Juan Soto joins Babe Ruth in baseball lore, mirrors his 1926 MLB masterpiece

Yankees’ Juan Soto has entered the MLB record books etching his name alongside Babe Ruth‘s iconic 1926 feat following his homer against the Astros on Wednesday.

According to OptaSTATS, Juan Soto has achieved a unique feat. He is the first MLB player since Babe Ruth in 1926 to record 49 hits, 33 RBI, 26 walks, nine home runs, four stolen bases, and 25 team wins in the first 38 games of a season. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy because RBI only became part of the official statistics in 1920.

Juan Soto in 38 games for the @Yankees this season:

49 hits, 33 RBI, 26 walks, 9 HR, 4 SB, 25 wins

Since RBI became an official stat in 1920, the only other MLB player (on any team) to reach all of those numbers over his first 38 games of a season was Babe Ruth in 1926. pic.twitter.com/oTlZ5GMMQ1
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 9, 2024

Juan Soto on a roll in pinstripes

The New York Yankees have an impressive history of acquiring legendary sluggers through trades, and their latest acquisition in the offseason has proven to be another successful move.

In December, the Yankees traded for Juan Soto, a 25-year-old three-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, just a year after he was traded away by the Washington Nationals. Since joining the Yankees, Soto has continued to showcase his exceptional hitting skills.

On Wednesday, Juan Soto played a crucial role in the Yankees’ 9-4 victory over the Houston Astros. He had a remarkable performance, going 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI.

Being mentioned alongside Babe Ruth in the history books is a remarkable achievement. Ruth, who held the home run record for 39 years, remains one of the most iconic figures in baseball history.

Yankees legend Babe Ruth hit three home runs in World Series Game 4 against the Cardinals at St. Louis' Sportsman Park on October 6, 1926. — Baseball Hall of Fame Library

Yankees' Juan Soto at the plate on April 26, 2024. — Baseball Hall of Fame Library

During his career, Ruth won four World Series championships with the Yankees and three with the Boston Red Sox. Juan Soto already has one World Series title under his belt from his time with the Nationals. If he can match or surpass Ruth’s championship total while wearing the iconic pinstripes, the Yankees’ front office and fans will undoubtedly be thrilled with their latest trade acquisition.

Here's one more wild Juan Soto stat:

With two walks today, Soto has 668 walks in his career.

He's tied with #Yankees legend Mickey Mantle for the most walks by a player before his 26th birthday in MLB history.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) May 10, 2024

As the season progresses, there is still ample time for Juan Soto to continue accumulating impressive statistics and help lead the Yankees to postseason success. Currently, the Yankees are tied for the most wins in the American League with 25. The slugger has been a significant contributor to their success, boasting a .338 batting average, a 1.023 OPS, and a 2.1 WAR.

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