Olympia alum Jesse Winker hits first MLB home runs -- Observer Preps

Olympia High alum Jesse Winker's first home run as a big leaguer was memorable in more ways than one.

Winker, who was recalled by the Cincinnati Reds for a fourth time this season August 1, homered that day in the Reds' road game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While any player's first home run in Major League Baseball is a big deal, Winker made his viral with what he did when he returned to the dugout. It is an unwritten rule of MLB that when a player hits his first home run, he will be ignored by his teammates once he returns to the dugout. Knowing this, Winker high-fived and celebrated with imaginary teammates, something that was caught on camera.

Winker must have enjoyed the feeling of hitting a home run in MLB, because he did so again the next day. Winker's seventh-inning home run August 2 broke a tie and helped power the Reds to a 5-2 victory over the Pirates to secure a series win.

When first breaking into the big leagues, it is not uncommon for players to go up-and-down from Triple-A to MLB, and that has been the case in 2017 with Winker (his MLB debut was April 14).

In 25 plate appearances with the Reds, Winker is hitting .280 with a .400 on-base percentage, to go along with six RBIs and two home runs.

Hailing from Windermere, Winker graduated from Olympia in 2012.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].