New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto recently responded to comments made by manager Carlos Mendoza regarding his effort on the basepaths during the team's 3-1 defeat to the Boston Red Sox. This criticism came after Soto hit a ball off the famed Green Monster at Fenway Park but ended up with a single instead of a potential double, as he did not hustle out of the batter's box.

Following the game, Soto defended his effort, stating, "I think I've been hustling pretty hard. If you see it today, you could tell." Mendoza had indicated that they would need to have a discussion about Soto's hustle on that play, emphasizing the significance of taking advantage of hits in such a challenging ballpark with its unique wall structure. He remarked, "He thought he had it. In this ballpark with that wall right there, you gotta get out of the box. We'll discuss that."

Historically, hitting a well-placed ball off the Green Monster often results in at least a double, but Soto's moment of admiration for his hit, believing it might go out of the park, ultimately cost him a chance at extra bases. In the game, Soto finished with a 1-for-4 performance, which brought his batting average to .246. This scrutiny followed similar concerns raised after the Mets' 8-2 loss to the Yankees the previous day, where Soto also faced questions regarding his baserunning after grounding out. In that instance, Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu made a sliding backhand grab and made a throw from his knees, leading to debates about whether Soto could have beaten the throw with greater effort. In what is turning out to be a challenging first season with the Mets, Soto's current statistics show a .246 batting average, which is tied for the second-lowest of his career, alongside a .376 on-base percentage — his lowest to date.