On Friday night time, months of combined feelings for New York Yankees followers towards Juan Soto got here to a head because the New York Mets proper fielder made his first journey to Yankee Stadium as a member of the crosstown rival.
Soto spent the 2024 season with the Yankees earlier than touchdown a 15-year $765 million contract with the Mets in December. What was Soto welcomed to as his first time to Yankee Stadium as a Met? A bathe of boos.
Each time Soto took the sphere on protection, Yankee followers additionally turned their backs on the fitting fielder.
If we have been to incorporate each contentious homecoming in sports activities, this text would drag on longer than an ungainly encounter along with your ex. As an alternative, we’ll simply regale you with among the most memorable ones.
John Calipari in Lexington, 2025
Calipari spent a decade and a half main the Kentucky Wildcats earlier than buying and selling blue for pink and accepting the Arkansas Razorbacks job final spring. Kentucky went to the Last 4 4 instances beneath Calipari — capturing a nationwide title in 2011-12 — however completed in unceremonious vogue every of his previous 4 seasons.
The response when Calipari walked onto the court docket in his return to Lexington? A refrain of boos.
Coach Cal is booed by the Kentucky crowd in his return to Rupp Enviornment 😳
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/2V1G0hColn
— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2025
James Harden in Philadelphia, 2023
Harden spent a season and a half with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier than being traded to the LA Clippers in October 2023. He requested a commerce through the 2023 offseason and later known as 76ers president Daryl Morey a liar after not being traded initially.
Philadelphia followers welcomed him as solely they might — booing Harden closely throughout introductions and each time he touched the ball. Additionally they cheered throughout his missed pictures.
LeBron James in Cleveland, 2010
James went from being hailed as a hero to jeered as a villain faster than the writers of “Sport of Thrones.”
The setting was nothing in need of combative as James returned to Cleveland for the primary time as a member of the Miami Warmth. The sentiments of betrayal, disappointment and vitriol directed at him have been tangible within the enviornment — and within the metropolis as a complete.
LeBron hadn’t simply been the preferred sports activities determine in Cleveland, he was certainly one of its personal. So his departure for South Seashore caused a distinct degree of anguish to the championship-starved metropolis that had its hopes and desires resting upon his shoulders.
The “child from Akron” was showered with boos and obscenities from former followers. A few of them threw issues (together with drinks and a battery); others held indicators that includes issues resembling “Quitness” and “Witnessed No Championship,” together with the extra simple “I Hate LeBron.” In accordance with the group, 4 followers have been ejected, and one was arrested that night time.
King James powered by the animosity to attain 38 factors en path to a 118-90 Warmth win.
LeBron would go on to regain Cleveland’s love with a hard-earned Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2016.
Jack Eichel in Buffalo, 2022
Eichel, a Vegas Golden Knights ahead and former Buffalo Sabres captain, was traded in November 2022. He had zero factors in Vegas’ 3-1 loss on the KeyBank Heart in March 2022 whereas being showered with boos from his former supporters.
The return journey was a bit completely different, except for the identical raucous refrain of boos.
Eichel had a hat trick within the Golden Knights’ 7-4 win over the Sabres. That prolonged Vegas’ win streak to 9 video games. This time, Eichel appeared to relish taking part in the heel.
Jack Eichel seems to take pleasure in scoring in Buffalo in opposition to his previous group pic.twitter.com/6kRSDOgb6X
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 11, 2022
“I believe final 12 months I did not know what to anticipate,” Eichel stated after the sport. “I had an emotional connection — I nonetheless do — to this metropolis and these individuals. I got here on this 12 months realizing what I used to be going to get and the sort of reception. I simply tried to make use of the vitality.”
Bryce Harper in Washington, 2019
Bryce Harper was greeted by a refrain of boos in his return to D.C. on #MLBNShowcase. pic.twitter.com/bxYPngzhPI
— MLB Community (@MLBNetwork) April 2, 2019
From favored son to public enemy No. 1, Harper, who left the Washington Nationals to signal a then-record-breaking 13-year, $330 million take care of their Nationwide League East rival Philadelphia Phillies in February 2019, did not garner an exceptionally heat welcome when he returned to Nationals Park for the primary time.
Followers showered him with boos throughout a pregame tribute video, then cheered loudly as ace Max Scherzer struck him out in his first at-bat. The heckling did not sit properly with Harper as he known as followers out after the sport, saying they “crossed the road.”
Some will argue this reception was petty as Harper merely went to the best bidder; others will say loyalty ought to rely for one thing.
We’ll simply say this: The Nationals went on to win the World Collection the season after he left.
Kevin Durant in Oklahoma Metropolis, 2017
Thunder followers booing KD as he takes the ground pregame. pic.twitter.com/ViwMSeA31X
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) February 12, 2017
Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder: A recreation to reside in NBA infamy. No departure had induced such a ruckus across the Affiliation since King James was hounded for “The Choice.”
You did not have to spend a lot time in OKC to see simply how a lot Kevin Durant meant to the town — the man even had a restaurant named after him (the institution closed within the wake of his departure however has since reopened with a distinct identify and theme).
Subsequently, the welcome KD acquired was removed from pleasant. There have been deafening boos whereas he warmed up, when he was launched and every time he touched the ball on offense. There have been additionally cupcake indicators — so many cupcake indicators. To not point out a minimum of one fan dressed as an precise cupcake.
To make issues worse, there was the messy divorce from his former teammate and pal, Russell Westbrook, which added a complete different layer of animosity. Issues received chippy between the ex-duo all through the sport, they usually exchanged phrases on a number of events. At one level through the contest, Westbrook might be seen yelling: “I am coming!”
Durant received the final snigger, although, dropping 34 factors and grabbing 9 rebounds because the Warriors secured a dominant 130-114 victory. After the sport, he commented on the persistent boos, saying: “I truly thought it will be a little bit louder, but it surely was enjoyable.”
Deion Sanders in Atlanta, 1994
Sanders, who performed for the Atlanta Falcons for 5 years, left the town outraged after signing with the San Francisco 49ers. There was extra unwell will within the wake of his departure, as Falcons gamers claimed he demanded preferential remedy. Additionally they stated “Prime Time” actually meant “Half Time” as a result of Sanders cut up time between the Atlanta Braves and the Falcons.
This heated homecoming story was a bit dissimilar to the others: Somewhat than enduring the relentless ridicule throughout his return to the Georgia Dome, Sanders taunted the Falcons devoted.
That is proper, Prime Time flipped the script. He placed on a present. It wasn’t sufficient to high-step the ultimate 40 yards into the tip zone on a 93-yard interception return, he determined to show sideways and flash a giant ole grin towards the Atlanta bench for good measure.
The extra they booed, the extra he thrived (and danced).
The 49ers would go on to win 42-3.
Johnny Damon in Boston, 2006
All’s truthful in love and baseball — apart from leaving the Boston Pink Sox for the New York Yankees. You actually simply cannot do it. We imply, you may, however you are going to get publicly reprimanded for it.
Probably the most heated rivalries in sports activities will not be one thing to be trifled with, simply ask Damon. The previous Boston star was granted some leniency due to his involvement in bringing the Sox a World Collection title, however the followers have been nonetheless fairly brutal in his return to Fenway Park.
A lot of them opted to throw pretend and actual greenback payments on the warning observe in middle when he took the sphere as an ode to his departure — he left to signal a four-year contract with New York that was price $12 million greater than what Boston supplied.
Damon drew further criticism for becoming a member of the Yankees in December 2005 after vowing earlier within the 12 months that “there is no means I can go play for the Yankees, however I do know they’ll come after me arduous. It is positively not crucial factor to go on the market for the highest greenback, which the Yankees are going to supply me. It is not what I want.”
Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh, 2001
Jagr received two Stanley Cups as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, however he did not see a viable future as a Penguin, which left a bitter style within the mouths of many Pens followers. Greater than that, it was the way in which during which he departed from the franchise (asking to be traded twice) that prompted the barrage of boos every time he touched the puck whereas visiting Mellon Enviornment.
Throughout the 2000-01 season, Jagr was going by a little bit of a droop. That, mixed together with his rocky relationship with then-head coach Ivan Hlinka, the return of Mario Lemieux from retirement and the Penguins’ lack of ability to pay Jagr the massive bucks, would most likely have been sufficient trigger for each events to maneuver on. However earlier than being traded to the Washington Capitals in 2001, he famously declared, “I really feel like I am dying alive. … I do not really feel comfy right here proper now. It is not the identical for me proper now. We’ll see what occurs. Possibly I am going to consider retirement fairly quickly.”
Whereas his risk to retire on the age of 28 was idle, it did not bode properly for his relationship with the Penguins group or its fan base.
Alex Rodriguez in Seattle, 2001
Is it all the time about cash in baseball? That was a rhetorical query.
Just like the tales of Harper and Damon, Rodriguez’s departure from Seattle needed to do with a payday. Rodriguez, extensively thought of to be the most effective participant within the recreation on the time, jilted the Seattle Mariners in favor of a 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers through the offseason. On the time, it was probably the most profitable contract in sports activities historical past.
The followers didn’t hesitate to voice their displeasure as Rodriguez got here up for his first at-bat as a Ranger. The boos at Safeco Subject have been deafening — and chronic.
The sport resulted in a 9-7 Mariners victory.
Vince Carter in Toronto, 2005
Carter’s relationship with Toronto has been an advanced one over time. On Dec. 17, 2004, the previous Raptors phenom was traded to the New Jersey Nets amid experiences that he was displeased with Toronto’s higher administration. Rumors additionally circulated that he had stopped giving his all on the court docket.
It is no shock that the considered Vinsanity quitting on the group didn’t go over properly with the Raptors’ devoted. The underwhelming return from the commerce of Alonzo Mourning (who refused to report and was launched instantly), Aaron Williams, Eric Williams and two first-round draft picks solely added insult to harm.
When Carter made his return to Toronto donning a New Jersey uniform on April 15, 2005, the sold-out crowd let him hear it with a gradual stream of boos and “V.C. sucks” chants.
Carter remained unfazed and went on to attain 39 factors because the Nets left city with a 101-90 victory. He would make a behavior of placing on spectacular performances in The Six for years to return.
Eric Lindros in Philadelphia, 2002
Lindros performed eight seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier than issues unraveled. On Might 26, 2000, in Sport 7 of the Japanese Convention finals, an open-ice hit left him with the sixth concussion of his profession. Lindros was cleared to renew taking part in on Nov. 27, 2000, however he sat out the rest of the season and vowed by no means to play for the Flyers once more.
Lindros was traded to the New York Rangers. Regardless of insisting that his qualms in Philadelphia had solely been with the proprietor and common supervisor, Flyers followers did not take kindly to his actions and made positive he was properly conscious when he returned to their dwelling ice.
Terrell Owens in Philadelphia, 2006
Owens was embraced throughout his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, however as quickly as he signed with the Dallas Cowboys, the love shortly turned to loathing. Followers united in widespread hatred for his or her former star, who had joined an NFC East rival.
Owens, who notoriously feuded with Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb and criticized the Eagles earlier than they launched him and Dallas picked him, acquired an ice-cold homecoming to Lincoln Monetary Subject. Although McNabb maintained that he was proof against the T.O. hoopla surrounding the extremely anticipated matchup, the town of Philadelphia was assuredly not.
The followers had emotionally invested in T.O, and thus they turned on him even more durable. Owens joked within the week main as much as the sport that the group was able to throwing “cheesesteaks, batteries, Huggies, something” at him.
Nevertheless, it by no means actually got here to that as T.O. by no means had an opportunity to brag. The previous Eagle was held to 3 catches for 45 yards in Philadelphia’s 38-24 win.
Ben Simmons in Philadelphia, 2022
Simmons was acquired from the 76ers in February of 2022 however was nonetheless in road garments when the Nets traveled to Philadelphia in March, solely going through his previous group in late November.
Whereas Simmons signed autographs for followers within the stands and performed properly early on — placing up 11 factors, 11 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and three blocks — the group was profane and cruel, booing him continuously because the Nets fell to the Joel Embiid- and James Harden-less 76ers 115-106.
