The New York Post Torches Mets Star Juan Soto Over Effort in Brutal Back Cover Headline

Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via AP Images

The New York Post roasted Mets star Juan Soto with a scathing back cover headline criticizing his alleged lack of effort in recent games.

During the third game of a much-anticipated “Subway Series” against the New York Yankees, Soto grounded out late in the game on a ball hit softly to second fielder DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu then threw to first base to get the out. Perhaps expecting the ball to get through the infield, Soto didn’t run hard out of the batter’s box.

Many viewers, however, were convinced that Soto might have had a chance to beat out the throw had he hustled to first base. Replays of the play appeared to give that theory some validity.

The next day, the Mets were in Fenway Park to take on the Red Sox. In the sixth inning, Soto hit a ball to deep left field. Again, Soto didn’t run hard out of the box as it looked as though he had just hit a home run. Instead, the ball bounced off Fenway’s left field wall — known as the “Green Monster” — and Soto was limited to a single. It was widely believed Soto cost himself a double since he didn’t immediately run, but he stole second base immediately after.

In Tuesday morning’s edition of The New York Post, the paper dubbed him “Juan Slo-Mo.”

“Soto fails to bust it out of box — again,” the text beneath the headline read, “and denies it’s an issue after ugly loss.”

After Monday’s game, Soto was asked by a reporter about his effort in his recent outings. Soto argued that he’s actually “been hustling pretty hard.”

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