Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes, it feels like it’s aiming straight for your kneecap. For Jesse Winker, watching his family navigate brutal setbacks wasn’t just a lesson in resilience; it was a masterclass in perspective. And as it turns out, nothing quite reshapes your worldview like witnessing the people you love fight battles they never signed up for.

At the age of 31, Jesse Winker is still playing for the New York Mets and just signed a new deal. His life is all good now, but that wasn’t always the case.

During an interview with the New York Post, he revealed the biggest adversity he faced and overcame. And it was not about himself; he talked about his brothers. “My oldest brother [Joey] when he was a junior in high school, in the batting cage in our backyard, he broke his kneecap.”

And this kind of derailed his life.

Joey was catching a lot of Division 1 eyes. But had to settle for a small Division 1 school called Mercer University after the injury. He was drafted by the Dodgers but was never able to reach his full potential due to the injury.

Winker also talked about his other brother, Ryan. “My other brother Ryan, he was diagnosed with something called Crohn’s disease, I think it was, his sophomore summer going into his junior year of high school.” 

This had a major impact on Ryan’s health and life. From the age of 16 to date, he has been managing this disease, working hard, and leading a good life.

Watching what both his brothers went through, shaped the way he thinks and sees life. And after becoming a father, it deepened the respect he had for his parents.

Life doesn’t hand out participation trophies for adversity—you either rise or get run over. Jesse Winker didn’t just witness resilience; he studied it up close, and it rewired his perspective. Because the real game-changer is the ability to take a hit and keep swinging.

Jesse Winker is amped up to be playing with Juan Soto

If baseball had a VIP section, Juan Soto would already have bottle service. And now, Jesse Winker gets a front-row seat to the show.

Fresh off re-signing with the Mets, Winker isn’t just excited for another season. He’s downright fired up to share the field with one of the game’s elite hitters. Because let’s be honest – when you get to play alongside a guy like Soto, you’re not just a teammate—you’re a student of greatness.

And when you get the chance, you will grab it with both hands. That is exactly what Winker has done.

During an interview, he shared his thoughts on playing with Juan Soto. “Everything he’s done speaks for itself, right? This guy’s one of the best hitters in baseball if not the best hitter in baseball.”

And him being a left-hander excites Winker the most. Because he will be watching the day-in and day-out approach of one of the best players. When he was with the Nationals, he had heard great things about Juan Soto but now will be a live witness to it.

Clearly, it’s not just about sharing a locker room—he’s stepping into a masterclass on elite hitting. And if greatness is contagious, he’s in the perfect spot to catch it. Now, all that’s left is for him to turn that front-row ticket into a show of his own.