In a heartwarming gesture of camaraderie and gratitude, Juan Soto, the newest addition to the New York Mets, surprised his teammate Brett Baty with a generous gift during spring training. Soto, who recently signed a monumental $765 million contract with the Mets, expressed his appreciation for the No. 22 jersey that Baty had worn for the team in the past three seasons.
The Mets shared a video capturing the touching moment when Soto presented Baty with a sleek black Chevrolet Tahoe, adorned with a heartfelt message, 'Thanks for #22,' on the back window. Baty, a talented third baseman for the Mets, had been driving the same 2016 Toyota 4Runner from his high school days until this surprise gift.
Upon seeing the new SUV, Baty was visibly moved, exclaiming, 'No, you didn't,' with a beaming smile. Soto, who has sported the No. 22 jersey throughout his career with various teams, including the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees, expressed his sentiment to Baty, stating, 'It's the first one I ever wore.'
Soto's thoughtful gesture did not go unnoticed, as Baty expressed his gratitude, calling the gift 'crazy' and acknowledging Soto as 'the man.' The exchange between the two teammates was filled with warmth and camaraderie, setting a positive tone for the upcoming season.
Notably, this act of generosity is not the first within the Mets organization. In a previous season, Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil received a new Ford Bronco Sport from shortstop Francisco Lindor as a fulfillment of a promise made the year before. Lindor had pledged to buy McNeil a new car if he won the National League batting title, a feat that McNeil accomplished with a league-leading .326 batting average.
These instances of teammates supporting each other beyond the field exemplify the strong bonds and camaraderie that exist within the Mets organization. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, the spirit of unity and generosity displayed by players like Soto and Lindor sets a positive example for teamwork and sportsmanship in Major League Baseball.
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