SAD NEWS: New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes jr takes leave from team after his….
Juan Soto soaked in the fan fervor on his first day in pinstripes and wound up flinging his bat and helmet in response to his futility.
“Just frustration that comes out,” Soto said after the New York Yankees lost 3-0 to the Toronto Blue Jays in their home opener Friday. “You want to do so (many) things for this fan base and get your team going, and you have the chance to do it and couldn’t get it done. It really gets you mad. And at the end of the day, that’s my fault, shouldn’t do that, but things happen.”
Soto went 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts, vexed by the wide strike zone of plate umpire Edwin Jiménez. Still, it was a memorable afternoon for the 25-year-old outfielder.
New York acquired the three-time All-Star from San Diego in December and is assured of Soto for only one season.
He can become a free agent this fall and is expected to command a huge deal after turning down a $440 million, 15-year offer from Washington two years ago, which promoted the Nationals to trade him to the Padres.
Soto didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve but rather on his feet. His customized cleats had “Soto (Heart) NY” written on them along with the city’s skyline and symbols for the B and 4 trains that bring fans to the ballpark.
He responded to the first-inning Roll Call of the Bleacher Creatures by turning to the right field seats, raising both arms in tribute, taking a deep bow and then tapping his heart with his glove.
