Livescore
Since his arrival to Queens, Jesse Winker has been a revelation for the Mets. Saturday against the Chicago White Sox was no different as the outfielder tallied three hits, including a home run, drove in two and scored a run to help New York beat the White Sox, 5-3.
But even before he came over from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline to don the orange and blue, Winker, undoubtedly, had a special connection to the Mets.
It all started in 2019, playing for the Cincinnati Reds, when he hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning that won the Reds the first game of the series. Two games later, he made a diving catch in foul territory for the last out and waved goodbye to fans in the stands at Citi Field, evidently content to play the villain role.
Just like that, Winker became public enemy No. 1.
Except, Winker didn’t think of it that way. During that whole series, the 31-year-old was seen getting into it with Mets fans – his new nemeses, at least to them – but it always seemed playful and lighthearted. Not once did it divulge into vitriol and anger.
The new heel of New York eventually left Cincinnati, but returned to Citi Field in 2022 as a member of the Seattle Mariners. Before that series began, Winker was asked about his relationship with Mets fans.
“I love them,” he said. “They are an amazing group of people. They are very passionate about their team and their city. The thing we’ve got going on is special.”
Winker then proceeded to hit .417 during the three-game series and the love-hate relationship continued. He visited Citi Field once more in 2023 on the Milwaukee Brewers and tormented New York once again, batting .364.
Clearly, Winker enjoyed playing in front of Mets fans. So, when he was traded from the Nats to play for New York instead of against, the outfielder was thrilled.
During his time as a Met, Winker has played extremely well, slashing .342/.364/.493 with two home runs and nine RBI. Lately, though, he’s turned it on even more with eight hits in his last 11 at-bats.
“He’s locked in right now. Quality at-bat after quality at-bat,” said manager Carlos Mendoza after the game.
Not only has Winker proved to be a valuable asset offensively, but his energy on and off the field has also been terrific and fits seamlessly with the team. That energy was none more apparent on his pinch-hit, walk-off home run against the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 21 where he practically lost it before even reaching first base, saying afterwards that he blacked out in the moment.
Since then, Winker is 11-for-22 while not starting every day and had another huge hit in the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks that helped win a game.
Mendoza is right, he is locked in.
“Just trying to put the barrel on the ball. Keep things simple and just hit it hard somewhere,” Winker said on Saturday.
Lately, that’s been working and the Mets need everything they can get out of Winker as they enter September just two games behind the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot.
With just 26 games remaining, New York, left for dead by so many at various points this season, is still in the thick of a playoff race with the once-villain leading the way. And if you ask Winker, he likes the Mets’ chances as much as anybody’s.
“It’s the best time of year. [I’m] definitely excited and I like our chances a lot. Just keep going one day at a time,” he said.
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