The Mets enjoy a winning homecoming for Juan Soto and Pete Alonso

Mets fans packed the house for a special homecoming, and their prized players knew exactly how to respond to their love.

The Citi Field parking lot was full hours before the first pitch of the Mets’ 5-0 win over the Blue Jays on Friday. Fans streamed into the ballpark early to get a first look at Juan Soto in orange and blue threads. It seemed like there were paper signs with Soto’s face and name in every section of the stadium. When he finally stepped up to the plate in the first inning, fans were living and dying on every pitch. It was a moment that was years in the making. Mets fans had been dreaming about Soto playing in Queens long before he signed the richest contract ($765 million over 15 years) in Major League Baseball history. 

After a couple of tough at-bats, Soto finally collected his first hit at home as a Met in the sixth inning with an RBI double to the right-field corner. There was a collective exhale from the crowd that watched him pop up and ground out in his first two plate appearances. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo said he’s noticed that Soto has been getting pitched to like Barry Bonds. But when Soto did get a pitch to hit on Friday, he didn’t miss. 

"We knew he was going to come through," shortstop Francisco Lindor said. "It’s just a matter of time. He’s a showman. He’s one of those guys that when the lights are on and everyone’s on top of him, he’s going to perform."

"It was the perfect day for baseball," Soto said. "Everything went our way."

The fans had plenty of love to go around, because there’s no shortage of stars on the 2025 roster.

Pete Alonso, in full force, is back where he belongs. The Mets first baseman heard "Pe-te Al-on-so!" chants reverberating throughout the stadium when he walked up to