The Subway Series this past weekend, concluding with an 8-2 Yankees win on Sunday, May 18, 2025, brought Juan Soto back to Yankee Stadium for the first time since his offseason move to the New York Mets. Soto, who played a pivotal role in the Yankees’ 2024 World Series run with a .288 average, 44 homers, and 109 RBIs, faced a mixed reception—boos rained down during his first at-bat on Friday, though he tipped his helmet to the crowd in acknowledgment. “I was ready for it,” Soto told ESPN, recognizing the passionate Yankees fans’ hurt feelings after his departure. “They’re going to do the best for their team.”
Yankees captain Aaron Judge, who formed a dynamic duo with Soto in 2024, shared a brief but heartfelt exchange with his former teammate before Sunday’s game. “Just said hello to him, I hadn’t seen him all series,” Judge told SNY Yankees. “I said, ‘Hey man, you’re the best in the game… keep playing your game.’ It was good to see him.” Judge noted the Yankees’ strategy to limit Soto’s impact, walking him three times over the series and holding him to a 1-for-8 performance with no RBIs, as seen in the sports data card. Despite the loss, Soto expressed mutual respect, saying, “I’m just happy to see those guys doing well… They have a lot of respect for me, and I have a lot for them.”
Soto’s overall stats against the Yankees in his career show his ability to do damage—hitting .256 with 5 homers and 11 RBIs in 12 games—but this series was a struggle, as he admitted to ESPN, “It sucks that we lost the game, but we have two more to win the series.” The Mets dropped two of three, with Soto’s lone hit coming on Saturday, and his focus remained professional despite the emotional backdrop. “It’s just another game,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to the task at hand over the fans’ reaction.
As the Mets (26-19) head to Texas for a three-game series against the Rangers (18-24) starting Tuesday, May 20, at 8:05 PM ET on SNY, Soto’s comments reflect a player at peace with his decision to join the Mets while cherishing his time in the Bronx. Judge’s words and Soto’s response highlight a bond that transcends team loyalties, even as fans grapple with his departure. With the Mets still in the thick of the NL East race, Soto’s looking to regroup and make an impact in Arlington, leaving the Subway Series drama behind.
