Juan Soto isn't a five-time All-Star yet.
New York Mets fans have a reason to be indignant about the All-Star Game once again.
Yes, shortstop Francisco Lindor is finally making his first appearance for the National League in year five with the club. First baseman Pete Alonso earned his fifth selection as well. But the newest Met was left out of the fun.
Outfielder Juan Soto, a four-time All-Star with the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees, failed to make the initial All-Star roster as a reserve in the first year of his 15-year, $765 million contract.
There is still a chance Soto could be named as an injury replacement, though Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll's return to the lineup takes away the easiest potential path. There are usually a few opt-outs, as well.
After a scorching-hot June, it seemed like Soto would earn his way onto the roster. But ultimately, he says, it wasn't meant to be.
“Sometimes you’re gonna make it and sometimes you don’t,” Soto said on Sunday, per Dan Martin of the New York Post. “It’s just part of baseball.”
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Frankly, Soto has every right to be bitter. Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers never would have made it over him if there weren't a one-player-per-team requirement. And his .904 OPS is higher than all but one of the seven NL outfielders named ahead of him.
But Soto, when asked if he had done enough to make the team, took the high road.
“It looks like I didn’t. I’ve just got to be better," Soto replied, per Martin.
Unless something changes in the 11th hour, Soto will have to shift his focus to being one of the all-time great answers to the "somehow wasn't an All-Star" trivia question.
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