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Juan Soto made it a point to slowly trot around the bases Monday afternoon following a moonshot home run against the Tampa Bay Rays. In doing so, he sent a message to the rival ball club in retaliation of a Rays player’s prior actions.
While everyone watching knew exactly what Soto was doing, the outfielder denied any correlation between the two incidents. He’s not fooling anyone!
The division foes faced off in a series finale with the Yankees looking to even things up at two games apiece. They’d do so in dominant fashion, leaving with a 9-1 victory.
Things got a bit testy in that matchup despite the one-sided score.
New York led 4-0 through the first four frames before Tampa Bay was able to get on the board. Jose Siri launched an opposite field home run in the top of the fifth, and subsequently enjoyed the moment with a slow jog around the basepaths.
To put an exclamation point on the bomb, Siri not only celebrated at home plate, but also while rounding third base, much to the dismay of those Yankees watching along from the dugout.
This coming after an emphatic bat flip.
Aaron Judge gave Jose Siri a death glare.
How much of a gnat do you gotta be for this to happen 🤣 pic.twitter.com/YWW6ILpuVp
— Joe Randazzo 📚📕📖 (@LibrarianJoe_) July 22, 2024
Boos rained down from the Yankee Stadium stands throughout that 30-second trot, though they’d soon turn into cheers.
Juan Soto retaliated with a 37-second jog (walk?) around the bases after launching a 424-foot HR.
Soto made sure his trot was longer!
It appeared to be a blatant retaliation, though the outfielder denied it in the postgame.
“I don’t know what [Jose Siri] was doing, actually,” Soto said in the locker room. “I just don’t know. For me, I just — you know, hot weather. Tough day. Tried to save the hammies and make sure I go nice and easy.”
Suuuuure…
Soto later added a second home run for good measure to keep any Tampa Bay celebrations at a minimum. The Yankees got the last laugh!