You don’t have to be a Reds fan to know that Joey Votto is a beast, or maybe you do. That was on display when the power-hitting first baseman was snubbed from the All-Star roster by the fans last Sunday. Other notable players let off the roster included: Kevin Youkilis, Ryan Zimmerman, Paul Konerko, but Votto appears to be the main victim. Seriously, how can a player sporting a .316 average (5th NL), 21 dingers (1st NL), and 59 RBI’s (5th NL) not feel like they were robbed?
Here’s why the first baseman in Cincy deserves to spend next week in Anaheim. First of all, the Cincinnati Reds are sitting atop the NL Central with a record of 47-38 and it’s not because the Ken Griffey Jr. trade finally panned out or Pete Rose and Johnny Bench decided that they would show Brett Favre what a real comeback looks like. Good pitching from a young rotation and a great lineup lead by Joey Votto has been the ingredients for success for the Reds this season.
If that’s not good enough for you, then explain why one of the hottest hitters in baseball doesn’t deserve at least one at-bat next Tuesday. Behind Josh Hamilton in the American League, no batter has been a bigger nightmare for pitchers than Joey Votto. Just how hot has he been? One scout was quoted as saying he would rather pitch to Albert Pujols than Joey Votto right now.
“Put it this way: If he and Pujols were in the same lineup, I’d pitch around Votto to get to Pujols. I wouldn’t do that the rest of the season, but right now, that’s how good Votto is going.” If that’s not the sign of an All-Star, I don’t know what an All-Star would look like.
This is what bugs me the most about professional sports today. If All-Star games mean so much, which they sure do in the MLB, then why are the rosters put together by the fans? Does it give the fans a way to get into the game? Yes, but why is something so valuable, home-field in the World Series, not left up to the professionals? Either the All-Star game needs to be just “for fun” or player personnel needs to be left up to, oh I don’t know, player personnel people? Just look at the NBA. Should Tracy McGrady have made the All-Star team just because his teammate is China’s one contribution to basketball? No, but that All-Star doesn’t have nearly the implications that the MLB game sports.
Baseball, I understand you want to get the fans involved but there are reasons why fans are fans, managers are managers, and players are players. You want to get the fans really involved? Then why not have a sweepstakes for a chance to win a pinch hit appearance in the upcoming World Series? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. Look, home-field advantage plays a role in who wins the World Series, The WORLD SERIES!!!, and the fans are picking the rosters that determine who plays where in October. It just doesn’t make since, it never will.
Votto hasn’t made any complaints, but Reds players were showing off “Vote for Votto” shirts before their game tonight against the Mets. Votto posed his case Monday, blasting two HR’s in a Reds victory. Luckily for the potential NL MVP and his teammates, there is still time to vote for Mr. Votto. One roster spot is left on both All-Star rosters for the “Final Vote”, to determine who the last player added will be. Votto currently leads that contest that concludes tomorrow and more than likely will make the team. Whether you’re a Cubs, Cardinals, or whatever fan you may be, go vote for Votto. Maybe we’ll get the chance to see Votto bat in front of Pujols with the game on the line. Would you walk Votto, the hottest hitter in the NL, to get to the best player in the game? You tell me.
-Derek Piper
Of course I’d rather pitch to pujols than votto. Votto is the hottest hitter on the hottest team in the national league, while pujols and your cardinals r fading. I’m sorry Derek, but phat albert has peaked and as hard it is for me to admit this, the reds r gonna be contenders in the central for years to come, while votto has potential to be a multi mvp winner.
Also I have enjoyed watching the cards last two games. Very entertaining
Im glad someone enjoyed those awful games. But the Cardinals aren’t done and neither is Pujols. The Reds haven’t shown they can put an entire season together since 1999, but they’re gonna be tough for seasons to come, you’re right about that. The Cardinals are in trouble but they’re not done. As for pitching to Votto or Pujols right now, I’d probably try my luck with Pujols too, but Pujols won’t be down the rest of the year. I can feel comfortable in saying that.