When Juan Soto inked a $765 million deal with the New York Mets, he encountered a minor hurdle in retaining his beloved No. 22 jersey, a number he had sported since his debut with the Washington Nationals in 2018. The obstacle, however, took the form of Brett Baty, a 25-year-old third baseman for the Mets who had been wearing No. 22 since his call-up in 2022.
In a heartwarming turn of events following a chat between the two players in January, Baty selflessly decided to relinquish his number to Soto. Yet, this gesture did not go unnoticed, as Soto reciprocated with an astonishing token of appreciation. On a memorable day at the team’s Spring Training facility, Soto surprised Baty by presenting him with a shiny new SUV.
Expressing his gratitude, Soto remarked in a video to Baty, “I really appreciate the number. It’s the first one I ever wore.” Meanwhile, Baty, embracing a fresh start this season, chose to switch to No. 7 as a tribute to his childhood idols, José Reyes and Joe Mauer.
Reflecting on their exchange, Baty voiced his contentment, saying, “I’m happy he’s the one. Out of anyone in the league, like, the best hitter in the league? I’d love for him to wear that number.”
This heartwarming exchange between Soto and Baty echoes a similar act of generosity from the past year, where the wife of former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly, Ashley, offered Shohei Ohtani her husband’s No. 17 if he were to join the team. True to the spirit of giving, Ohtani reciprocated by gifting a new Porsche once he officially became a Dodgers player.
