NEW YORK - Fans stood up and restored a rare taunt for Juan Soto's Yankee Stadium, responding by taking off his helmet, tilting it into the crowd, and then touching it into his heart.

Soto turned down a 16-year, $760 million offer from the Yankees and received a $765 million contract with the Mets, Soto, the center of attention for the Bronx, wore a bright orange wristband.

"I talked to him a few days ago and he was ready. He knew what to expect," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said before losing to the Yankees on Friday night's 6-2 Metro series. "He just had to enjoy it, embrace it and be himself."

Soto had a quiet night when he returned. He walked in the first three games, scored on Brandon Nimmo's fourth single, dropped in seventh place, and hit the ending flight with two games. He made a weak three-hop throw on Anthony Volpe's 243-foot sacrifice fly.

Many bleach creatures turn around as Soto jogs to the right field at the first bottom. Fans threw it back onto the field, prompting cheers when he grabbed Cody Bellinger's end flight in eighth and threw the ball into the seat.

The Mets were behind, and owner Steve Cohen left the second row seat in the seventh inning.

Yankees fans want Soto to stay in their roster and lead Judge Aaron. New York acquired Soto from San Diego in December 2023, and he helped the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009.

Both teams bring their divisions to the first of the six subway series of matches this season. The Yankees were in the Eastern Conference of the American League 26-18, while the Mets were in the Eastern Conference of the National League 28-17.

"This year is obviously unique because of all the news and storylines around Juan over the past few years, so you know that it will increase its intensity," said Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

Soto entered 43 games with an average of 0.255 hits, 8 home runs, 20 RBIs and 0.845 OPS, up from the same number of games last year from 0.313, 9 home runs, 34 RBIs and 0.947 OPS.

Last year, he hit the .288 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 129 walks, beating second place in the commands of the 21st century version of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Soto hit a burst of home runs against Cleveland in the AL Championship Series opener, earning a three-round home run in the tenth inning and winning the Guardian in Game 5.

"Juan obviously only stayed here for a year, but what he meant to the team last year was huge," pitcher Clay Holmes said. "He's in town. Some people may not like that."

Soto received his first boo about an hour ago, when he headed to the right field during a batting practice, blocking the shot back in Ken Griffey Jr's style.

“I had a nice seat when I came here in Houston in 2022 and I felt booing loudly and those guys lifted the game,” said Mendoza, Boone’s coach from 2018 to 2023. “Someone can handle it, it’s Juan Soto.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.