Juan Soto’s Smile Sparks WFAN Rant
Juan Soto is finding out quickly that New York’s media doesn’t hold back, especially when the team is losing.
The Mets dropped their eighth game in the last nine on Thursday, and WFAN’s Boomer Esiason didn’t mince words about Soto’s demeanor during the skid. The former NFL quarterback opened his “Boomer and Gio” show with a blistering take on the superstar’s body language, specifically his slow jog after blasting a ninth-inning homer that broke up a no-hitter.
“When Juan Soto hit that ball, if it hadn’t left the yard, he might have been thrown out at first. He just kind of strolled out of the box,” said Esiason. “He’s smiling, laughing, it’s frustrating. I want to see fire. I want to see leadership.”
This wasn’t the first time local media took issue with Soto. ESPN New York’s Michael Kay questioned his attitude after he declined to participate in the All-Star Game. Earlier in the season, WFAN’s Sal Licata bluntly said Soto “stinks.”
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Esiason Calls Leadership into Question
But Esiason’s comments cut deeper, calling the Mets “overpaid and underwhelmed” and challenging Soto’s status as a leader.
“Your highest-paid player has to lead the way, whether it’s Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, or Juan Soto,” he said. “If that guy’s making $760 million and jogging to first with a grin, I’m not following him.”
Is the criticism fair? That depends on who you ask. Mets fans have high expectations given the team’s massive payroll. Soto was brought in to be a franchise-altering talent, a player who could carry them into the postseason. And when the team falls short, the spotlight naturally lands on the biggest star.
To be fair, Soto did break up the no-hitter and was the only Met to record a hit that night. But when you’re the face of a struggling team, even your smile can become a lightning rod.
There’s still time for Soto and the Mets to turn things around. If the wins come, so will the goodwill. And that same smile? It might start looking like leadership after all.
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