STEPHEN A. Smith has broken down in tears of joy live on First Take.
During Friday’s show, Smith was visibly joyous as he discussed the New York Yankees‘ trade for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Soto was acquired by the Yankees on Wednesday in a monster seven-player deal.
Still only 25 years old, Soto is a three-time All-Star and two-time All-MLB First-Teamer, as well as a World Champion and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
In response to the arrival of the decorated Dominican at his beloved Yankees, an elated Smith wiped away tears (or at least pretended to) on-air before declaring: “I love everybody!”
“Last year, I watched my New York Yankees have their worst record, their worst season, in 31 years.
“I watched an offense that batted cumulatively, collectively, .227 which was the second lowest average in the majors to the Oakland A’s whose about to leave Oakland for [Las] Vegas eventually.”
Smith went on to claim his prayers had been answered with the arrival of “big time” Soto.
He delightedly continued: “We’re talking about a one-two punch of him and The Judge himself, Aaron Judge.”
Looking ahead, Smith also added: “The Yankees are coming back!”
And it seems Smith wasn’t the only fan to feel this way about the trade.
Another responded to the clip on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Me when I found out about Juan Soto.”
A second said: “All of us Yankee fans when the news broke.”
However, not all were as optimistic, with one fan adding: “Yeah that’s what we thought in San Diego. Let’s see if those tears are the same kind of tears in a year shall we?”
While a fourth glumly said: “Acting like the Yankees aren’t still going to be a disappointment.”
The 2020 NL Batting Champion, Soto finished last season having hit .275, 35 homers, and 109 runs batted in.
He also led the MLB in walks with 132.
Clik here to view.
