"Juan Soto & his $800m couldn’t find a flight" - MLB fans react as Mets' Francisco Lindor faces boos at Knicks game in NYC

The rivalry between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets has gone through the roof ever since the Mets signed Juan Soto to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract during this off-season. The animosity was palpable when the Mets were announced to the crowd at an NBA game in New York on Saturday evening.

Fans offered their reactions on X, formerly Twitter, to the raucous reception the Mets players received from the New York Knicks fanbase. One Yankee fan in particular jibed at Juan Soto for not being among those at the game.

Juan Soto is bound to receive a hot reception when he arrives at Yankee Stadium this year. Soto had joined the New York Yankees for the start of the 2024 season and played a key role in helping the team reach the World Series. Yet, he chose not to return to the Bronx upon becoming a free agent and instead joined their crosstown rivals even though the Yankees were willing to pay $760 million for his services.

New York Mets superstar Francisco Lindor and some of his teammates attended the game between the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Large boos rang out inside the arena when their presence was announced to the spectators, showing that the New York Yankees fandom is still running strong in NYC.

"Juan Soto and his 800 million couldn’t find a flight," tweeted one fan, noting the former Yankees superstar's absence.

"They’ll still always be little bro," said another Yankees fan.

"Y’all are mad we stole your food," replied a Mets fan.

The comments from the Yankees supporters poured in on X.

"I was told NY was a Mets town," a fan commented sarcastically.

"Always a Yankee town," said another fan.

"Just waut until they show up at Yankee Stadium," another fan said.

The Mets and the Yankees will start the first Subway Series of the year on May 16 at the Bronx.

Juan Soto is going to be a presence in the middle of our lineup: Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo

Juan Soto signed the largest-ever contract in sports history (Image Source: Imagn)

The New York Mets held this year's Amazin's Day, the annual fest that allows their fans to get up close and personal with their stars, on Saturday. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was among those who were present for the event, and he offered his thoughts on the Mets acquiring Juan Soto for the long haul.

"So glad that we won that bidding war and brought him to the orange and blue," Nimmo said.

"I'm excited. He's going to be a presence in the middle of our lineup and it's going to be really exciting to see what he can do," he added.

Soto batted .288/.419/.569 during the regular season last year with a career-high 41 home runs and finished in third place for the American League MVP.