MILWAUKEE — Jawing at an opponent?
Cursing at … someone?
Nah. At least not according to New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker.
Inside the Mets’ clubhouse after they beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-4, Tuesday to take Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, Winker wanted reporters to know that any hint of apparent drama that appeared while passing shortstop Willy Adames was, in fact, a nothingburger.
“For the record,” Winker said, “I was chewing gum.”
Hmm. OK. Well, it sure seemed like Winker had said something during the second inning as he rounded first base, continued to second and made it safely to third for a two-run triple. He deliberately turned his head as he neared the bag, which was where Adames was positioned.
“Rounding first, I was watching (Pete Alonso) and (Mets third base coach Mike Sarbaugh) the whole time,” Winker said. “Watching them. As soon as I saw Sarby’s windmill, I put my attention and focus on second, and was like, I am going to third. That’s all that happened.
“If y’all think I am able to run and talk, you don’t know my athletic abilities. Can’t do that.”
After the play, Winker and Adames appeared to jaw back and forth at one another.
Jesse Winker and Willy Adames chirping at each other after Winker tied the game. 👀
pic.twitter.com/tpmYA5hFm9— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 1, 2024
“I don’t know what was going through his head, but he started saying some stuff and I said something back,” Adames told reporters. “I think that’s the kind of player he is. It is what it is.
“It was surprising that he would say some stuff. But I guess that’s part of his personality. It was a little bit of a surprise to me. But we don’t back off.”
Winker already had drawn the ire of Brewers fans. Every plate appearance, they boo him. Winker played for the Brewers last season, and struggled through 197 plate appearances with a .567 OPS. Things are a lot better for Winker with New York, which acquired him at the deadline. After Winker had dealt with a back issue for the last few days, Mendoza plugged him into the lineup because of his history against Freddy Peralta (6-for-18, two home runs heading into Tuesday). J.D. Martinez later replaced Winker, but Winker said after the game that he felt fine.
Mendoza’s move to roll with Winker paid off — with some emotion on top. Winker declined to get into what was said between him and Adames.
“I don’t really want to speak on it,” Winker said. “I just want to focus on the game tomorrow.”
(Top photo of Jesse Winker following through on an RBI triple on Tuesday: Aaron Gash / MLB Photos via Getty Images)
