Juan Soto Receives Championship Ring from Yankees Before Mets Game

NEW YORK — Hours before the New York Mets faced off against the Yankees on Friday, Juan Soto received a special gift from his former team. The $765 million Mets outfielder was presented with a 2024 American League Championship ring as he took batting practice at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone walked through a tunnel carrying a Yankees shopping bag containing the ring for Soto, who played a pivotal role in the Yankees’ championship run last season. Soto met Boone outside the clubhouse, where they exchanged friendly words and hugs before he opened the box to admire his ring.

Boone’s gesture was more personal than public, as the fans at Yankee Stadium are not particularly fond of Soto since his transition to the rival Mets. Historically, fans tend to disregard achievements that do not culminate in championships, especially in the case of Soto, who spent only one season with the Yankees.

Clarke Schmidt, a Yankees starter, reflected on Soto’s impact during his season with the team. “The Soto homer was probably the greatest moment of my career as a baseball player,” Schmidt said, recalling the exhilarating moment Soto celebrated after hitting a home run during the playoffs.

Although Soto’s time with the Yankees was brief, it marked a significant chapter in the team’s recent history, ending with a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. Soto’s subsequent move to the Mets this past December for one of the most lucrative deals in sports has created waves in New York baseball.

Longtime Mets radio announcer Howie Rose noted that team owner Steve Cohen‘s acquisition of the team was aimed at elevating the Mets to compete head-to-head with the Yankees. “They’re going to have to win sooner or later — win it all,” Rose said. “Then the dialogue becomes even more evolved and nuanced.”

Soto’s enormous contract, valued at $51 million per season, is a record and may exceed $800 million over its duration. However, the financial appeal is only part of the reason Soto chose the Mets. Carlos Beltrán, who experienced similar success with the Mets, emphasized that the current Mets management is dedicated to building a competitive team.

Beltrán pointed out that while historical success favors the Yankees, the Mets are now making strides in that direction. “The ownership now has a lot of passion, has a lot of commitment, not only to the players but also the families,” Beltrán said.

As the Yankees look to maintain their winning record, currently at 26-18, the Mets have also proven formidable, holding a record of 28-17. The rivalry is fierce, and both teams appear committed to competing at the highest level.

“This team should be good for years to come because of ownership and its commitment,” Rose added, hinting that the landscape of New York baseball might be shifting. For now, while Yankees fans remain confident in their team’s performance, Soto’s presence on the Mets signals a new era that will shape the future of baseball in New York.

Following the ring presentation, Soto expressed his appreciation by saying, “I’m just happy to see those guys and see them doing well. They have a lot of respect for me, and I have a lot of respect for them.”