WATCH: Juan Soto goes silent on “Yankee” in El Alfa's "Soto Shuffle" at a club, screams "Los Mets"
Although the New York Mets have pried away prized free agent Juan Soto from the arms of their cross-city rival New York Yankees, the drama doesn't stop as the new season inches closer. It doesn't help when the person fanning the flames is the subject itself — outfield star Juan Soto.
In a viral clip, Juan Soto and his friends were spotted in a party where the song "Soto Shuffle" by El Alfa and Foreign Teck was blasting from the spearkers. Soto was silent when the lyrics mentioned the word "Yankee" as he proceeded to correct it with "Los Mets."
Here's the video:
Although there have been 125 batters and 83 pitchers to have played for the Yankees and the Mets, Soto's swap from the Bronx to Queens has signaled what might be a changing atmosphere in the New York sports scene.
For a long time, the Bombers have been considered the alphas of the city when it comes to baseball. However, the takeover by owner Steve Cohen and the injection of funds has put the Metropolitans within shouting distance when it comes to marquee signings.
High-profile players who have played for the Yankees and the Mets
Overall, 208 players have donned the Yankee pinstrips and the orange and blue of the Mets. Perhaps the biggest addition to this list is Juan Soto. The 26-year-old's signing is a welcome sight for Mets fans and neutrals, as it could symbolize that the power of baseball in New York is equalizing.
Some of the biggest names who have played for both the New York teams were Willie Randolph, Robinson Cano, Dwight Gooden and Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Yogi Berra.
Randolph spent the peak of his powers in the Bronx from 1976 to 1988, where he became a five-time All-Star and a World Series champion. He made a move to Queens in 1992 season, where he retired after a sole campaign.
Robinson Cano established his name stateside with the Bombers. The Dominican legend played for nine season and was a part of the team's dominance during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Cano was a part of the 2009 championship winning squad and became a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger with the Yankees.
After his successful stint, Cano made a big money move to the Mariners, where he spent five seasons with. He returned the Big Apple, though, in blue and orange in 2019 when he was shipped to the Mets alongside future star closer Edwin Diaz for Jay Bruce, Jarred Kelenic, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista and Justin Dunn.
Dwight Gooden is one of the few players who made a name for himself first with the New York Mets before playing with the Yankees. The starter spent 11 seasons in Queens and was a part of their latest World Series-winning squad in 1986. Gooden won the 1985 NL Cy Young after recording a rare Major League Triple Crown.
The four-time All-Star transferred to the Bronx in 1996 and had two separate stints with the team. He won another World Series title in 2000 during his last MLB season. His No. 16 jersey was retired by the Mets, and he was inducted into the teams Hall of Fame in 2010.
Known primarily for his time with the Oakland Athletics, Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson also suited up for both New York squads. Henderson spent five seasons with the Yankees, capturing his first World Series ring in 1989. He also had a short stint with the Mets from 1999 until 2000.
Finally, Hall of Famer Yogi Berra spent 18 illustrious seasons with the New York Yankees. However, one might forget that the 13-time World Series champion played one year for the New York Mets.
Hired by the Bombers as the skipper in 1964, several bumps happened during Berra's tenure as the manager, including the infamous Harmonica Incident.
After losing that season's Fall Classic to the St. Louis Cardinals, Berra was relieved of his duties. The Mets snapped up Berra as a playing coach. He made four appearances for the team before settling in coaching duties.