’ debut on home grounds were hard to miss. The Mets fans were loud, but there was an even louder voice, and it was of the New York Yankee fans. Their jeers were loud, vulgar, and deeply personal. The Bronx payback was ice-cold and unfiltered.
But at this point, was this surprising? Just last year, Juan Soto was a postseason hero. He batted .288, hitting 41 home runs and driving in 109 runs. He managed to get the New York Yankees to the World Series. A place that’s been aloof from them for decades. He was their guy, the one the fans trusted who could take them all the way. But then came the $765 curveball.
Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets, and all the cheerful fans’ faith was flipped. They didn’t take the rejection lightly, and it was on full display on Mets’ debut at Citi Field. Soto told NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch, “They definitely hate me over there.” This sounds casual, but it does land hard. Yankee fans are not feeling bad; they feel betrayed.
More so after the reports of how Juan Soto accepted a suite, the best tickets to the game, and more from Steve Cohen. For fans, Soto wants to not wear pinstripes, and just for some millions, leaving the Bronx to move crosstown is a betrayal. More so for fans, his saying, ”New York is a Mets town”—is something they will not forget.
Despite all the chaos, Juan Soto didn’t let the pressure shine through. He helped the New York Mets win over the Blue Jays 5-0. Clay Holmes, Soto’s former teammate and now Mets reliever, summed Soto up the best: “This stuff doesn’t faze Juan.” But Soto sure would care when he faces the Yankee crowd in their stadium in the Bronx. This was just a trailer; the real picture can get ugly.
Juan Soto didn’t betray the Bronx—he just chose himself
After Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets, the first person he called was not his agent. It was Aaron Judge. Soto revealed, “He’s a good man, a good person. When I signed (with the Mets), the first thing we did was get on the phone and talk about it. He told me I made the right decision for my family and that he was happy for me. That’s what a real friend says.” That moment, that blessing, was everything, and it assured him. Because make no mistake, leaving the Yankees and Aaron Judge to go and start anew isn’t easy.
But yes, it was strictly business. And the Mets made Soto the richest player in the history of the sport— what more could he ask? Plus, there he gets to be more than a wingman; he gets to be the face of the franchise. So financially and emotionally, it was great. As far as facing the New York Yankee fans at their stadium, he won’t be rattled. Clay Holmes revealed, “I don’t think people on the outside realize what a confident, charismatic person Juan is. I see the same person here with the Mets as I saw with the Yankees. That stuff doesn’t bother him.” And as far as now, it seems he needs that armor up.
Now, Pete Alonso is also in his form, and his two-run homer in the first inning off Kevin Gausman just set the tone. Soto had Judge for protection, and now he doesn’t, but he is confident in Alonso. “It’s great to have a guy hitting behind you when he’s hot; it’s really good protection. That gives me a chance to see more pitches around the strike zone and do more damage.” Well, given that Alonso is giving his best, exciting things are sure to come.
But yes, indeed, the Mets should be able to score. But the problem lies in their pitching, and it might be one of the only reasons they don’t reach the final series. That’s the only gamble Soto made; he chose money but also a tougher path.
What do you think about Soto’s first outing in Citi Field? Let us know!
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