The Yankees’ Fury Against Juan Soto in the Subway Series
The atmosphere in Yankee Stadium was boiling. Twenty minutes before the first pitch of Game 1 of the 2025 Subway Series, the pent-up animosity erupted when Juan Soto, wearing a Mets jersey, came out to warm up in center field. The cry of “F— Juan Soto!” echoed from the stands, accompanied by deafening boos.
Soto, true to form, did not respond directly. However, he made a subtle gesture, touching the visor of his cap in the direction of the stands. This was the most anticipated reunion between the teams, possibly since the 2000 World Series, fueled by Soto’s decision to join the Mets.
Marc Chalpin, a loyal follower, anticipated the reaction. Although he considered the phrase “¡F— Juan Soto!” vulgar and uncreative, he knew it was inevitable. Chalpin, in charge of leading the famous “Roll Call” of the Bleacher Creatures since 2016, did not believe that Soto deserved such hostility, given that he only played one season with the Yankees and did not win any championship.
You’ll hear it from those who aren’t regulars, but not from us.
Marc Chalpin
Daniel Cagan, a Los Angeles Yankees fanatic, was in the city for work and attended the game. Wearing a Dellin Betances jersey, he predicted the chaos to come. Soto’s decision to choose the Mets turned the 2024 pleas of “Re-sign Soto!” into repeated offensive chants during the game.
The situation reflected the change of roles: the Yankees, accustomed to signing stars, saw how Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets, surpassed their offer with a 15-year, $765 million contract for Soto. The agreement included exclusive benefits such as a luxury suite and personal security.
James Roina, another Yankees fan, expressed his disappointment, wearing a custom Soto jersey with the word “SELLOUT”. Some Mets fans, proud of their number 22 jersey, mingled with the Yankees fans. The chants of “F— Juan Soto!” and obscene gestures were constant.
Chalpin explained that, although Soto had a good year with the Yankees, he was not a legend. He preferred coldness: “I don’t wish him any harm, but I don’t wish him success either.” As a result, the Bleacher Creatures turned their backs on Soto when he went out to the outfield for the first time, a gesture that the player did not notice.
Joe Lopez, a Yankees fan since 1987, understood Soto’s decision, arguing that the player was seeking maximum economic benefit. The “MVP” chants for Aaron Judge and “We have Grisham!” also resonated in the stadium. Fans also shouted “You can’t field!” and “Soto, greedy!”.
Soto tried to ignore the provocations, but responded with a smile and a wave to the crowd before his first at-bat. In the eighth inning, after a shout of “You miss Judge!”, Soto seemed to draw a heart towards the stands. After making the last out, he threw the ball into the stands, which drew a new ovation.
We finally did it. I knew the “F-him” chants were coming. We had to do something different.
Milton Ousland
Ousland, present in the stands since the 1980s, recalled that Friday’s reaction would have been more discreet in the past. At one point in the game, both fan bases briefly united to celebrate the New York Knicks’ triumph in the Eastern Conference semifinals, before returning to the rivalry. Soto, who finished the game hitless in two at-bats, with three walks, made the last out in the Yankees’ 6-2 victory.
