Jesse Winker gets last laugh, slams helmet after extending Mets’ lead in unreal wild-card moment

· New York Post

MILWAUKEE — Jesse Winker, essentially a wrestling villain, is hated by plenty of fans. 

It is not just the Brewers fan base that despises the Mets DH/outfielder, though: The opposing club did not appear to care for him. 

Winker, who was a short-lived and struggling Brewer in 2023, emerged as a heel and got the last laugh in Thursday’s come-from-behind, series-winning, 4-2 victory in Game 3 at American Family Field. 

Jesse Winker slams his helmet after scoring in the ninth inning on Oct. 3. Getty Images
Jesse Winker’s run gave the Mets a 4-2 lead in the ninth inning on Oct. 3. Getty Images

Winker, who exchanged heated words with Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames in Game 1, again was in the middle of the action.

Booed relentlessly each time he stepped to the plate, Winker stepped in against Devin Williams in the ninth inning two batters after Pete Alonso’s blast put the Mets in front. 

And sure enough, Winker was drilled, just as he was by Frankie Montas on Friday and just as he was plunked by Tobias Myers in the fifth inning.

Jesse Winker and the Mets defeated the Brewers in Game 3 on Oct. 3. Getty Images

Winker, who seems to thrive on the jeers, then swiped second and got up slowly, checked on by manager Carlos Mendoza and a trainer.

He has had a sore back that required an MRI on Friday. 

Winker remained in the game and soon chugged around third and dove head-first home on a single from Starling Marte. After scoring the insurance run, Winker rose and spiked his helmet — shattering it in the process — and walked back to the visiting dugout as boos showered down on him. 

Of course, that is how this series would end for Winker, who exchanged fighting words with Adames on Tuesday. Adames told The Post’s Jon Heyman that he waited in the stadium parking lot to settle differences after that game, just as he had threatened to do.