Juan Soto hits first home run as Mets player at Citi Field: How long did it take Shohei Ohtani to do so at Dodger Stadium?

Juan Soto electrified the crowd at Citi Field with his first home run in a New York Mets uniform. The Dominican slugger finally delivered in front of the New York faithful, launching a solo shot that brought the home crowd to its feet. The homer also marked the Mets’ first run against the Arizona Diamondbacks, though it came after a longer wait than expected, especially when compared to the early impact of Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Carrying the weight of the most lucrative contract in U.S. sports history, Soto entered the season under immense pressure. His initial performances fell short of expectations, but this home run could mark the turning point in his tenure with the Mets and spark a breakout campaign.

Soto had previously hit his first home run of the regular season during the second game, but it came on the road. That early blast was a statement of intent, showing his deal wasn’t just hype. Still, his inability to follow it up in the games that followed raised some concerns.

Before this long-awaited shot at Citi Field, Soto had managed only three home runs in total, leaving fans anxious for more. It took 15 home games and 32 total appearances for him to go deep in front of the home crowd, but when it finally happened, the moment was worth the wait.

How long did it take Shohei Ohtani to hit his first home run at Dodger Stadium?

On the other hand, one of the MLB’s biggest stars didn’t take long to justify the Dodgers’ major investment. After six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers in 2024 and quickly proved the front office right.

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In his debut season with the team, Ohtani captured the regular-season MVP award. His dominance on the field was a statement of intent, and he played a pivotal role in helping the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series title.

Ohtani hit his first home run as a Dodger in his ninth game with the team, and his eighth appearance at Dodger Stadium. The milestone came on April 3, 2024, in a game against the San Francisco Giants.

How long did it take Juan Soto to homer with the Yankees?

After two seasons with the San Diego Padres, Soto made the high-profile move to the New York Yankees in 2024. He wasted no time making an impact, hitting his first home run with the team in just his third game, against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.

Soto’s first long ball at Yankee Stadium came a few days later, on April 8, 2024, against the Miami Marlins. By that point, he had already driven in seven runs and hit two homers, quickly proving that his arrival was more than just hype, it was the beginning of a new era in the Bronx.