Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker has had a fantastic season, putting together a .322/.400/.587 slash line with 19 home runs. He’s been particularly remarkable vs right-handed pitching, blasting 18 dingers with a 1.140 OPS and an MLB-best .364 batting average.
Winker was very deserving of his first trip to the MLB All-Star Game, and fans recognized that.
On Thursday night, it was announced that Winker — along with teammate Nick Castellanos — was voted into the All-Star Game as a starting outfielder for the National League team.
🌟 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗 🌟
Congrats to Jesse Winker on being named a starting outfielder for the National League in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game! It will be his first career All-Star appearance. pic.twitter.com/x0feKt8rBh
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 2, 2021
The Reds Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker have both been voted All-Star starters. Standing ovation for them at GABP as they walk off the field. #Reds pic.twitter.com/P3DseMoHVF
— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) July 2, 2021
After Thursday’s game against the San Diego Padres (which the Reds won in comeback, walk-off fashion), Winker met with the media. In an emotional, awesome press conference, a choked-up Winker expressed his appreciation for receiving fan votes.
Winker: “It means a lot. I want to say thank you to everybody that voted for me. You know what, man, I never thought this could happen for me. I’m very thankful. Thank you to everybody. It means a lot to me.”
"I never thought this could happen for me."
An emotional Jesse Winker thanks the fans for all of the All-Star votes. pic.twitter.com/zK8u5utUm2
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 2, 2021
That’s great stuff.
Congratulations to Winker on his first All-Star appearance, and great work by the fans to get him into the game as a starter.
