Juan Soto, a 2019 World Series champion with the Washington Nationals, betrayed the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Soto, after helping the New York Yankees defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4, donned an Artemi Panarin New York Rangers jersey as he exited the clubhouse. There were no photos taken as reporters are prohibited from taking pics in the Yankees’ clubhouse.
The 25-year-old Dominican slugger was a big part of the Nationals’ team that captured the district’s first title since 1924 and proved to be just as talented a celebrator.
The Capitals famously celebrated the franchise’s first Stanley Cup victory at a Nationals game just days after bringing the Cup home from Las Vegas. Washington’s baseball team returned the favor a year later.
The raucous night at the rink featured a multi-team photo on the ice, a shirtless Zamboni ride, and singalongs in the locker room.
The Nationals also made their way onto the ice to try their hand at hockey after the game. There, Soto posed for a classic photo with then Capitals Jakub Vrana and Braden Holtby.
The power-hitting Soto donned a white, Capitals road jersey next to the two 2018 Stanley Cup champs. He’d later attend a Capitals playoff game against the Florida Panthers in 2022.
Soto was originally signed by the Nationals as an international free agent in 2015 and made his quick way to the big leagues three years later as a teenager. In just his second season, Soto hit three home runs in the victorious World Series against the Astros.
After a veteran Nationals team immediately started falling out of contention for another title, Soto reportedly rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer by the Nationals during the 2022 season. The rejection led to Washington dealing Soto to San Diego a few months later so that they could retain substantial value for the young superstar before he fit free agency.
Soto ended up on the Yankees this season after being traded by the Padres last December for similar reasons. Unfortunately, Soto’s hockey fandom was apparently dealt along with him.
