Je se Winker first made a name for himself with Mets fans in 2019, when he waved to Citi Field fans after a key homer off Edwin Diaz and again after a sliding catch that sealed a win for the Reds leading to several choruses of boos. He pulled a similar move Wednesday night although this time, the fans didnt mind, as Winker, a trade deadline acquisition from Washington, did it after a first-inning grand slam As Winker headed back to the dugout with the Mets up 4-0, he smiled and waved to the crowd behind the plate. Je se Winker is greeted by Brandon Nimmo after he he hit a grand slam in the first inning of the Mets 8-3 win over the Red Sox on Sept. 4, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Afterward, though, his focus was on what brought him to the Mets in the first place. You just want to do your part, Winker said. I feel like every game Ive been here has had a playoff vibe because theyre so meaningful to us. And thats carried over to the fans. Its incredible, Winker said. The energy in our stadium every night is unmatched. Explore More Hes now seen it from both sides. I dont go on the field to have fan interactions, Winker said before the game. Have they happened in my career? Yes. But I came here to help the team win. On Wednesday, he walked and scored after hitting his Jonathan Cheechoo Jersey 14th homer of the season. And hes hoping to experience October at Citi Field, where he has a unique perspective of why it could be an advantage for the Mets. Je se Winker of the Mets reacts after he scores on his grand slam during the first inning on Sept. 4, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Ive been playful with the fans when Ive been here with other teams, but I know how tough it is to come in here and win a game, Winker said. Definitely, having their support and being on the Mets has been amazing.Theyre pa sionate and care about the team and Im thankful to here. While Winker has been solid as a Met, with a .772 OPS since his arrival compared to a .793 OPS with the Nationals earlier in the season, hes struggled at Citi Field this season. He entered Wednesday with a .569 OPS at Citi Field, his lowest number of any park hes had more than three plate appearances in during the 2024 season. Je se Winker of the Metsis greeted by Mark Vientos #27 of the New York Mets after he scores on his grand slam during the first inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post But the team has played well, especially of late, and Winker has continued to get at-bats against right-handers. Hes looking for more down the stretch and expects the same from the fans that once gave him a hard time. They impact the game, for sure, Winker said. Theyre in every pitch and they care. This is definitely a hard place to come in and play: Its windy, its about to start getting cooler and it might be raining. On top of that, theres 40,000 rowdy people. Its fun. It just feels louder here. Its cool. Ive been in the playoffs and any player dreams of getting there, said Winker, who appeared in the 2020 NLDS with the Reds and last year with Milwaukee, losing in two games both times. After I got traded here, all Ive wanted to do is get back. Nico Sturm Jersey