Juan Soto faces criticism for lack of effort during Subway Series

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto has faced intense criticism from fans and commentators following instances of perceived lack of effort during the Subway Series against the New York Yankees.

During a game on August 11, Soto was criticized for a lack of hustle on a ground ball in the ninth inning that resulted in a double play, effectively ending the game. Fans expressed frustration on social media, suggesting his high-value contract—reportedly worth $765 million over 15 years—was not reflected in his effort.

In a subsequent game, Soto faced further scrutiny for not running hard on a ground ball in the first inning, which led to a fielding error by an infielder. Mets commentator Ron Darling criticized the lack of urgency, stating that failing to run hard leads to such errors and questioning Soto's ability to play left field. However, fellow commentator Keith Hernandez offered a different perspective, noting that Soto had shown aggressive running in other instances during the same game.