Mets fans get the upper hand over Michael Kay after Juan Soto's massive weekend

If anyone thought the drama between New York Mets fans and New York Yankees fans (and pundits) was going to die down peacefully, they were sorely mistaken. One would've thought, with months and months passing since the superstar's shocking decision, and the passage of the Subway Series, Soto-based tensions between the fan bases would've frozen over like a poorly shoveled New York sidewalk in the dead of winter.

Instead, those in the Yankees' sphere can't stop focusing on Soto, even though they'll tell you that the sum of the parts they acquired with the money they earmarked for the 26-year-old phenom is worth so much more than a generational talent.

Yankees play-by-play man, and ESPN Radio instigator, Michael Kay puzzlingly decided to reignite the Soto-based tensions, continuing to push the narrative that Soto is wracked with regret over his decision to move from the Bronx to Queens, and coming straight at Mets fans in the process.

Emotional narratives aside, Kay is leaning into the misguided idea that Soto, who's off to a slow start by his standards, is somehow holding the team back, mired in misery over his life-changing decision. It's true that, by wRC+, 2025 has been the worst season of Soto's career, but more importantly, with a mark of 135 through June 9, Soto's also hit 35% better than the league-average hitter. Not bad for a guy who is so miserable he can't perform, right?

Juan Soto's big weekend should shut the NY Mets haters up, but it won't

Kay's rant occurred on June 5, setting the stage for Soto to immediately cast further doubt on the narrative that he and the vocal contingent of Yankees are pushing, culminating with a feat Soto had never accomplished in his career previously.

Known for his prodigious on-base skills, Soto capped off his weekend by reaching base safely six times, lacing three singles and drawing three walks, on June 8 against the Colorado Rockies. It was the first time in his superstar career that he'd reached safely six times in one game.

Contrary to the narrative being pushed by his detractors, Soto isn't afraid of the limelight. He arrived in the big leagues as a 19-year-old with sky-high expectations and exceeded all of them right off the bat. He played a critical role in the Yankees' October run last season and was far from the reason they came up short against the Dodgers.

Soto's weekend outburst should prove that there's nothing wrong with him or his commitment to his new team. The season is still young, and the smart money is on the sweet-swinging lefty to end the year at the top of the offensive leaderboards.

Meanwhile, smart Mets fans know this season is about a lot more than Juan Soto. The Mets are a complete team. The pitching staff has led the league in ERA for nearly the entire season to date. The offense is a top-five unit, with many contributors who haven't just signed $765 million deals. More help is on the horizon, with last year's ace Sean Manaea on the mend and looking to rejoin the club soon. Next month's trade deadline will bring in even more reinforcements to shore up the roster's fringes and gaps.

This is a team built for a deep October playoff run. Smart Mets fans know that this is where the focus should be. The crosstown Yankees are set up for similar success. Maybe someone should send the memo over to Michael Kay that actually winning baseball games and coming home to a parade through the Canyon of Heroes should be where the focus lies. That's exactly what Soto and company are doing, undeterred by the professional New York loudmouths.