It's always good to hear how Joey is doing. Most of us still care. He was a nice sensitive guy and a great ballplayer...as well as a human one. I remember when we were in the playoffs years ago and he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in that game...which we lost, needless to say. But I have a lot more good feelings and memories of his great moments.
Thanks for bringing spring to light on a bitter cold day as today, common to the River City. Some of us are stuck here...and some of us are lucky enough to go and warm up our bodies and hearts by the sea...the beautiful sea.
I loved Joey Votto! The last baseball game I went to in Cincinnati (or anywhere else) was a “business man’s special” in September, 2012, when I had just retired from 35 years of teaching high school. It was Joey’s return to the lineup from injury, and it was wonderful. My son got us scout seats and retrieved a foul ball for me, but what I remember most is watching Joey at bat and on the field! We live in Colorado now and if Joey still played, I would go to Coors Field to watch him play. Godspeed, Joey!
“Oh no Jenn. We’re staying for the whole game !” My granddaughter was 10. All my grands call me Mama Jenn. Never fond of grandma. Granny. Never plan on being old ! Isabel , a New England Pats, Red Sox fan was thrilled to hit the GABP . I’m NFL lady. Less than enthusiastic. Beautiful stadium. Great seats. Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates. Hot. Sunny. Neither of us with hat or sunscreen. Admit I’m more fun than rules. Isabel. “ Votto better play his best!” He didn’t. We stayed . TIL very last ball. Sunburned . Isabel “it was alll votto’s fault !”
Isabel is 23! Appreciate the memory. She’s still, particularly a Pats fan. A New Englander Wilton Ct . Father originally Boston. She gets theluck of straw 😀
I always thought of Votto as a one-off. He felt complex because he was so different from the inherited image of what a baseball star in Cincinnati was supposed to be. That image was Pete Rose—relentless, performative, always in motion. Votto was reflective, analytical, comfortable with ambiguity. The fact that so many fans were willing to move their allegiance from Rose to someone so different suggests something important: the city grew. Its fans became more open to a different kind of excellence, one rooted not just in effort and bravado, but in thought, restraint and self-awareness. That evolution may be Votto’s quietest legacy.
Thanks for bringing back the best article I've read about Votto. Did you know that 'Paint it Black' was also the theme song for 'Tour of Duty', one of my favorite tv series? Happy New Year!
Several years ago, I was listening to a Reds Spring Training game and, before the game Marty Brenneman was interviewing this young kid trying to make the roster. It was Joey Votto and I remember that he was very articulate in his every answer. Back then, I thought, “this is a really nice kid. I hope he makes it.”. Well, it wasn’t long before he was doing just that, MAKING IT. Later, when his dad passed away and he struggled mightily, I felt so bad for him. Here he was, this public figure coping with a pain and a fear so personal and yet, all some fans were worried about was that he was not playing. Then the news of his panic attack got out and I never thought he was treated fairly. At that point, it seemed the idea that Joey Votto was “different” took hold. Well, in truth, he was and is different. Since that time, he has shown himself to be a great player, strategic hitter but, most of all, a real human being, one with many thoughts, interests and opinions. I thoroughly enjoyed his career and believe he is a legitimate candidate for the HOF and, if and when he is inducted, my son and I have every intention of being at that induction. Thank you, Doc for that well written piece and thank you, Joey Votto for allowing people like my son and me to enjoy and root for you all these years. As a long suffering Reds fan, you have truly been a breath of fresh air.
I was an Adam Dunn fan. Yeah, I know he was called the Big Donkey for a reason. But he could hit and I identified with him - a natural first baseman stuck in the outfield. Back in 2005? or so I was sure the Reds would finally move Dunn to first next year. I was at the last game of the season, Votto was playing first. I saw him hit that day, and I remember thinking Dunn will never play first for the Reds.
The other big memory was about a dozen years later. I would check ESPN.com to see where the Reds were in the order. When Votto came up, I would switch to the Reds game to watch his at bats. He never disappointed. After he was done I'd go back to what I was doing until the next at bat. He was that good.
It's always good to hear how Joey is doing. Most of us still care. He was a nice sensitive guy and a great ballplayer...as well as a human one. I remember when we were in the playoffs years ago and he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in that game...which we lost, needless to say. But I have a lot more good feelings and memories of his great moments.
Thanks for bringing spring to light on a bitter cold day as today, common to the River City. Some of us are stuck here...and some of us are lucky enough to go and warm up our bodies and hearts by the sea...the beautiful sea.
Enjoy your time off and the chance to recharge.
A moving tribute ! Thank you !
I loved Joey Votto! The last baseball game I went to in Cincinnati (or anywhere else) was a “business man’s special” in September, 2012, when I had just retired from 35 years of teaching high school. It was Joey’s return to the lineup from injury, and it was wonderful. My son got us scout seats and retrieved a foul ball for me, but what I remember most is watching Joey at bat and on the field! We live in Colorado now and if Joey still played, I would go to Coors Field to watch him play. Godspeed, Joey!
“Oh no Jenn. We’re staying for the whole game !” My granddaughter was 10. All my grands call me Mama Jenn. Never fond of grandma. Granny. Never plan on being old ! Isabel , a New England Pats, Red Sox fan was thrilled to hit the GABP . I’m NFL lady. Less than enthusiastic. Beautiful stadium. Great seats. Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates. Hot. Sunny. Neither of us with hat or sunscreen. Admit I’m more fun than rules. Isabel. “ Votto better play his best!” He didn’t. We stayed . TIL very last ball. Sunburned . Isabel “it was alll votto’s fault !”
Isabel is 23! Appreciate the memory. She’s still, particularly a Pats fan. A New Englander Wilton Ct . Father originally Boston. She gets theluck of straw 😀
I always thought of Votto as a one-off. He felt complex because he was so different from the inherited image of what a baseball star in Cincinnati was supposed to be. That image was Pete Rose—relentless, performative, always in motion. Votto was reflective, analytical, comfortable with ambiguity. The fact that so many fans were willing to move their allegiance from Rose to someone so different suggests something important: the city grew. Its fans became more open to a different kind of excellence, one rooted not just in effort and bravado, but in thought, restraint and self-awareness. That evolution may be Votto’s quietest legacy.
Thanks for bringing back the best article I've read about Votto. Did you know that 'Paint it Black' was also the theme song for 'Tour of Duty', one of my favorite tv series? Happy New Year!
Several years ago, I was listening to a Reds Spring Training game and, before the game Marty Brenneman was interviewing this young kid trying to make the roster. It was Joey Votto and I remember that he was very articulate in his every answer. Back then, I thought, “this is a really nice kid. I hope he makes it.”. Well, it wasn’t long before he was doing just that, MAKING IT. Later, when his dad passed away and he struggled mightily, I felt so bad for him. Here he was, this public figure coping with a pain and a fear so personal and yet, all some fans were worried about was that he was not playing. Then the news of his panic attack got out and I never thought he was treated fairly. At that point, it seemed the idea that Joey Votto was “different” took hold. Well, in truth, he was and is different. Since that time, he has shown himself to be a great player, strategic hitter but, most of all, a real human being, one with many thoughts, interests and opinions. I thoroughly enjoyed his career and believe he is a legitimate candidate for the HOF and, if and when he is inducted, my son and I have every intention of being at that induction. Thank you, Doc for that well written piece and thank you, Joey Votto for allowing people like my son and me to enjoy and root for you all these years. As a long suffering Reds fan, you have truly been a breath of fresh air.
I have 2 big memories of Joey Votto.
I was an Adam Dunn fan. Yeah, I know he was called the Big Donkey for a reason. But he could hit and I identified with him - a natural first baseman stuck in the outfield. Back in 2005? or so I was sure the Reds would finally move Dunn to first next year. I was at the last game of the season, Votto was playing first. I saw him hit that day, and I remember thinking Dunn will never play first for the Reds.
The other big memory was about a dozen years later. I would check ESPN.com to see where the Reds were in the order. When Votto came up, I would switch to the Reds game to watch his at bats. He never disappointed. After he was done I'd go back to what I was doing until the next at bat. He was that good.