The Cincinnati Reds closed out the home portion of their common season agenda on Sunday afternoon with a sport towards the Pittsburgh Pirates. For longtime first baseman Joey Votto, the competition had added importance since it would mark the general time he performs a home sport, in Cincinnati or another way.Â
Votto, 40, is within the ultimate assured yr of his contract. The Reds cling a $20 million membership choice on his services and products for subsequent season, however that features a $7 million buyout that turns out much more likely than to not be exercised. Votto, afterall, underwent shoulder surgical operation last August and has hit simply .203/.306/.441 (97 OPS+) in 61 video games with the big-league membership this yr.
Regardless of what occurs this iciness, the Cincinnati crowd made certain to let Votto know they preferred him on Sunday by way of giving him a standing ovation previous to his first shuttle to the plate. Take a glance:
And later, following a Votto unmarried within the 8th inning, the group gave him every other standing ovation as he was once lifted for a pinch-runner:
Votto addressed the group after the sport:
Votto was once just lately requested about if he had ideas in this being his ultimate homestand with the Reds, in addition to what it supposed for his long term.Â
“I don’t think about that. I’ve had moments where it’s crossed my mind, and the nice thing about playing competitive ball is that you’re thinking about today’s game and performing well,” Votto advised newshounds. “… As far as this being the last homestand, if that’s the case, I can’t do anything about that — I don’t want to say I can’t do anything about that — I just am having a really good time playing really meaningful baseball with some really fun teammates. So however it shakes out, I’m good. I’m good. I just want to help out. I just want to play. All I’ve ever wanted to do is play. It’s the most important thing to me.”
The Reds entered Sunday with a 79-77 report, striking them 2.5 video games out of the National League wild-card image. While the Reds were one of probably the most delightful surprises of the season, thanks largely to their surplus of younger place avid gamers, they suffered a devastating loss on Saturday evening that noticed them blow a 9-0 lead towards those identical Pirates.