The resurgent Votto hammers the circuits again

CINCINNATI (AP) – Amid a sensational career resurgence, Joey Votto recently opened up about his 2,000th move.

The 37-year-old Reds first baseman recalled how he got the ball from his first major league hit in 2007, but a few years later gave it to his dog Maris to play with. Then he wondered aloud in the interview if, in hindsight, it was a good decision because maybe it wasn’t healthy for dogs to chew on baseballs.

This led him to reassure reporters and dog lovers around the world not to worry, he had been a loving owner of the retriever-mix rescue, which has since become a dog’s paradise.

“It was chewed up and spat out by him,” Votto said. “And he loved it, by the way.”

It was Joey who was Joey.

Returning to the milestone reached, a solid single down the middle in a win over the Cubs on August 16, continuing an impressive explosion of Votto from the all-star break in which he hit .320 and led the majors in circuits (17) and RBI (41).

“I was really happy with the 2,000th hit because before the arrival at bat I wanted to make sure my uniform was nice, my socks were nice. I made sure that way, if there is a highlight, at least I’m at my best, ”said Votto, maybe joking, maybe not.

His 28 home run total – the biggest since he hit 36 ​​in 2017 – is even more unlikely given he was sidelined for most of May with a broken thumb.

It returned on June 8 to hit 0.293 for the month, then hit 0.393 with 11 home runs in July. He continues to polish his Hall of Fame credentials, becoming the second player in major league history to win his 2,000th hit, 300th home run and 1,000th RBI in the same season. (Hall of Fame member Billy Williams did it with the Cubs in 1971.)

“Joey Votto, every night he does something cool,” said Reds second baseman Jonathan India, who is advocating for the National League rookie of the year.

Votto and his entourage said they saw the change coming. He started retooling his swing and approach late last season, standing straighter in the box, swinging on more throws, consciously trying to hit the ball and feeling comfortable hitting more. As a result, he hits the ball harder than ever. And many of them leave the park as if they’ve been thrown from a bazooka.

“It sounds ridiculous, but I almost feel like I’ve learned how to hit again, and I really, really enjoyed the fruits of this discovery,” Votto said.

The 2010 National League MVP, who turns 38 on September 10, has insisted he is not thinking about his legacy and will retire from the game when he is no longer competitive. He’s more concerned with earning his huge salary and convincing the organization and the fans that he’s still worth it. The 12-year, $ 251.5 million contract he signed in 2012 earns him $ 25 million this season.

“He’s completely into what he’s doing right now,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He loves to play, he believes in what we do as a team and he’s starting to enjoy it with a lot of other players and a team that appreciates each other. I think it’s coming out now, but it’s been happening for a long time. “

Votto said reaching career milestones and putting his name in the Reds’ record books wouldn’t be as fun if the team weren’t in contention, which hasn’t been the case in recent years. so late in the season.

Cincinnati, second in the NL Central, finished a 20-game streak sweeping a four-game set from the Miami Marlins. The Reds, who lead San Diego in a game for the second wildcard, open a critical streak Tuesday with division chief Milwaukee.

“To feel the momentum towards something that we are all doing collectively, and then being a part of it with these individual milestones, is really quite special,” said Votto. “It’s much better to be at a winning club.”

_