Boos, Homerun, and a Giant ‘What If’ – How Juan Soto’s Return to Petco Park Haunted the San Diego Padres

For the San Diego Padres, yesterday came with many lessons. The fact that it came with a Juan Soto-shaped dagger made it much more painful. The man they let go, who never felt quite at ease with them, was the one who started it all. It was Soto that began the New York Yankees’ scary offensive overdrive that culminated in an 8-0 defeat of the Friars. But more importantly, it was a reminder of what could’ve been.

Ever since that huge trade for Soto, the two teams’ paths have been completely divulged. While the Bronx Bombers are scary again, the Padres continue to plod along in the NL West. Their playoff dreams awake not due to their own performance but because of the entire division’s unexpected inconsistencies. However, on a day that began with massive boos for Soto by the Padres fanbase, there was nothing but “MVP” being heard by the end of it. 

How did it come to this? During his pregame conference, Soto noted that he felt a little sad. “I couldn’t show them (the Padres fans)  how great I can be,” said the Dominican slugger about his stint in the Padres. Well, on this day, the Childish Bambino did show his greatness, but he wasn’t wearing the colors of the Friars. That 423-foot homer was symbolic of a lot of things and one of them being, the Padres may have missed the boat.

Yes, Soto wasn’t an abject failure in the Padres (he had an All-Star season) but the Friars represented the only valley in Soto’s career filled with Everests. There were frustrations and a lack of cohesiveness, something that the Padres and Soto both recognized. However, none of that is present in the New York Yankees and suddenly Juan Soto is becoming a frontrunner in the MVP debate. 

For the Padres who are barely holding on to that .500 record that must sting. They had this exact player but they just couldn’t make it click. However, at least for now, Soto seems happy and the Yankees are flying.

Padres’ pain is the New York Yankees’ gain as Juan Soto remains dominant

While the San Diego Padres fans showed their anger, the Yankees fans couldn’t contain their sheer love for Soto. The fans serenaded Soto with loud “MVP! MVP!” chants. To hear that in the Yankee Stadium is one thing but to hear it on the West Coast is surreal. So when asked about it, Soto couldn’t stop smiling when talking about it.

“It’s just great,” Soto said. “It’s a great feeling, thanks for everything. I mean the support’s been amazing so far and let’s keep it that way.” So it looks like the Dominican superstar is enjoying his time in the Bronx Bombers. That wild smile and infectious vibe sure make the Padres’ stint look like a fever dream. And that’s something that might forever sting the Friars’ huge fanbase.