MILWAUKEE – Joey Votto is 37 years old, a future Hall of Fame candidate and he’s inspired by his teammates.
He told rookie Jonathan India that he admired how India showed his passion on his first career homer earlier this year. He’s had conversations with Nick Castellanos, Tyler Naquin and India about how they’re always hustling on the basepaths.
Votto launched a two-run homer to the second deck in right field Monday at American Family Field, his third homer of the week and crucial insurance runs in a 10-2 win against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he was more proud of everything that happened after his ninth-inning single.
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Infectious baserunning style
After lining a pitch into right field in the ninth inning, Votto took an extra base when Brewers outfielder Avisaíl García fired a throw over the cutoff man as Tyler Stephenson stopped at third. Eugenio Suárez followed a few pitches later with a bloop single into center field. Votto read the ball well off the bat and scored easily from second base to give the Reds a six-run lead.
“I've had conversations with Nick before, with Tyler Naquin before, with Jonathan, about just how infectious their baserunning style is,” Votto said, “and how I feed off of it, how their teammates feed off of it and how they don't realize what they do.
“The other day, Jesse (Winker) turned a ground ball into a double. If Nick didn't have his arm around him and build a relationship with him, maybe Jesse would have done that, but I'm going to pretend that never would have happened. Nick was a part of that and the sort of general culture we have.”
It’s hustle
The Reds have been rewarded for their hustle. Castellanos prevented an inning-ending double play in the second inning Monday on a one-hopper to second base, hustling down the line and allowing a run to score on the fielder’s choice.
Winker and Castellanos hustled out of the box against Milwaukee last week on ground balls that didn’t leave the infield grass. Winker reached on an infield single. Castellanos reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, a spiked throw as he sprinted down the first-base line.
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“I think it was actually Joey early in the year, he made a comment about India running the bases hard,” Tyler Stephenson said. “It’s been cool to see Joey give 100% effort down the line and just these older guys. You can cause pressure and cause a guy to hesitate because he sees you busting it down the line and stuff. It’s hustle. It doesn’t take a lot to do it.”
Votto watched the Reds play for a month when he was on the injured list with a broken thumb. Since returning last week, he’s 7-for-25 at the plate with three homers and 12 RBI in seven games.
Votto is the oldest player on a roster
The Reds knew Votto returning would provide a boost to the lineup, but this is another level.
“On the offensive side and defensive side, I'm watching guys get better, and it's so fun to watch careers blossom,” Votto said. “It's so fun to watch guys do things that they didn't think they could do and to be in the same uniform as guys that are reaching their life goals. Getting to watch it firsthand and share it with them is one of my favorite parts about this sport, one of my favorite parts of my job.”
What’s special for Votto is that he’s seen so many players grow over the past year. India transformed from a player at the alternate site to an everyday starter. Stephenson could always hit, but he’s grown into a solid defensive catcher.
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“This is not to discredit the players in the past, but goodness, Jesse has gotten better in the outfield,” Votto said. “Nick's gotten better in the outfield. I was poor last year; I've gotten better in the infield. Watching Kyle (Farmer) play. Jonathan's been electric at times at second base. Tyler Stephenson's gotten better at his position. Tucker's obviously a Gold Glover. Geno's getting better at third base.
“You're seeing guys get better is really what I'm trying to say.”
Votto was one of the many young players on the 2010 Reds team who learned from the way Scott Rolen played. Rolen made his first All-Star Game in four seasons and the Reds won the division.
Now, Votto is the oldest player on a roster with a lot of youthful energy.
“Scott was a fantastic player and a really good teammate,” Votto said. “If I'm anything like Scott, that would be an honor. I feel like every young player needs to have a player like him. It doesn't matter what side of the ball. Having a veteran that can really mentor younger players and teach them.
“I don't believe in, like, a style, ‘play the game this way, play the game the right way.’ I can't stand when people say that. I'm sure I've said it before, but I don't like when people say that, because the right way is like – I got to be careful what I say here – but I like when guys are aggressive and do things for the team and take the extra base and play with their heart and play with passion and play like this is the last opportunity they have in their life. That's the way Scott played. If I'm anything like that, that's a tremendous honor.”
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