Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto and playing the game the right way

On Friday, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto set an example for players everywhere.

If there is one thing in particular about Joey Votto that truly stands out, it is his general inability to pop up on the infield. Over his career, the Cincinnati Reds first baseman has popped up on the infield on only 3% of any fly balls that he hit. Over the past seven years, that number is even lower at just 2%. He just does not hit infield popups.

Naturally, on Friday, he did just that during a game in the back fields against minor league players. But then, Votto did something that is rarely seen these days in the majors during such a play – he ran out the ball.

Let’s face it – for most, if not every other player, that popup to third would have been met with frustration, and possibly a slow jog down the line. The out was seemingly inevitable, and there was no point in exerting any more effort than needed. When the ball fell in play, those players may well have been safe at first, if they were able to begin running soon enough.

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But that is not Votto. There is a phrase about playing the game the right way, and that is exactly what he did here. That out was not taken for granted, and through his hustle, he was able to get to second base without a slide. So much for that little pop to third.

This also sends a message to the minor league players that were on that field. It shows them not to take anything for granted, to continue to run and play hard regardless of what happened. You never know when a ball might be dropped, or a grounder will take an odd hop on the infield. By hustling down the line, and becoming a baserunner, that moment can change the tide of the game.

That is a part of what makes Votto such a great player. It is just a meaningless Spring Training game, one on the back fields against minor leaguers. However, he still hustled out of the batter’s box as though it was Game Seven of the World Series. That type of professionalism, and refusal to take anything for granted, can make a difference.

Joey Votto has emerged as a leader of the Cincinnati Reds. His hustle on the back fields is just another example.