NEW YORK — Things were going great at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. The Yankees were winning, the crowd was loud, and the energy was exciting. But something unexpected happened in the eighth inning — and it had nothing to do with the game.
A loud and rude chant from the stands started: “F— Juan Soto.”
It was aimed at Juan Soto, the former Yankees star who played just one season before signing a substantial 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets — the most significant contract in sports.
Many Yankees fans are still upset that Soto left. But this chant surprised many people—including Michael Kay, the Yankees’ voice. He wasn’t happy.
Michael Kay Speaks Out
The next day, on his radio show, Michael Kay called out the fans who participated in the chant. He said their behaviour was childish and embarrassing.
“We always hear jokes about who’s the big brother and little brother between the Yankees and Mets,” Kay said. “But yesterday, that chant? That was little brother stuff.”
“Your team is winning,” he continued. “Why are you even chanting about Soto? It isn’t very comfortable. You should feel ashamed.”
Kay wasn’t just upset about the chant. He was disappointed that fans were more focused on Soto — who wasn’t even at the game — instead of cheering for their own team.
“It looked really bad,” he said. “The Mets haven’t won anything. They just paid the most money for Juan Soto. But no championships since 1986. So why chant ‘bleep Juan Soto’? It doesn’t make sense.”
He also said that he would’ve spoken up right away if he had heard the chant while calling the game.
Why It Hit Hard
Fans loved Juan Soto during his one year with the Yankees. He helped the team reach the World Series and brought a lot of excitement to the lineup. When he left for the Mets, it was surprising, but many people understood — they gave him much more money.
Some fans were okay with it, while others felt hurt. On Thursday, those feelings spilled out into that chant.
This isn’t the first time Yankees fans have chanted at players they don’t like. Astros player José Altuve is still booed in New York after the 2017 cheating scandal. But this situation is different. Altuve helped beat the Yankees. Soto just made a business decision — and he left in a respectful way.
That’s why Kay’s words meant so much. He wasn’t just standing up for Soto — he was reminding fans to improve.
“You’re better than that,” he said. “Act like it.”
Yankees Are Still Winning
What’s strange is that the Yankees are doing well without Soto. Even though they had injuries — including star pitcher Gerrit Cole — they’ve started the season 6–2 and have the best run difference in the league.
They’re finding ways to win and work together. That’s what fans should be excited about.
“Your team is winning,” Kay said again. “That should be enough.”
Soto’s New Start — and Return to Yankee Stadium
Now with the Mets, Soto played his first home game on Friday. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI double. His start to the season has been quiet — batting just .240 so far — but people expect him to heat up soon.
He’s returning to Yankee Stadium on May 16 for the first Subway Series game of the year. That night will show whether fans are still angry or have moved on.
