New York Yankees wins a thriller in Seattle, securing 59th trip to playoffs in franchise history.
In Seattle, drenched in a mix of celebratory alcohol, Juan Soto stood in the midst of a chaotic celebration, proudly reflecting on the fun and team spirit he’s found with the Yankees. Soto joined the team with the goal of leading baseball’s most iconic franchise back to the playoffs, and now that mission has been accomplished.
The Yankees clinched a postseason spot after a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday night. Soto, clearly in high spirits, sprayed his teammates with champagne and beer, while also getting drenched himself. At one point, he even broke out into a dance as his favorite song played in the locker room.
“We believe in each other,” Soto said. “That’s why I think we can go all the way—because we trust in one another. Nobody tries to be a hero; we just focus on doing our jobs and winning games.”
Soto’s addition to the team was a crucial turning point for the Yankees, who are celebrating their return to the postseason after missing out last year. The team is hoping for even more success ahead. It’s been 15 years since the Yankees made it to the World Series, but this enthusiastic group believes the journey is far from over.
“We know there’s more work to do. We want the division,” said Yankees captain Aaron Judge. “But getting back to the postseason after missing out last year means a lot. This is a special group, and everyone is excited.”
The Yankees currently hold the best record in the American League at 89-63, with a five-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East and 10 games left in the regular season.
“We’ve faced a lot this year,” said manager Aaron Boone. “This is just the first step, but an important one. We’re in the dance now.”
Signs of a promising season were evident as early as February in Tampa, Florida, where key players showed up for training ahead of schedule. The major trade that brought Soto to the team during the Winter Meetings had fans dreaming big.
