Furious Yankees fans turned their backs on Juan Soto and showered him in boos on his first return to the Bronx with the Mets on Friday night.
Soto, a four-time All-Star, starred for the Yankees last season as the team reached the World Series but bolted across town in the winter to sign a mammoth $765million contract with their New York rivals.
And when he returned to Yankee Stadium for the very first time, the 26-year-old’s introduction to the home crowd sparked a furious reaction before the game.
Yankees fans booed even more ferociously when Soto stepped up to bat second in the Mets’ first inning, and he responded by sarcastically tipping his hat to salute his old fanbase.
After making it to second base, the Mets were later struck out for a third time before Soto took up a position on right field.
As he lined up ready for the Yankees to bat, hundreds of home fans in the stands turned their backs on him in a moment which quickly went viral.
Juan Soto was left stunned after New York Yankees fans turned their backs on him Friday night
A stunned Soto could be seen looking up to the stands in astonishment before pointing to the crowd and smiling.
And it ended up proving a miserable return to Yankee Stadium for the slugger, who endured a quiet night in a 6-2 defeat for the Mets.
Soto had three walks – all delivered by Carlos Rodon – as well as a groundout and a flyout against the Yankees.
Heading into Friday night’s showdown with his ex-team, he didn’t seem overly concerned with the negative reaction he’s set to face.
‘I don’t mind,’ he told reporters on Wednesday night.
He has started a little slowly in Queens, slashing a .255/.380/.465 line to go along with eight home runs in 43 games.
However, Soto has picked things up so far in May, producing a 1.077 OPS in 12 games as he gears up for a three-game series against the Yankees.
‘He just is the same guy regardless of what the moment is, and he’s very consistent in his preparation,’ Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said, via The Athletic.
Soto, who played up to the crowd in the Bronx, endured a miserable night as the Mets lost 6-2
‘He enjoys the moment. He also doesn’t make more of it than it is, and he understands he’s got to keep himself focused and centered. And I think he does a very good job of that.’
Both the Mets and Yankees have thrived this season after Soto’s bombshell offseason move.
Without Soto, the reigning AL pennant winners haven’t skipped a beat, as they lead the AL East with a 25-18 record.
Aaron Judge has taken his game to even more ridiculous heights, as he’s batting .412 with 15 home runs thus far.
The Mets, though, have done even better, with their 28-16 record just a half game back of the Dodgers.
Soto was rested on Wednesday night as the Mets lost to the Pirates, but he’ll certainly be in the lineup when the Subway Series begins on Friday.
