Son predicts Soto HR, dad snags it for Father's Day

WASHINGTON -- A Juan Soto rocket blast made this Father’s Day one to remember.

Nats fans Philip and Aidan Druhan from Bethesda, Md., were on the receiving end of Soto’s 428-foot home run in the second inning of Sunday's 9-3 win over the Phillies at Nationals Park, way up in the first row of the second deck in right field.

“We had to do something for Father’s Day,” said Aidan. “He works so hard, he does so much. You have to celebrate it, and I just wanted to show him how much we appreciate him and everything he does. So I was like, ‘We’re going to this game. We’re doing it. We’re going to sit up here …'”

“‘And you’re going to catch a home run ball,’” Philip finished the sentence.

Philip had been tired from a long day of work on Saturday when Aidan suggested the idea of going to the game the next afternoon. But Aidan was passionate about it, and he purchased tickets in the front row of section 239 around 9:30 p.m. specifically with Soto’s 14th homer of the season in mind. It landed right at their seats.

“It’s right in his power alley,” Aidan said.

Being the reason for a special father and son experience was meaningful for Soto. On Sunday, he wore specially-designed cleats that depicted him and his dad to show appreciation for his influence and their bond.

“It’s a moment that they might never forget, and I’m glad to be part of it,” said Soto. “It just feels amazing. It makes me feel [like] when I go to the games when I used to be a little kid and my dad just took me all over the place. He took me to my first professional game when I was six months old.”

Soto autographed the ball for the Druhans, who also snapped a photo with manager Dave Martinez after the game.

“I can’t put it into words,” said Aidan. “I got choked up in the moment [of the home run]. As soon as he caught that ball and as soon as we hugged right afterwards, it’s a lifelong memory.”