Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“It Means a Lot to the Players”: Standing Ovation at Citi Field Catches Juan Soto by Surprise

Juan Soto is slowly heating up?

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Juan Soto had barely settled into his new home in Queens before the Citi Field crowd made sure he felt it was exactly that: home. On Friday night, as Soto stepped into the box still searching for rhythm in the Mets uniform, fans rose to their feet, this time not in frustration, avoiding the boos, but in support. It was a rare show of preemptive faith in a superstar who had yet to show why he’s worth $765 million, and it took Soto by surprise.

"I really appreciate what they did. I feel like they don't know how meaningful that is. It means a lot to the players when they do that."

Juan Soto was "100%" surprised when the Citi Field crowd gave him a standing ovation, but he says he deeply appreciated it pic.twitter.com/pluW6LTqXO
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 20, 2025

“It’s a great feeling when you have the fanbase supporting you when you’re doing bad, when you’re doing good — it’s just great,” Soto said. “I really appreciate what they did. I feel like they don’t know how meaningful that is. It means a lot to the players when they do that. It’s really special.”

Juan Soto Has Found His Bat?

Since that moment, Soto’s bat has spoken up. The outfielder has gone 5-for-10 with five RBI across the weekend series against the Cardinals, including a pivotal 2-for-3 performance in Sunday’s finale. He raised his average to .256 and, more importantly, looks like a player who’s rediscovered his swing.

ALSO READ: ‘You Can’t Just Sign for $700M and Want Everything to Be Perfect’ – Jackson Merrill Takes Dig at Juan Soto Amid Extension

Soto’s signature moment came late in that final game, an eighth-inning, two-run double scorched into the left-center gap off Ryan Fernandez. The hit, clocked at 106.9 mph off the bat, broke open the game. “In the beginning I was trying to go yard,” Soto admitted. “But when he put me in the [two-strike] hole I just tried to put the ball in play. He made a good pitch and I made a better swing.”

That “better swing” has been a long time coming. The Mets coaching staff has worked closely with Soto since Opening Day, and over the weekend, something finally clicked. Manager Carlos Mendoza spotted a subtle shift during Saturday’s game, a seemingly innocuous foul ball to left field that made him sit up. “That’s what it is right there,” Mendoza thought in real time.

He and Soto discussed it postgame and agreed: a turning point had quietly arrived. “When you see him driving the ball the other way with authority the way he did with that double in the gap, that’s a good sign,” Mendoza said. “When he’s going good, that’s the A swing there.”

ALSO READ: “15 Years, Not 15 Games”: Jeff Passan Dismisses Drama Around Juan Soto’s Comments

It’s far too early to declare that Soto has turned the corner for good. But it’s hard to ignore the timing, standing ovation Friday, hot streak immediately after. The fans packed Citi Field throughout the four-game set, and they’ve been loud, loyal, and more than a little electric. Even with the calendar still in April, the ballpark has had October energy.

FRANCISCO LINDOR WALKS IT OFF WITH A TANK TO THE UPPER DECK 😤

(via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/RIDq8NXy16
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) April 19, 2025

“It’s been great, this crowd has been unbelievable day in and day out,” Soto said. “I really love the support. They’ve been great since day one, so thank you.”

Citi Field gave Juan Soto a standing ovation during his at-bat, and it worked! 👏

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/lU7B0T6hrb
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 19, 2025

The Mets are now 9-1 at home and will look to extend their dominance when the Philadelphia Phillies come to town for a three-game set starting Monday. The last time the Phillies were in New York, they were sent packing from the postseason in the NLDS. The stakes might be different this time, but the competitive edge won’t be.

Juan Soto

Mets

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.