Fastball

New York Yankees Star Juan Soto Makes Baseball History as He Hits 26th Birthday

The Yankees star and free agent-to-be will play in Game 1 of the World Series on his 26th birthday.

Brady Farkas

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to media during workout day at Dodgers Stadium in 2024.
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) speaks to media during workout day at Dodgers Stadium in 2024. / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Major League Baseball finally returns on Friday night with the beginning of the 2024 World Series. The series will pit the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Yankees in a historic matchup. This is the 12th time that these two franchises have linked up in a championship setting, tying the record for most championship meetings in American pro sports (Lakers-Celtics).

The Yankees are seeking their first championship since the 2009 season while the Dodgers are looking for their first title since the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

If the Yankees are going to capture the title, they are likely going to need a big series from superstar outfielder Juan Soto. The sweet-swinging lefty helped send the Yankees to the World Series by hitting a three-run home in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians.

That came on the heels of an incredible regular season that saw Soto hit .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBI. He's likely to finish in the top three of American League MVP voting and he will command a deal of potentially $600 million this offseason as a free agent.

Game 1 of the World Series happens to fall on his 26th birthday, and Soto has made some incredible history already at his age.

Per @CodifyBaseball on social media:

Happy 26th Birthday to @JuanSoto25_ !

Most walks in MLB games before their 26th birthday:
Juan Soto, 769 < --- not a typo
Mickey Mantle, 668
Mel Ott, 626
Eddie Yost, 620
Bryce Harper, 585

The most disciplined hitter in the league, Soto is already a World Series champion (2019), a batting champion and a home run derby champion. He is a four-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger who had a .419 on-base percentage this season.

Game 1 of the World Series is set for 8:08 p.m. ET.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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