New York – Mets fans had been eagerly awaiting this moment, while Yankees supporters braced themselves with anxiety. Juan Soto stepped up at the bottom of the first inning on Friday to halt the Yankees’ surge and ignite excitement at Citi Field. Earlier in the inning, Yankees outfielders Judge, Jackson, Dominguez, and Aaron launched back-to-back home runs, putting the Mets down by two runs. However, Soto quickly diminished that lead with a powerful swing.
Ron Darling told the SNY broadcast, “If you launch one from here, this place goes wild.” And he was absolutely right.
Soto capitalized on Marcus Stroman’s mistake—a slow 89 mph cutter tossed right into his preferred hitting zone—sending a two-run homer to left field. The stadium exploded with cheers, giving Soto a standing ovation during an already intense Game 1 of the Metro Series. Fireworks flew early on the Fourth of July, and this 21st home run for Soto’s team was just the kickoff. Throughout the afternoon, the Mets’ injured but resilient pitching lineup managed 27 outs, and Soto’s Mets edged the Yankees 6-5 at Citi Field.
“I feel better now,” Soto said. “The ball looks really good. You get your opportunity, swing the bat, and try to make an impact every time.”
The Yankees faced their fifth consecutive loss, stung all the more by Soto—a player they consider “the one that got away”—a formidable hitter who turned the early game around. Stroman acknowledged, “He’s one of the best for a reason. He’s locked in right now and doing everything, making it tough.”
Seven months ago, Soto left the Yankees to sign the richest contract in professional sports history with the Mets. This move reignited a fierce Crosstown rivalry that hadn’t seen a player switch sides since the 1990s with Doc Gooden and David Cone. But Soto’s departure from the Bronx was unprecedented—not only leaving the Yankees but committing the rest of his career to a rival New York franchise, rather than solidifying his legacy with the Yankees at Monument Park.
After leading the Yankees to their first World Series appearance in 15 years, Soto now inflicts a recurring sting on Yankees fans each season. His electrifying performance on Friday afternoon may be just the beginning of many such moments.
“Juan had a fantastic day,” said Jeff McNeill. “That home run was huge. That’s who he is. It’s exciting to watch, and I feel like he’s going to do something special every time he steps up to the plate.”
Back in December, when news of Soto’s $765 million, 15-year contract broke, all of baseball in New York wondered: When will the next Subway Series happen? Instead of forming one of the most feared batting duos alongside Judge, the two overlap as rivals who will clash for years to come. Soto needed months to find his form, unlike Judge, who looked ready for the American League MVP early in the season.
As the latest and most vilified Yankee defector, Soto faced relentless boos when the Mets played at Yankee Stadium in May. But instead of delivering on the field, most of the noise came from the stands. Soto’s early games there were a struggle, but advanced metrics suggested he was simply unlucky and that good results would come if he kept up his approach.
In a scorching June, Soto hit .322 with a 1.196 OPS, 11 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 26 walks. His performance reached new heights Friday at Citi Field, appearing nearly unbeatable at the plate.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, “Every time he’s up, you feel good about your chances. When he’s on base and you keep turning the lineup over, that’s pretty special. It’s exactly what you want for a game like this—the Subway Series, with packed houses and fierce fanbases. I’m glad he delivered today.”
Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball for Fox Sports. Originally a Mets beat reporter for the New York Daily News, she grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens.
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Fan Take: Juan Soto’s mastery over his former team not only adds thrilling drama to the Mets-Yankees rivalry but also signifies a new era where player loyalty and state-of-the-art contracts reshape baseball’s historic matchups. This story underscores how superstar movements can redefine rivalries, heightening the excitement and stakes for fans across the sport.
