As free agency approaches, Juan Soto leads the Yankees to the World Series.

 CLEVELAND — The man who knows Juan Soto best had no doubts as he watched his son stand in the batter's box at Progressive Field. With two runners on, two outs, and the game tied in the 10th inning, a classic showdown between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians was unfolding in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. The Yankees were just one win away from their first World Series appearance in 15 years, and Soto was poised for another moment of glory. Juan Soto Sr. was confident his son would deliver.

Soto began with his signature shuffle after taking the first pitch for a ball. He engaged in a stare-down after fouling off four straight pitches, displaying his determination to not give in. The elder Soto felt it—his son was in his element.

"That’s what he does: He performs in the clutch," he said in Spanish. "He works under pressure. I was completely confident. I knew something was going to happen in that at-bat."

What happened was a moment for the ages: Soto launched a three-run homer on the first fastball he saw from Hunter Gaddis, a 95 mph offering that soared over the center field wall, propelling the Yankees to a 5-2 victory and their first World Series appearance since 2009. They now await the winner of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It's a great feeling to hit that homer and give the team the lead," Soto said. "I came through big time."

Soto's homer marked the second extra-inning home run to clinch a postseason series in Yankees history, joining Aaron Boone's iconic shot in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox. It also marked Soto's 10th career postseason home run, tying him for second most in MLB history for a player before his 26th birthday. Soto will turn 26 on Friday, the same day as Game 1 of the World Series.

"I remember just going, 'Oh my God,'" Yankees general manager Brian Cashman recalled. "I did the prayer sign. We knew we had to put them down in the bottom of the inning because these guys don’t go easy."

Luke Weaver handled that task, working around a single to secure a clean inning and redeem himself after a blown save in Game 3. The game began with the Guardians taking a 2-0 lead, scoring in the second and fifth innings against Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.

Setting the stage for the Yankees' other postseason hero, Giancarlo Stanton came to the plate in the sixth inning with Gleyber Torres on third and two outs. Tanner Bibee, who had been dominant with 5⅔ scoreless innings, had struck out Stanton twice previously. Facing an 0-2 count, Stanton refused to chase three straight pitches that missed the mark.

Finally, he got a slider from Bibee that hung over the plate and crushed it, sending the ball 446 feet away at an impressive 117.5 mph. It was Stanton's third consecutive game with a home run, all coming with two strikes, and his 16th in 36 career postseason games—moving him past Aaron Judge and Babe Ruth for third most in Yankees history.

Soto & Stanton in Historic Yankees Company

Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton are now the third pair of Yankees teammates to each hit three home runs in the same postseason series, joining legends Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra in the 1956 World Series and Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth in the 1928 World Series.

Series Teammates Opponent
2024 ALCS Soto & Stanton Guardians
1956 WS Mantle & Berra Dodgers
1928 WS Gehrig & Ruth Cardinals

"It's a special moment for me," Stanton, who was named ALCS MVP, said. "It's a special time. But this isn’t the trophy I want. I want the next one."

Stanton spoke amid celebrations from teammates, coaches, and family, with Yankees fans chanting players' names and occasionally shouting, "Re-sign Soto!"

Soto’s impending free agency has loomed since the Yankees traded several talented players for him in December, believing the investment was worthwhile after a disappointing 82-80 season. He was seen as the ideal complement to Aaron Judge and a proven postseason performer.

"We need him to stay," Stanton said. "He's going to stay. We need to bring it home, and then we'll bring him home also."

As Cashman noted, "That was the whole purpose of going all-in. We gave up a lot, and it was a one-year deal for a lot of money. It was a big chess move designed to increase our chances. And it did."

Those chances surged on Saturday as Soto adhered to his unwavering approach at the plate, whether it’s February in spring training or the high stakes of October. Every plate appearance is a battle—an opportunity to intimidate the pitcher with each shuffle, each stare-down, each swing.

In the 10th inning, Soto faced one of baseball's top relievers and won. When the ball landed, the Yankees dugout erupted, with players spilling onto the field. Soto paused halfway down the first-base line, turned to his team, and pounded his chest twice with both hands. The ballpark fell silent, except for pockets of Yankees fans.

"I've wanted it since day one," Soto said, recalling his championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019. "I’ve said it since spring training: Give me every hard moment. Give me every tough at-bat. I’m going to step up to the plate and try to do my best."

His father watched from the stands, confident as ever.

"I was confident," the elder Soto said. "He was waiting for his pitch because he wasn’t going to go with the pitcher's pitch. And like he told me, if he makes a mistake or if he repeats it two times, it’s gone. And that’s how it went."