Joey Votto: Cincinnati Reds’ prized asset
The All-Star first baseman Joey Votto has occupied central position in the Cincinnati Reds offence, making it one of the strongest in the National League. A slugger par excellence, he has – over the years, not only grabbed immense attention but also win
kudos for his brilliance.
Born on September 10, 1983, Votto made his debut back 2007, when he was formally inducted in the Reds on September 4. Since then, he has not looked back, and continues to inspire admiration from, and constitute tremendous influence on, the fans.
While each year saw the ascension of this quality slugger from 2007, it was in 2012 when Joey Votto signed a 10-year, $225 million contract extension with Cincinnati Reds, running through the 2024 season – one of the biggest contracts in the history of baseball.
The most prominent of his career’s highlights are winning Lou March Trophy in 2010, and winning Tip O’Neil Award in 2010 and 2011 simultaneously. Not only that, he remained three-time All-Star from 2010 to 2012 with a Gold Glove in 2011.
The year 2010 remained most productive for the player when he won NL MVP and NL Hank Aaron Award, hitting .324 with no less than 113 RBIs to his credit with 106 runs and 37 homers that Joey Votto smashed.
That was the year when the Reds made it to the National League Division Series. While defensive and offensive combination was at its best, what really played a key role was Votto’s being instrumental in the offence, like the stats above showed.
With .309 batting average in 2011, he had 29 home runs and 103 RBIs – a commentary on the consistency that the player has been maintaining over the years. Although the team might not have achieved a lot in 2011, Votto did not cease to contribute for his
the Reds.
Similarly, 2012 started as something propitious and productive for Votto. As the season progressed, Votto’s bat continued to rage, adding to the offence’s incredible strength and ability to outrival any in the division and league.
But as he kept on his race for bigger glory, becoming part of 2012 MLB All-Star Game, what was coming ahead was probably not anticipated. Votto was pulled off from the team after it became known that he required arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn
meniscus in his left knee.
Out of lineup from July 16, he had to wait until August to be formally cleared to make it to the team. In total, the player could only appear in 111 games in the regular season out of 162 that the team played.
Although homers and RBIs were comparatively lesser, Votto, like he has been doing throughout the years, maintained his consistency here as well, hitting .337. Were it not for the injury, he would certainly show more of the class and brilliance that he personifies.
Quite unluckily for him, the Reds could not also continue the winning momentum they had had in the regular season. Once it came to the National League Division Series, it was the San Francisco Giants that eliminated them from the race.
However, whatever the end result, Votto is undeniably a big asset for the Reds. In coming years, he will be looked to as both the source of strength and inspiration for the team fans.
The
views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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