Jesse Winker teeth, explained: Why Mets outfielder wears grill during New York's playoff run

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders once said: "Look good, feel good, play good." Mets outfielder Jesse Winker seemingly has taken that to heart.

New York is in the midst of a 2024 postseason run, as the baseball club from Queens is aiming to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2015, and win the team's first championship since 1986. 

Winker has played a large part in the team's success. He was a deadline acquisition by the Mets in July, coming over from the Nationals. Since joining the team, he has carved out a spot on the depth chart, and has since been rewarded with a role in the postseason. 

The outfielder has delivered for the Mets so far. Winker has only appeared in two games so far, but he delivered during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies, smashing a solo home run early in the contest to extend New York's lead. That momentum gained from the upper-deck moonshot at Citi Field helped the Mets to a 7-2 win, taking a 2-1 series lead.

If Winker is feeling himself more than normal, it's completely warranted. The 31-year-old let a bit of his swagger shine — literally — after the Game 3 victory.

Here's what to know about Winker's teeth.

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Jesse Winker grill, explained

Winker was seen with a flashier smile than normal after Game 3 of the NLDS. 

The Mets outfielder sported a grill in his postgame media scrum, with his lower set of teeth dazzling with a bit of silver.

I got my mouth lookin somethin like a disco ball! Jesse Winker rocking the grill has gotta drive people insaneeeee. If he wasn’t on the Mets I’d hate it. He’s here, I love it. The best pic.twitter.com/l4fwXhtaNi

— KFC (@KFCBarstool) October 9, 2024

It's unclear what the motivation behind the grill was. Winker isn't known for sporting the teeth accessory and he did not address the reasoning behind the grill while wearing it. 

Still, it matches the swagger that Winker is carrying through this postseason. 

What MLB teams has Jesse Winker played for?

Winker is on the fifth team of his MLB career. 

The outfielder began his time in the majors in Cincinnati. Winker broke into the league with the Reds in 2017 and was a member of the team for five seasons, ending his time with the NL Central member in 2021.

Winker joined the Mariners for a season in 2022, and then returned to the NL Central by spending the 2023 season with the Brewers. He started this year in the nation's capital with the Nationals before joining the Mets midseason.

MORE: Explaining the Mets' playoff pumpkin

Jesse Winker stats

Winker has enjoyed a bit of a career resurgence after struggling in back-to-back seasons. He started the 2024 season with the Nationals, but was a trade deadline acquisition by the Mets. 

In 2024 with the Mets, the outfielder batted .243, contributing to his season batting average of .253. He had 14 home runs and 58 RBIs, including three dingers and 13 runs batted in with New York.