CINCINNATI — From a chair beside his locker at Great American Ballpark, Joey Votto reflects on big-league season No. 17. In a little less than four hours, Votto’s Reds will play host to his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays. For now, though, he has a few minutes to reflect on a surprising season and where it might lead.
A year ago, the Cincinnati Reds lost 100 games, more than all but two major-league teams. But early this season, Votto realized 2023 might be different. By June, the arrival of tooled-out 21-year-old Elly De La Cruz made it clear to the rest of the baseball world that this Reds team had talent. Yet even before then, Votto believed this group could hold its own — and compete for a playoff berth.
“Matt over here is probably our best player,” Votto said Friday afternoon, gesturing toward 24-year-old teammate Matt McLain, who sat nearby.
“He’s been our most reliable, consistent player since his call-up. He was excellent in (triple-A) Louisville and he’s been excellent here. He’s more than you could expect from a young player. And then, Spencer Steer‘s been here all year. He’s been quite good and he’s been able to play a lot of different positions.
“And then we’ve got a lot of surprises on our team. Too many to name. So yeah, lots of fun and certainly a lot of potential for this organization, this team in the long run.”
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Already, the Reds are making things interesting with a 64-59 record that has them just 2.0 games out of first place in the NL Central. And even if Votto is nearly two decades older than De La Cruz, the veteran first baseman is still in the middle of what the Reds are trying to accomplish, hitting home runs in bunches, dispensing advice to the next generation of Reds and absorbing what he can from the team’s youngest players.
Now a few weeks shy of his 40th birthday, Votto makes a point of learning from the next generation. Asked what exactly he picks up, Votto quipped — “the tab, usually” — before answering in earnest.
“The group of guys that we have here, they represent a different version of team,” he said. “Cooperation amongst teammates. Friendship amongst teammates. Friendliness. These guys are really supportive and they use language that’s supportive also. They’re steady. They don’t react. They don’t slam helmets. The generation I came from was much more little comments, snippy, sarcastic tone, never will admit that you’re friendly or that you admire something about another player.
“It’s like all the stuff they teach you in therapy, they already know what they’re doing. You know what I mean? And I feel like their style is much healthier and much more supportive, much more, for lack of a better word, loving. And yeah, there’s a lot to learn from that.”
Of course, there are ways in which Votto can help younger players, too. Take a night like this, for instance. How might Votto prepare for a 7 p.m. start?
“6:40,” he corrected his questioner with a smile. “You could learn a thing or two, too.”
A lot of thought goes into Votto’s preparation, along with a lot of effort. Rehab from the left rotator cuff and biceps surgery he underwent this time last August required considerable work behind the scenes, and the results have been stellar since his return: an .805 OPS with 13 home runs through 47 games in the final guaranteed year of a contract that includes a $20 million team option for 2024.
In some ways, he can be unorthodox with a self-described tendency to sleep into the early afternoon, for instance. Yet in other ways, he’s flexible, adjusting to the demands of a given day instead of adhering to a strict schedule.
“I’m not that routine-oriented,” he said. “I just try to come early and try to get better. That’s really all. Typically I come really early and I try to be as prepared as I possibly can for the first pitch, for the first ground ball, for the first sprint, and then also try to get better. I use the time before the game to make sure I’m ready and then during the game, get better. I don’t think of that as a routine. I think of that as just doing your job.”
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Three quarters of the way through the season, those efforts have paid off for Votto and the Reds. Still, there are further adjustments ahead. The Reds’ core of young players will be judged by wins and losses, as all players are. But for the likes of De La Cruz, McClain and Steer this season is also a chance to learn some important lessons on the fly.
“They’re already doing everything they need to do,” Votto said. “They’re getting better. They’re making mistakes. They’re learning from the mistakes. They’re coming to work every day. This is their growth window as a major-league player. So as long as they continue to grow and move towards their potential, they’ll reap the benefits.”
As for Votto, he faces plenty of his own challenges even after 17 seasons at the highest level. These days he’s thinking about how his swing works in today’s rapidly evolving game. A lifetime .295 hitter with a .410 career on-base percentage, he should probably end up in Cooperstown, but the pitchers he faces every night aren’t about to stop attacking.
There’s also the question of health. If doubt ever entered his mind as he rehabbed his way back from a procedure that typically comes with a 12-18 month timeline, he kept his focus on the task at hand. So far, it’s been working.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “It’s been day by day. You know, there’s no other way to do it. And more importantly, what other choice do I have? I’m going to move towards a goal of mine. If I fall flat on my face, I at least tried. Worst-case scenario, I’ll get my shoulder ready for surfing. Or road hockey. Ice hockey. Shinny.”
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