Joey Votto is a man of the people — there’s no denying that.
With the Reds first baseman out for the season with a torn rotator cuff, he’s basically refused to spend his time off away from the team. Between giving announcing a try and just being a presence in the clubhouse, Votto has been all around Great American Ball Park. And on Wednesday, he was literally all around the ballpark.
The Reds broadcast got word that Votto was watching the game from the stands. And we saw as Votto, wearing an old-school Barry Larkin jersey, roamed around the stadium to meet fans, sign autographs and give young fans some lasting memories from the game.
.@JoeyVotto just gets it. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5vN7E9BvX3
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2022
That’s just so cool.
Votto, of course, joked about his beard once his night at the ballpark went viral.
I think I need a shave. https://t.co/TFsABMXT4b
— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) September 22, 2022
But fans loved the gesture from the injured star. It’s been a rough season for the Reds, and Votto turned an otherwise meaningless game into a great experience for Reds fans.
This was how Twitter reacted
Just when I didn’t think @JoeyVotto could be any cooler! ⬇️ https://t.co/lVF7szfaJS
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 22, 2022
The second Votto retires, he should be the Commissioner. We could use a guy that appreciates a nice hunk of metal. https://t.co/auIc3rx5ZF
— Andy T. (@andyt813) September 22, 2022
Put him in the HOF now https://t.co/0XWQh8llLK
— Joshua Atkins (@jatkins93) September 22, 2022
This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen from a pro athlete https://t.co/xxZbffi8Xp
— Jonny's Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) September 22, 2022
Joey Votto is amazing. https://t.co/qKCx7zwUOD
— Matt Williams (@MattWi77iams) September 22, 2022
Votto roaming the stands taking selfies and talking with fans while he’s sidelined after shoulder surgery. https://t.co/3k63Tylg6e
— Sean Lahman (@seanlahman) September 22, 2022
The Reds are a thorn in my side, but I love Joey Votto. He represents the best of baseball. https://t.co/jt9Mul2UjF
— Adrian Mathenia (@AdrianMathenia) September 22, 2022
I love when guys like this prove to just be good solid dudes. Joey Votto, injured, just sitting in the stands, hanging out with fans, sitting with kids… awesome stuff. https://t.co/2TeYwiBEj8
— Dave Turnbull (@TurnbullDave) September 22, 2022
If anyone deserves this treat from one of the club's all-time greats, it's the fans who are still going to Reds (58-90) games. https://t.co/pkEmUiV9QW
— Christopher J. Scalia (@cjscalia) September 22, 2022
More baseball players should be like Votto.
