WATCH: Juan Soto Hailed as “Man of the People” After a Tender Moment With Kid Unites Yankees’ and Its “Nemesis” Fanbase

In a season filled with intense games and rivalries, Juan Soto did something off-field that captured fan’s attention. Not in a “where is the tea” moment, but one where it just shows what a great person Juan Soto is. On Friday, the New York Yankees star followed in the footsteps of Aaron Judge and made a wish of a Make-a-Wish foundation kid come true.

Juan Soto showed that beyond the stats and standings, these unforgettable moments truly define the spirit of the game. Fans are showing him not just attention but their love and respect for his gesture. Similar to John Cena’s Make-a-Wish foundation, Soto received scattered applause. 

Juan Soto creates an unforgettable moment for a young kid

Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. The foundation aims to provide these children with a special, often life-changing experience that brings joy and hope during challenging times. By fulfilling a child’s most cherished wish, Make-A-Wish helps create lasting memories and uplift spirits to fight against the odds.

And just before Friday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Yankee Stadium, Juan Soto and other Yankees players hosted a Make-A-Wish kid named Justin. Now Justin is indeed a lucky little man because he not only met Juan Soto but received a chance to visit the batting cage with him and meet many other players.

Athletic reporter Chris Kirschner shared a video on X that showed Soto walking hand in hand with the little Justin and introducing him to several of his teammates, each of whom, warmly engaged with the young fan, signing his baseball and sharing smiles. For children like Justin, who have plenty of physical struggles, moments like these are core memories, giving them the strength to go on. During the moments when Justin met his favorite stars, he even shed a few tears. 

It’s one of those moments that can even make a grown man cry.

The organization has granted more than 550,000 wishes to children like Justin, with serious illnesses. Soto’s kindness and his gesture to go above and beyond for Justin touched fans baseball fans all over the world and they showered their love on socials.

Fans moved by Juan Soto’s heart-melting gesture

A few months ago, Juan Soto’s fit within the Yankees felt improbable, but now it’s hard to imagine the team apart. He’s been killing it with solid performances and this year Soto has 27 homers, 77 RBIs, and leads the league with 90 walks, rocking a sick slash line of .309/.436/.592. He has become a prominent figure in Latin leadership, showcasing exceptional skills both on and off the field. One fan commenting under the touching video of Soto with Justin said, “This is leadership!!!” and it truly is. 

Another proof of Soto’s popularity among Yankees is the craze fans showed to snag Soto’s jersey. Last year Aaron Judge’s jersey caused a frenzy and this time Soto, No. 22 jersey caused an even bigger noise. Fans lined up to pick up the Soto jersey in the Bronx and Yankee Stadium. Only 18,000 jerseys were available, hence massive lines formed and fans waited for hours to get jerseys. One fan called him a man of the people, he said, “Man of the people. Hope they make him a Yankee for life.”

Soto’s gesture with Justin and the way the kid held on to him showed the meaning of the sport to many. In 2018, Aaron Judge fulfilled a 9-year-old kid’s wish to spend the day at the Yankee Stadium and the captain ensured the wish was fulfilled. One fan said, “As a lifelong Yankees fan… this is the content I live for. Being older now, seeing players around a decade younger than myself (35), keeping up these beautiful traditions, and showing love to the Make-a-Wish children, is one of the most purely beautiful sights.” The fact that Soto wants to make a change and do something for others in need and fans love that.

When players like Soto engage in acts of kindness, they inspire fans to contribute to society in their own ways. One fan, even asked, “Is there a GoFundMe account for this Make-A-Wish youth?” This isn’t just about admiration for a sports figure; it’s about the ripple effect that motivates others to make a difference.

The gesture moved even Orioles fans, who are the ultimate rivals of the Yankees. One fan said, “Diehard Oriole fan and the Yankees are our nemesis but these Yankees make me very happy. What a wonderful thing for this little boy. Well done!”

Therefore, it became a heart-warming moment and the MLB fraternity cherished it.