Votto-Matic?

What happens when Joey Votto returns to the field?

(Enquirer)

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There’s a piece in the Enquirer today by my former colleague Charlie Goldsmith that I’d like you to read and get your opinion on. It’s about Joey Votto’s helpful presence in the Reds clubhouse and on the bench during games.

Players on IL are not required to be at games, and certainly not on road trips. Votto has chosen to be among his teammates, even as he’s not playing. His hitting insights are invaluable. How could they not be?

“You can’t get anything better than having one of the best hitters in baseball around to pick his brain,’’ TJ Friedl is quoted as saying.

Reading the story, I was left with one impression: Votto sounds like he’d make a very good hitting coach. As for his return to active duty? When he returns to the field, does he. . . return to the field?

“I feel pressure to be back on the roster. That’s an important reminder. Sometimes, when you go far away, you don’t feel the urgency. That’s been good for me. I want to be back every day, as soon as possible,’’ said Votto.

He also added this small slice of Joey Zen:

“When I come back, that will be the first day that I should be back.”

OK.

Should he be back?

Stupid question, Doc.

Is it?

Baseball is as much a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately game as exists. Does the old, unwritten sports rule still apply? A player can’t lose his job because of injury.

Truth?

RedlegNation

Votto is at least a few weeks from returning. He’s still rehabbing his shoulder. He’s had one setback already. Spencer Steer is playing well at 1B. Maybe Votto returns as a DH, does all the usual Joey things and the point becomes moot.

What if that’s not the case?

It’s one of a manager’s most difficult dilemmas. The delicate nature of dealing with a veteran who is ready to play, but whose presence in the lineup might not make your team better. Oh, and that veteran also happens to be a borderline Hall of Famer and among the most popular Reds in memory.

David Bell played baseball a long time. He understands how the game works. Extra respect is paid to the most accomplished, longest-tenured players, even as they age. Especially as they age. Bell’s also obligated to put winning first, even in a Developmental Season such as this.

Would you pencil in Votto at DH, ahead of India or Stephenson?

We’re getting ahead of ourselves, yes. Votto has played baseball a long time, too. He knows playing time is not bestowed, at least not for long. He isn’t the sort to pout if he doesn’t play. At least I don’t think so. He’s never been in this situation before.

If the point in 2023 is to let the kids figure things out, well, Votto’s not a kid. And really, at least at the moment, maybe that focus has shifted. The dreadful NL Central is an open window for the 26-29 Reds, who are playing well and only 3 games outta 1st place.

What do you do?

The “problem’’ will only get “worse.’’ When Elly Antonio De La Cruz arrives, he’ll need to be fed playing time. Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s bat is playing Promote Me songs. So?

Obviously, Votto has earned every chance he will get to make his lineup presence impactful. If all goes swimmingly, fantastic. The surprisingly emergent Reds get a potent, veteran bat back in the lineup.

If not, DBell will have some sensitive surgery to perform.

Is there room for sentiment, or not? Is Joey Votto, the Reds best player for an entire generation, owed a measure of grace? What say you?

Now, then. . .

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A FEW WORDS ON GRASS, AND NOT THE KIND YOU SMOKE. . . A couple nice weeks in May, and the front yard is already crispy. So I’m already watering it every three days. You know how Johnny Thinwallet feels about paying big water bills just to keep the grass alive.

Nice lawns are pretty. They suggest a house in good working order, maintained by responsible folks. People whose lawn is lush and not clover-laden would never have a couch or a washing machine on their front porch. Those people are good for our property values.

Still, maintaining grass is a huge, destructive waste to the environment and my billfold. Dumping chemicals on the sod while also diligently feeding the birds seems like a very good example of spinning my suburban wheels.

I feel about the grass the way I feel about my hair. if I could, I’d ignore both. I’d shave off all my hair if I had the head and complexion for it. As it is, my Irish skin would revolt. With the lawn, I’d let it go dormant-brown. It does come back, with water.

Think about it. We spend lots of green to grow green stuff, so we can mow it every week. Sprinkle and repeat. To whom does this sound rational?

We spread Scott-for-Scott's poison three or four times a year. It’s so toxic, I wear a mask when I use it, then wash my hands like an obsessive-compulsive. Birds get that stuff in them. And die.

I like Arizona for a few reasons. One is, only insane immigrant East Coasters try to grow grass there. The rest landscape with rocks, boulders, cactus and other stuff designed to hurt you when you get too close. I’d smother my grass in lava rocks if I thought I could get away with it.

If it were socially acceptable, my yard would resemble the sandlot in The Sandlot.

Who’s with me?

Now excuse me while I minister to the freaking sprinkler.

TUNE O’ THE DAY. . . Frequent Perusers might note my affection for This Guy. Ran with Broooce and Stevie in the Asbury Park days, had a better voice than either and rocked harder and with more soul. I highly recommend his album, Hearts of Stone, from which this tune is lifted.