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Votto opens up about the death of his father
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
CHICAGO — Joey Votto didn't want to talk about it for a few days — the death of his father, Joe. He asked that people respect his privacy while he was gone for a week on bereavement leave.
And he still didn't want to talk about it Saturday and Sunday when he was back with the Cincinnati Reds, pinch-hitting in both games.
His name was back on the lineup card Tuesday, Aug. 19, and without being asked, he brought up the death of his father.
"Obviously, the last week was hard," he said. "Being around the guys is a real good distraction and really helps take my mind off everything.
"I love what I do, and this gives me an opportunity to do what my dad would want me to do," he added. "This was important to him and he said he watched every game. It was part of his routine. He was a hard worker, too, one of those guys who did it every single day, then come looking forward to watching my game."
Votto's father, Joe, was a chef for a retirement home, worked 9-to-5, but made sure he got back to his suburban Toronto home in time to watch the Reds.
His son said he is ready to resume playing every day.
"I got a lot done Saturday and Sunday, a lot of extra everything. I'm happy I got those two pinch-hit at-bats and plenty of other stuff," he said.
A bunch of incompletes
With only 36 games remaining, the Reds are one of three teams without a complete game (Houston, Florida). The club record for least complete games is two, done three times (2001, 2002, 2005).
"I like to have one to take pressure off my bullpen, but it's hard to get one when pitch counts are high," Manager Dusty Baker said. "Reminds me of my last year in Chicago when I had one. Very similar. There were 80-some starts of five innings or less."
Why is it happening this year?
"A bunch of starts by first-year players (37 starts by rookie pitchers this year)," said Baker. "They all seem to have one big, high-count inning and what it has done is put a whole bunch of pressure on the bullpen.
"It's those starts of five innings or less that kill you," he added. Asked if he'd take a bunch of seven-inning outings, Baker laughed and said, "Oh, hell yeah."
Volquez for Cy Young?
The subject was the Cy Young Award and how Milwaukee's CC Sabathia is in consideration with only eight wins — because he is 8-0 with the Brewers since they acquired him in early July.
When somebody brought up Brandon Webb's 18 wins and said, "He is from just up the river from Cincinnati and was a Reds fan and wanted to pitch for the Reds before he was drafted by Arizona, Baker said, "So do I (wish he pitched for the Reds)."
Baker brought up Edinson Volquez, No. 2 in the National League behind Webb with 15 wins.
"Considering what Edinson has done (15-5, 2.73 ERA) on a team not in first place (last place), he should get consideration," said Baker. The most amazing stat is that Volquez is 6-1 at Great American Ball Park and has given up only four homers there.
Belisle out for year
Pitcher Matt Belisle, a starter sent to Class AAA Louisville to become a relief pitcher, had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and is done for the season. He was 1-4 with a 7.28 ERA as a starter for the Reds before he was optioned out on May 29.
Quote of the day
"Look at the dining area and the cuisine. When I played, we had peanut butter and crackers. No wonder they can't play with all the food they eat. They eat all that stuff and still hit .220." — Former Reds superstar Eric Davis, kiddingly talking about the amenities in the Wrigley Field visitor's clubhouse.
