The Subway Series is one of the most iconic rivalries in sports. It was part of MLB’s Rivalry Weekend and received the nod to be ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball game. There is always much anticipation going into the Subway Series, as the Yankees and Mets have a lot of history and compete for dominance in the Big Apple. This time was no different, as both New York teams came into it with solid records. But the storyline for this series was less about the two teams and more about one player.
Juan Soto has been a superstar ever since he debuted in 2018. He had an amazing power tool but was also known for his incredible eye at the plate, putting him near the top of the league in walks almost every year. He was a major contributor to the Washington Nationals’ World Series win in 2019, and some even predicted that he’d be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. After multiple successful seasons with the Nationals, he was traded to the Padres in a blockbuster move at the 2022 trade deadline. His production slowed with San Diego, but he was still an All-Star in 2023. He was then traded to the Yankees the following winter and became their everyday right fielder during the 2024 season.
Soto’s career had a resurgence with the Yankees, hitting .288 with 41 home runs. He and Aaron Judge were a dynamic duo in the Yankees lineup, and the two led the team to the playoffs, where they made a World Series appearance. They came up short to the Dodgers, marked by a disastrous fifth inning in Game 5. This certainly left a bad taste in Soto’s mouth as he entered free agency that offseason. The sweepstakes for Soto heated up over the winter, and both the Yankees and Mets were leading contenders. After offering similar long-term contracts, Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets.
Last weekend’s series was the first time Soto returned to Yankee Stadium after signing with his former team’s crosstown rival. He was seen visiting and chatting with his old teammates during batting practice and met Aaron Judge briefly in the outfield during warmups. While there appeared to be no hard feelings between Soto and the Yankees players, the fans had a different opinion. Soto was booed enthusiastically by Yankees fans, and as he ran out to right field, the Bleacher Creatures turned their backs to him in a huge show of disapproval. To Soto’s credit, he maintained his composure and was very professional about the ordeal, tipping his helmet and acknowledging the fans who once cheered for him so enthusiastically.
Much to the joy of Yankees fans, Soto struggled through the three-game set, going 1-for-10. His replacement, on the other hand, Cody Bellinger, went 7-for-11 with two home runs, including an eighth-inning grand slam on Sunday that sealed the game for the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees ended up winning the series 2-1, but the season series is still up for grabs, as the two teams will meet again in July for their last regular-season series of the year. The way both teams are playing, though, it’s possible they will meet again in October for a Subway Series World Series. Soto would then be thrust even further into the spotlight as he looks to win the Fall Classic with his new team.
