Juan Soto greeted with standing jeer in Yankee Stadium return, then touches heart with helmet

NEW YORK (AP) — Greeted by a rare standing jeer in his return to Yankee Stadium, Juan Soto stepped out of the batter's box, took off his helmet, tipped it to the crowd and touched it against his heart.

Joking around in the Mets dugout, teammates suggested the animated response.

“I just did it," Soto recalled after the game. "The guys loved it.”

After spurning the Steinbrenner family's fortune for the even more immense money of Mets owner Steve Cohen, Soto went 0 for 2 with three walks in a 6-2 Subway Series loss on Friday night, his first game back in the Bronx since last fall's World Series-ending loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When Soto jogged to right field for the bottom of the first wearing bright orange wristbands, many of the Bleacher Creatures turned their backs on him. Some fans chanted “Overrated!”

After Soto caught Cody Bellinger’s inning-ending flyout in the eighth and tossed the ball in the seats, a fan threw it right back onto the field, prompting cheers.

“To be expected,” said Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, who walked Soto three times.

Soto made a weak three-hop throw home on Anthony Volpe’s 243-foot sacrifice fly in a four-run third, then scored after his second walk, on Brandon Nimmo’s single in the fourth.

Soto had laughed and smiled when the onslaught began. A 26-year-old four-time All-Star, Soto thought it was the worst booing he's been subjected to.

“You’ve got to embrace it,” Soto said. “At the end of the day, whatever they give you, it is what it is. You got to be a professional. You got to take it as a man. I was just enjoying the moment.”

Both teams lead their divisions after the first of six Subway Series matchups this season, the Yankees atop the AL East at 26-18 and the Mets first in the NL East at 28-17.

Yankees fans had wanted Soto to remain in their lineup, hitting second ahead of Aaron Judge. New York acquired Soto from San Diego in December 2023 and he helped them reach the World Series for the first time since 2009. Then he left the Bronx as a free agent after one season in pinstripes for a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets, a team with two World Series titles to the Yankees’ 27.

Soto turned down a $760 million, 16-year offer from the Yankees, feeling more appreciated when Cohen included personal security for the outfielder and his family, free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets.

Yankees fans had been waiting since December to let Soto hear their thoughts.

“It was loud,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, a former Yankees coach. “That’s what makes this place a unique place, too.. I thought they were very respectful.”

Soto hit an inning-ending groundout against Mark Leiter Jr. in the seventh and a game-ending flyout off Luke Weaver that stranded two runners. Cohen had left his second-row seat behind the plate by the seventh inning.

Hours earlier, Soto spoke with former teammates and manager Aaron Boone during batting practice. He said they were “showing the love.”

“It was a pretty great environment,” Boone said. “Certainly one of those nights where you can really feel the energy in the building.”

Mendoza had spoken to Soto about the return earlier this week.

“Embrace it,” the manager told him. “Try to enjoy it, every second of it, and just be yourself.”

Soto entered with a .255 batting average, eight homers, 20 RBIs and an .845 OPS in 43 games, down from a .313 average, nine homers, 34 RBIs and a .947 OPS through the same number of games last year.

He hit .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks last season, batting second in the order ahead of Judge in a 21st century version of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Soto hit a go-ahead homer in the AL Championship Series opener against Cleveland and a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the 10th inning that won the pennant against the Guardians in Game 5.

“Juan obviously was only here for a year, but what he was able to do and what he meant for the team last year was huge,” said pitcher Clay Holmes, who followed Soto from the Bronx to Queens. “He’s across town. There’s people that probably don’t like that.”

Soto received his first boos about 1 hour, 40 minutes before the first pitch, when he went to right field during batting practice, cap backward in the style of Ken Griffey Jr.

“They boo you because something happened,” Soto said. “I liked it a little bit.”

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Fans react as New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) makes his way to right field during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto acknowledges the reaction of the crowd as he steps to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto acknowledges the reaction of the crowd as he steps to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto, center, talks with New York Yankees' Jorbit Vivas before a baseball game Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto, right, talks with New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. before a baseball game Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto greets someone on the field before a baseball against the New York Yankees game Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets' Juan Soto greets fans before a baseball game against the New York Yankees Friday, May 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The massive military parade commemorating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, which coincides with President Donald Trump ’s 79th birthday is being staged Saturday in Washington, D.C. The event is expected to include about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, as well as possibly 200,000 attendees and heightened security to match.

Opponents of the president’s agenda are simultaneously rallying in hundreds of cities nationwide at “No Kings” protests following days of nationwide demonstrations against federal immigration raids, including in Los Angeles, where Trump deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

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Many elected officials have urged protesters at the “No Kings” demonstrations to be peaceful, and warned that they will show no tolerance for violence, destruction or activities such as blocking roadways.

In Philadelphia, site of the flagship “No Kings” march and rally for Saturday’s nationwide demonstration, the city’s top prosecutor had a warning for federal agents as well.

“ICE agents going beyond their legal rights … killing, assaulting, illegally handling people in violation of the law, denying them their due process in a way that constitutes a crime under the laws of Pennsylvania, you will be prosecuted,” District Attorney Larry Krasner told a news conference Thursday.

Krasner is a leading progressive prosecutor whose police accountability efforts have made him a prominent campaign trail target in Pennsylvania for Trump and other Republicans.

A survey published this week finds that U.S. adults are more likely to approve than disapprove of Trump’s decision to hold the military parade — The AP-NORC poll found that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults “somewhat” or “strongly” approve of the parade, while about 3 in 10 “somewhat” or “strongly” disapprove.

But about 6 in 10 Americans surveyed said the parade is “not a good use” of government money — including the vast majority of people, 78%, who neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Officials have said the display of military force will cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars.

▶ Read more about the AP-NORC Poll on Trump’s military parade

It’s a festive atmosphere in the shadow of the Georgia state capitol, where the American Civil Liberties Union is handing out blue wristbands to keep count of the crowd in Liberty Plaza. Organizers said the plaza already reached its capacity of 5,000 people.

Many of the “No Kings” demonstrators are carrying American flags. It’s a diverse crowd, mostly people in their 50s or older, and some families with children.

One woman is carrying a sign saying “when cruelty becomes normal, compassion looks radical.” Taylar W. — she didn’t want her full last name used — said “there’s just so much going on in this country that’s not OK, and if no one speaks up about it, who will?”

A day ahead of the military parade in Washington, about 60 veterans and family members were arrested on Friday after authorities said they crossed a police line.

Organizers with Veterans for Peace said they were planning to hold a sit-in at the U.S. Capitol in protest of the presence of military members on the nation’s streets. That includes for Saturday’s military parade, as well as National Guard and active-duty Marines in Los Angeles.

Police say participants were arrested after they crossed a perimeter of bike racks intended to keep them away from the U.S. Capitol.

The tanks are staged and ready to roll. Fencing and barriers are up. Protective metal plating has been laid out on Washington’s streets.

And more than 6,000 troops are poised to march near the National Mall to honor the Army’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, which happens to be President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

One big unknown: Rain is in the forecast and lightning could cause delays, but the White House said the parade must go one, rain or shine. And Trump said Thursday night that the weather “doesn’t matter ... Doesn’t affect the tanks at all. Doesn’t affect the soldiers. They’re used to it.”

Daylong festivities celebrating the Army are planned on the National Mall — featuring NFL players, fitness competitions and displays — culminating in the parade, which is estimated to cost $25 million to $45 million. The Army expects as many as 200,000 people to attend.

A special reviewing area is being set up so that the president can watch up close as each formation passes the White House.

Cities large and small were preparing for major demonstrations Saturday across the U.S. against Trump, as officials urge calm and National Guard troops mobilize.

A flagship “No Kings” march and rally are planned in Philadelphia, but no events are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C.

The demonstrations come on the heels of protests flaring up around the country over federal immigration enforcement raids that began last week and Trump ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.

Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades while officials enforced curfews in Los Angeles and Democratic governors called Trump’s Guard deployment “an alarming abuse of power” that “shows the Trump administration does not trust local law enforcement.”

The massive military parade that President Trump has long wanted is set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday evening, with tanks, bands and thousands of troops.

And the biggest question marks are whether it will be overshadowed or delayed by either the weather in Washington or planned protests elsewhere around the country.

Falling on Trump’s 79th birthday, the parade was added just a few weeks ago to the Army’s long-planned 250th anniversary celebration. It has triggered criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates down along the route.

The daylong display of America’s Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use his fighting forces in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided, inviting an array of lawsuits and accusations that he is politicizing the military.

A fence blocks access to the White House ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A man bicycles with several flags past a helicopter on display during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin).

People walk in between security fencing and concrete barricades toward a large photograph of President Donald Trump and President Abraham Lincoln, draped on the USDA building, Friday, June 13, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Members of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines, guard the entrance outside the Wilshire Federal Building, ahead of Saturday's nationwide "No Kings Day" protest, in Los Angeles, Calif., Friday, June 13, 2025. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Soldiers prepare ahead of wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)