Joey Votto, Leading the Reds Back to Greatness
How did it take Joey Votto that long to be selected into the All-Star game? Votto was the last player named to the All-Star team even though he is the most deserving. He went into the break leading the National League in home runs.
Why wasn’t Votto one of the first ones selected? It appears as if a player makes it onto the team based on his reputation because if it had to do with production, Votto would’ve been one of the first selected.
The 26-year old has hit his offensive prime and he will be a force on the Cincinnati Reds for years to come. Votto has hit 22 home runs and 60 RBIs. He’s on pace to nearly double his home run total of last year, 25.
Votto is actually a Canadian out of the Toronto area. He was drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft by the Reds.
He was a little inconsistent in his time in the minors. Votto made his mark in 2004 as he pelted 14 home-runs and batted a .302 with the Dayton Dragons.
Votto hit more home runs in 2005 with Sarasota as he increased his total to 19, but he struck out 122 times and his batting average dropped to .256.
The Canadian slugger would rebound in 2006 with Chattanooga as he batted .319 and knocked 22 home runs. He led the Southern League in batting average and was third in home runs and RBIs. He went on to win the MVP award for the league and was voted a minor league all-star by Baseball America.
Votto moved up to Triple-A the following season playing for the Louisville Bats. He was called up in September from the Reds. He struck out in his first at-bat in the majors but hit a home run on his second. Votto finished the season on a good note with the Reds, as he went 2-for-4 in his last game with a home run and 5 RBIs.
Votto began his first Major League season in 2008, quickly winning the starting job at first base. In May of that season, Votto had a three home run game against the Chicago Cubs. That season he also broke the record for most RBIs by a Reds rookie with 84 runs batted in, passing Frank Robinson’s record of 83.
In 2009, Votto played in World Baseball Classic for Canada. In a game against the United States, Votto went 4-for-5 with a home run.
That season with the Reds, Votto claimed he was suffering from depression due to the death of his father the previous summer. Nevertheless Votto had a great season. He batted at .322 with 25 home runs and 84 RBIs.
Now this season, Votto has finally gotten the deserved recognition around the league as he has been selected to his first of perhaps many all-star games. Pretty soon he may be challenging Justin Morneau and Jason Bay as being the best Canadian in baseball.
So far this season, Votto has led the Reds to the top of the NL Central as Cincinnati appears to be on their way to their first division title since 1995 and Votto may be the big star that Reds fans have been waiting for. They thought Ken Griffey Jr would be the one to lead them to greatness again but injuries prevented Griffey from performing up to his potential.
Now Joey Votto can enjoy the All-Star festivities and when the second half of the season gets underway, the Reds will be looking to finish the job and get back to the postseason.
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