Luis Robert Jr. returned to Chicago on Friday, facing his former team, the White Sox, for the first time since his January trade to the New York Mets. He observed a markedly different atmosphere surrounding the White Sox, who were leading the American League Central and positioned for a potential playoff run, a stark contrast to the struggling teams he played on in his final seasons with the club.
"This is a team that will always have a special place in my heart," Robert said through an interpreter. "I keep tabs of the results of the games, and I am really proud to see how they are performing this season."
Robert, 29, played his first six major league seasons with the White Sox. His experience with the Mets this season has been challenging, mirroring his later years in Chicago with significant time lost to injury. He spent nearly three months on the injured list with a lumbar disc herniation before rejoining the Mets on July 20. Prior to Friday's game, he had a .652 OPS. The Mets, despite recent success, began the day 58-70 and trailed the final National League wild-card spot by 10 games.
"This season has been pretty similar to how other parts of my career have gone, where I have been hurt, where I have been off the field," Robert stated. "But right now I think the most important thing for me is to finish the season strong and go out there and try to be the best version of myself."
The Mets attempted to trade Robert before the Aug. 3 deadline but were unsuccessful. He has been receiving playing time as Juan Soto recovers from a calf strain. With rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing in the team's future plans and Soto under a long-term contract, Robert acknowledged the Mets are unlikely to exercise his $20 million option for the following season.
"When you are talking about the young guys, you are talking about guys who have a really bright future, who are really impactful," Robert said. "And then you have Juan Soto, who is a veteran, who is going to be here for a while. I think from the perspective of the outfield construction, [the future] is really bright."
Robert also played left field on Sunday, a position he had not previously played in his major league career, having exclusively appeared in center field. He played left field again for Friday's series opener, noting, "I have only played one game there and honestly I can say it was pretty easy. I didn’t get any balls hit to me, no fly balls, no ground balls. I hope there can be a little more activity or I can be a little more a part of the game out there."
In contrast to his tenure, the White Sox lost at least 100 games in each of Robert's final three seasons, including a record 121 losses in 2024. The franchise's turnaround is attributed to an infusion of young talent and the signing of slugger Munetaka Murakami.
"It doesn’t surprise me at all," Robert said of the White Sox's success. "Before I got traded in the offseason, I saw the moves they were making, the necessary moves to improve the team and that is what they are doing."
Robert went 1-for-3 with a double in the Mets' 6-4 loss to the White Sox on Friday at Rate Field, where the home team secured a walk-off victory.