Juan Soto`s return to Yankee Stadium as a New York Met on Friday night brought months of mixed feelings from New York Yankees fans to a climax. It was his first time back as a member of the cross-town rival team.
Soto played for the Yankees in the 2024 season before signing a massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets in December. How was he greeted upon his first appearance at Yankee Stadium as a Met? With a torrent of boos.
Every time Soto went to right field on defense, Yankees fans demonstratively turned their backs.
Including every contentious homecoming in sports would make this article excessively long. Instead, we`ll recount some of the most memorable examples.
John Calipari in Lexington
John Calipari coached the Kentucky Wildcats for fifteen years. He led them to four Final Fours, including a national championship in 2011-12. However, his final four seasons ended disappointingly before he left for the Arkansas Razorbacks last spring, swapping Kentucky`s blue for Arkansas`s red.
His return to Lexington and the Kentucky court was met with a resounding chorus of boos.
James Harden in Philadelphia
James Harden played for the Philadelphia 76ers for a season and a half. He was traded to the LA Clippers in October 2023 after requesting a trade during the 2023 offseason and publicly calling 76ers president Daryl Morey a `liar`.
Philadelphia fans gave him a classic Philly welcome, booing him intensely during introductions and whenever he touched the ball. They even cheered when he missed shots.
LeBron James in Cleveland
LeBron James transformed from a beloved hero to a despised villain in the eyes of Cleveland fans remarkably quickly.
His first game back in Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat created an intensely hostile atmosphere. The sense of betrayal, disappointment, and anger directed at him was palpable throughout the arena and the entire city.
LeBron wasn`t just Cleveland`s most popular sports figure; he was a local son. His move to South Beach inflicted a unique level of pain on a championship-starved city that had placed its hopes and dreams squarely on his shoulders.
The `kid from Akron` was deluged with boos and insults from his former supporters. Some threw objects like drinks and even a battery. Others held signs with messages like `Quitness,` `Witnessed No Championship,` and a simple `I Hate LeBron.` The team reported four fans were ejected and one was arrested that evening.
King James pushed past the hostility, scoring 38 points in the Heat`s 118-90 victory.
LeBron eventually won back Cleveland`s affection by delivering a long-awaited NBA championship in 2016.
Jack Eichel in Buffalo
Jack Eichel, a forward for the Vegas Golden Knights and former captain of the Buffalo Sabres, was traded. In his first return game to Buffalo in March 2022 at KeyBank Center, he had zero points in a 3-1 loss, facing a barrage of boos from former fans.
His subsequent return trip was different, apart from the equally raucous chorus of boos.
This time, Eichel scored a hat trick in the Golden Knights` 7-4 win over the Sabres, extending Vegas` win streak to nine games. He appeared to relish the role of the villain.
After the game, Eichel commented, `I think last year I didn`t know what to expect… I had an emotional connection — I still do — to this city and these people. I came in this year knowing what I was going to get and the kind of reception. I just tried to use the energy.`
Bryce Harper in Washington
Bryce Harper went from being a favorite son to public enemy number one in Washington D.C. He left the Nationals to sign a then-record 13-year, $330 million contract with their National League East rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, in February 2019. His first return to Nationals Park was met with anything but a warm welcome.
Fans booed him during a pregame tribute video and cheered loudly when ace Max Scherzer struck him out in his initial at-bat. Harper wasn`t pleased with the heckling, stating after the game that the fans had `crossed the line.`
Some might argue this reaction was petty, given Harper simply chose the highest offer, while others believe player loyalty should be valued.
Notably, the Nationals won the World Series the season after he departed.
Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City
The game between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder marked a notorious moment in NBA history. Few player departures had stirred such controversy across the league since LeBron James`s highly scrutinized `The Decision`.
Kevin Durant`s significance to Oklahoma City was undeniable; he even had a restaurant named after him. (It closed after his departure but has since reopened under new branding).
Consequently, the welcome KD received was decidedly unfriendly. There were deafening boos during warmups, introductions, and every time he touched the ball on offense. `Cupcake` signs were everywhere, and at least one fan even dressed as a cupcake.
Compounding the situation was his difficult split from former teammate and friend, Russell Westbrook, adding another layer of bitterness. The former duo clashed throughout the game, exchanging words multiple times. At one point, Westbrook was seen yelling, `I`m coming!`
However, Durant ultimately had the final word, scoring 34 points and grabbing nine rebounds in the Warriors` dominant 130-114 win.
After the game, he commented on the constant boos, stating, `I actually thought it would be a little louder, but it was fun.`
Deion Sanders in Atlanta
Deion Sanders, who played for the Atlanta Falcons for five years, sparked outrage when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Additional resentment stemmed from claims by Falcons players that he demanded special treatment and that his nickname `Prime Time` actually stood for `Part Time` due to him playing baseball for the Atlanta Braves concurrently.
This particular heated homecoming differed from the rest: instead of merely enduring the relentless criticism upon his return to the Georgia Dome, Sanders actively taunted the Falcons fans.
That`s right, `Prime Time` reversed the narrative. He put on a performance. Not content with just high-stepping the final 40 yards on a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown, he turned sideways and flashed a wide grin towards the Atlanta bench for added effect.
The more they booed, the more he seemed to thrive (and dance).
The 49ers ultimately won the game 42-3.
Johnny Damon in Boston
While much is considered fair in love and baseball, leaving the Boston Red Sox for the New York Yankees is a notable exception. While it`s possible, it guarantees public condemnation.
One of sports` most intense rivalries is not to be taken lightly, as Johnny Damon discovered. The former Boston star received some slight leniency for helping the Red Sox win a World Series, but his return to Fenway Park was still met with considerable hostility from fans.
Many fans threw fake and real dollar bills onto the warning track in center field when he took the field, symbolizing his departure for money. He signed a four-year deal with New York worth $12 million more than Boston`s offer.
Damon faced additional backlash for joining the Yankees in December 2005, especially after he had publicly stated earlier that year, `there`s no way I can go play for the Yankees… It`s definitely not the most important thing to go out there for the top dollar, which the Yankees are going to offer me. It`s not what I need.`
Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh
Jaromir Jagr won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, his decision not to see a future with the team left many fans feeling bitter. Furthermore, his manner of departure, including requesting a trade twice, fueled the barrage of boos he received every time he touched the puck at Mellon Arena.
During the 2000-01 season, Jagr was struggling. This, combined with a difficult relationship with coach Ivan Hlinka, Mario Lemieux`s return from retirement, and the Penguins` financial limitations, likely provided sufficient reason for both sides to part ways. However, before his 2001 trade to the Washington Capitals, he infamously commented, `I feel like I`m dying alive… I don`t feel comfortable here right now. It`s not the same for me right now. We`ll see what happens. Maybe I`m going to think about retirement pretty soon.`
While his threat to retire at just 28 years old was idle, it significantly damaged his relationship with the Penguins organization and their fans.
Alex Rodriguez in Seattle
Is baseball always about the money? (That was a rhetorical question).
Similar to Harper and Damon, Alex Rodriguez`s exit from Seattle was driven by a lucrative contract. Rodriguez, widely regarded as the game`s top player then, left the Seattle Mariners for a record-breaking 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers during the offseason. At that time, it was the largest contract in sports history.
Fans wasted no time expressing their displeasure when Rodriguez came up for his first at-bat as a Ranger. The boos at Safeco Field were deafening and relentless.
The game ultimately ended with a 9-7 victory for the Mariners.
Vince Carter in Toronto
Vince Carter`s history with Toronto is complex. The former Raptors star was traded to the New Jersey Nets on December 17, 2004, amidst reports of his dissatisfaction with Toronto`s management and rumors that he was no longer playing with full effort.
Unsurprisingly, the perception that `Vinsanity` had quit on the team did not sit well with Raptors fans. The unimpressive return package from the trade – including Alonzo Mourning (who refused to report and was immediately released), Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and two first-round picks – only made matters worse.
When Carter returned to Toronto in a New Jersey uniform on April 15, 2005, the sold-out crowd made their feelings known with constant boos and `V.C. sucks` chants.
Carter appeared unfazed, scoring 39 points as the Nets secured a 101-90 victory. He would continue to deliver impressive performances in Toronto (referred to as `The Six`) for years afterward.
Eric Lindros in Philadelphia
Eric Lindros played eight seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers before his time there ended acrimoniously. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 26, 2000, a hit left him with his sixth career concussion. Although cleared to play in November 2000, he sat out the rest of the season and vowed never to play for the Flyers again.
Lindros was subsequently traded to the New York Rangers. Despite his claims that his issues in Philadelphia were only with the owner and general manager, Flyers fans were not forgiving and made their displeasure abundantly clear upon his return to their home ice.
Terrell Owens in Philadelphia
Terrell Owens was popular during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, but that affection turned to intense dislike the moment he signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Fans united in their shared animosity towards their former star who had joined a bitter NFC East rival.
Owens, known for his public feuds with quarterback Donovan McNabb and criticism of the Eagles before his release and subsequent signing by Dallas, received an icy welcome back to Lincoln Financial Field. While McNabb claimed he was unaffected by the surrounding hype, the city of Philadelphia certainly wasn`t.
Fans had become emotionally invested in T.O., leading to a harsher backlash. Owens joked before the game that the crowd might throw `cheesesteaks, batteries, Huggies, anything` at him.
However, such incidents didn`t occur, as T.O. had little opportunity to provoke. The former Eagle was limited to just three catches for 45 yards in Philadelphia`s 38-24 victory.
Ben Simmons in Philadelphia
Ben Simmons was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2022. He was still inactive when his new team, the Nets, visited Philadelphia in March, finally facing his former team in late November.
Despite signing autographs for fans and playing effectively early (11 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks), the crowd was vocally hostile and unrelenting, booing him throughout the game as the Nets lost 115-106 to the 76ers, who were playing without Joel Embiid and James Harden.
Rupert Hartwell