New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto was left off the 2025 MLB All-Star Game roster, sparking an intense debate surrounding the reasons behind his omission. On July 16, longtime Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay criticized Mets fans, arguing that their failure to vote was a key factor in Soto’s All-Star snub despite his strong season performance.
The discussion unfolded shortly after the All-Star team announcements, with many Mets fans expressing frustration online at the absence of their $765 million star in Atlanta’s showcase event. Instead of siding with the disgruntled fanbase or placing blame solely on MLB, Michael Kay chose to highlight a contradiction: Mets fans showed plenty of passion on social media but did not translate that enthusiasm into actual votes.
Michael Kay Holds Mets Fans Accountable for Missing Votes
Michael Kay’s remarks on The Michael Kay Show focused sharply on the voting behavior of Mets supporters. Kay questioned,
If New York Mets fans wanted Juan Soto in the All-Star Game so badly, why didn’t they vote him in?
He emphasized that vocal criticism of any negative comments about Soto seemed inconsistent when those same fans did not participate in the voting process.
They go crazy if you say anything negative about their player… so why did not they all vote?
he asked, pointing to the gap between online outrage and actual fan action.
Kay also expressed strong disappointment in how Soto finished in the voting results, declaring,
He should not have been allowed to finish fourth,
and adding,
He should have finished second or third.
This criticism dug deeper into the implications of fan engagement, or the lack thereof.
Continuing his critique, Kay revisited his earlier comments about Soto’s attitude during the Subway Series, which had angered some Mets fans.
Those same people who send angry screams at me… shouldn’t they have been voting over and over for Juan Soto?
Kay stated, drawing a contrast between the fervor needed to support their star player and their reaction to his commentary.
Highlighting Soto’s outstanding June performance, where he recorded a 1.196 OPS and claimed National League Star of the Month honors, Kay stressed that the early-season perception gap hindered Soto’s recognition. He also referenced how Mets fans had rallied effectively in past voting efforts, such as for Francisco Lindor, saying,
They stepped up for Lindor. They did not step up for Soto.
For Kay, the failure to vote was part of a broader failure involving multiple parties.
Met fans deserve blame. Players deserve blame. Major League Baseball deserves blame,
he asserted, underscoring the complexity of the issue. Kay concluded emphatically by questioning Soto’s absence from the All-Star stage,
He’s one of the greatest hitters who ever lived. How was he not on that stage?
Juan Soto’s Season Performance Demands Recognition Despite Clutch Concerns
Though not selected for the All-Star Game, Juan Soto’s production after the initial part of the season has been exceptional. Over a six-week stretch since June, Soto has maintained a slash line of .311/.455/.659, helping raise his overall OPS to .908, ranking eighth best in the National League. Baseball analyst Jeff Passan noted Soto’s value on ESPN’s Get Up, stating,
He’s on pace for 6.5 WAR… right in line with his career norms.
These numbers support Soto’s credentials as a top-tier player worthy of All-Star status.
However, concerns remain around his performance in high-pressure situations, one aspect where expectations weigh heavily. ESPN’s David Schoenfield highlighted troubling statistics: Soto is hitting just .183 with runners in scoring position and a low .176 with men on base. During these critical moments, his OPS falls to .783, which is below the threshold expected of an MVP-caliber player.
This issue is not isolated to Soto alone; the Mets collectively ranked fourth-worst in MLB with a .230 batting average with runners in scoring position at the All-Star break. Francisco Lindor’s .224 average in similar situations further reflects these team struggles.
Despite these challenges, optimism exists. Advanced Statcast metrics show Soto’s expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) is a striking .455, second only to Aaron Judge’s mark. This suggests he is making quality contact that could soon translate into improved results in clutch moments.
Schoenfield summarized the situation well, emphasizing the importance of the second half of the season:
He’s expected to carry the team when others aren’t coming through.
With the fiercely competitive NL East race ongoing, the real question has shifted from Soto’s All-Star snub to whether he will rise to the occasion when it counts.
The All-Star Snub Sparks Reflection on Fan Engagement and MLB’s Role
Michael Kay’s pointed critique of Mets fans for their lack of voting participation has intensified the conversation around Juan Soto’s absence from the midsummer classic. While some fans bristled at the comments, the data on voting patterns reveals a disconnect between vocal support and active involvement.
Beyond fan responsibility, the broader picture also includes MLB and other stakeholders’ roles in recognizing and promoting talent. Kay’s statement implicates all parties involved, noting a collective failure to ensure that a player of Soto’s caliber receives the opportunities reflective of his abilities.
As the season progresses, attention inevitably turns to how Juan Soto will perform on the field during the crucial stretch run. The outcome of his efforts could influence the perception of this All-Star snub and potentially secure his legacy in New York Queens.
Whether Mets fans ultimately failed Juan Soto or if the snub indicates deeper issues within MLB’s All-Star selection system remains an open debate. The next chapters of Soto’s 2025 season will be vital in answering these questions and clarifying his impact on the Mets’ quest to overtake the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.