When Hal Steinbrenner took the stage to accept the American League pennant trophy late Saturday night, Yankees fans gathered behind the visiting dugout at Progressive Field were already thinking about the future.
The Yankees had just qualified for the World Series for the first time in 15 years, but fans were hoping that the superstar, who hit the game-winning hit in Game 5 of the ALCS, would continue to play tenaciously into October.
“Re-sign Soto!” they chanted, repeating the familiar refrain that echoed through Yankee Stadium throughout the second half of the season.
They weren't the only ones.
“I think we should re-sign Soto for $700 million,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said amid a raucous clubhouse celebration of champagne and beer. “That's my number. Final offer.”
Others were a little more subtle, but the message was the same.
“We need him to stay. He's going to stay,” ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton said. “I have to bring it. [a championship] When you get home, let's take him home. ”
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Of course, that will happen after the World Series is over and into the winter.
But Soto made sure the Yankees had a chance to win first after some typical Soto at-bat heroics in the 10th inning. He was given a 1-1 count against Guardians right-hander Hunter Gaddis, hitting two sliders and two changeups for fouls. He knew he was “giving every pitch his best,” but was letting off-speed pitches mess up while waiting for a potentially damaging mistake.
Finally, on the seventh pitch of his at-bat, Soto pounced on a 95 mph fastball at the top of the zone and slid it into center field. Some teammates worried he was too high to break out, but the ball continued to flow and he hit a three-run shot over the wall.
“The more he sees pitches, the more dangerous he becomes just downloading the release point, the timing, everything,” Stanton said. “He seemed to knock some balls out of the catcher's glove. Unbelievable moment and just who he is.”
Halfway down the first base line, Soto turned toward the Yankees' dugout and pounded his chest as his teammates spilled into the dirt in a frenzy.
“After he hit me, I felt like I was lying in a coffin because I was dead,” Chisholm said. “My body went from having a heart attack to not having a heart attack.”
The Yankees acquired Soto for moments like this, and Soto was relishing every minute of it.
“Thank you to everyone involved in this trade,” said Soto, who stood on the mound amidst the on-field celebration. “I'm really happy. I'm really happy to be here. They traded me to one of the best teams I've ever been on in my life.”
