Yankees praise Soto after series-winning HR: 'At-bat for the ages'

Juan Soto delivered the biggest hit of the New York Yankees' season on Saturday, sending them to the World Series with a game-winning home run in extra innings to defeat the Cleveland Guardians.

Soto's teammates and manager praised him for the effort and gave the star outfielder his flowers for a tremendous first season in the Bronx.

"Juan, just an at-bat for the ages," Aaron Boone said following New York's 5-2 win, according to SNY.

Boone added: "It's not surprising, either, that he does it. That's just who he is. He's so good at seizing the moment."

Soto's dramatic at-bat came against Guardians right-hander Hunter Gaddis in the 10th inning. He fouled off four straight pitches from the normally dominant reliever before crushing the game-winner to dead center.

"In the biggest moments, that's what he does," Boone said. "It shouldn't be taken for granted."

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole also complimented his teammate's effort.

"He loves these moments," Cole said, according to YES Network. "He's so prepared because he takes every at-bat like he took this at-bat tonight. He looks like he just sleepwalks right through it and drills a ball to dead center."

Soto is a pending free agent, and fans have made it very obvious they want him to stay in New York, chanting "re-sign Soto" after his dramatic Game 5 homer.

His teammates Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Giancarlo Stanton agree with the sentiment.

"We need him to stay. He's going to stay," Stanton, the ALCS MVP, said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

"We need to bring it home, and then we'll bring him home also."