All-Star Spotlight: Joey Votto

One of the great things about the 2010 Cincinnati Reds is that it seems like everyone on the roster has contributed at some point in the season. Scott Rolen has provided the veteran leadership this club has lacked for so long. Jonny Gomes has delivered clutch hits with runners in scoring position. Mike Leake and Travis Wood have shown that they belong in the Major Leagues.

The list goes on and on. However, nobody in Reds Country will argue that the best player on the team is Joey Votto. Votto is sixth in the National League with a .314 batting average. He is tied for the league-lead in home runs with 22, ranks third in runs scored with 59 and leads the NL in slugging percentage (.589).

Votto was not chosen originally to be a part of the NL All-Star team, but was listed on the Final Vote ballot. In a spirited campaign to support their first baseman, the Reds and their fans shifted into full Vote Votto mode.

Even though attention to himself is the last thing Votto seeks, the outpouring of support obviously meant a lot to him. He seemed especially touched by the gestures of his teammates.

“I just really appreciate the accomplishment. I’m going to take it in,” Votto said. “I’m told it’s kind of a show. I just really worked very hard. It’s an individual game within the team concept. I did my part to earn an All-Star berth. It means a lot to me. I’ve always wanted to be an All-Star one day. Today, I was finally selected.”