Carlos Beltran knows exactly what Juan Soto is experiencing this weekend as he makes his return to The Bronx with the Mets. Having faced a similar situation back in July 2005, when he returned to Houston after leaving the Astros to sign with the Mets, Beltran understands the emotional rollercoaster that comes with such homecomings. During that game, Beltran was met with relentless boos from Astros fans, a situation he found difficult to navigate. “It’s hard to block out the boos. It’s hard to block out all that,” he recalled.
Now serving as a special assistant to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, Beltran empathizes with Soto’s current predicament. Speaking to The Post before a thrilling 3-2 Mets victory, he expressed, “No one wants to be booed. But this was expected. This is a guy that last year did an incredible job for the Yankees. He was an asset for the organization. As a free agent, he signed with the Mets. I feel he was even expecting it himself.” Beltran drew parallels between his own experience and Soto’s, emphasizing the emotional weight such moments carry for athletes.
Beltran humorously recounted his first return to Houston, noting, “When I went back to Houston that first time, I never heard a player being booed the way I was booed.” He highlighted the importance of staying focused and not letting the crowd's reaction affect performance. “You have to go with the ride and try not to let that affect your performance or preparation. Sometimes you can get caught up in trying to do too much. I think Soto did a great job Friday,” he said.
Beltran praised Soto's response to the hostile crowd, particularly when he “saluted the fans” with a sarcastic tip of his helmet, despite the overwhelming boos. “That was great. It is part of baseball and you’ve got to deal with it,” Beltran added. He also noted that although the fans were loud, their behavior remained respectful. “No one was disrespectful. It’s what being a fan is about: expressing home field and giving your team an advantage. I don’t think it’s personal,” Beltran clarified.
Reflecting on the experience, Beltran recalled advice from baseball legend Reggie Jackson, who once told him, “They don’t boo nobodies.” This perspective helped Beltran maintain a positive outlook during tough moments, and he sensed that Soto shares a similar mindset. Despite the challenges, Soto managed to walk three times in the Mets’ loss on Friday, showcasing his ability to maintain composure under pressure. “He had good at-bats,” Beltran noted. “That can be hard if you let it bother you.”
Saturday's game saw Soto continue to perform well, as he walked, singled, and scored a run. Interestingly, there were more Mets fans in attendance compared to Friday, but the boos remained loud enough that pitcher Clarke Schmidt felt the need to adjust his PitchCom volume. Schmidt commented on the fans’ reaction, calling it “to be expected.” He added, “He was a lot of fun to play with, but given the circumstances, you were expecting a boo there.”
As the series continues, both Beltran and Soto navigate the complexities of fan reactions, highlighting the unique and often challenging relationship between players and their supporters in Major League Baseball.
