When the Mets lost to the Dodgers in October, sure, there was disappointment, but also a big-picture sense of accomplishment and little criticism. It was a job well done for 2024.

When the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in October, they were treated as if they were the White Sox — inept losers. Their first World Series appearance in 15 years will not be remembered as triumph, but rather failure.

For the Mets, those gentler times are now gone. Juan Soto brought not just himself from The Bronx. Because of the scope of his talent and record contract, he brought the Yankees’ rings-or-misery reality with him.

And it wasn’t as if at Soto’s introductory press conference Thursday any of the important principals diminished the flames.