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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 37th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > June > 25 > Entry
Votto’s little twin brothers mean a lot
THERE WERE TWO little kids with dark hair, wearing miniature Reds uniforms, running around the Reds clubhouse Thursday. They were twin 9-year-olds, Ryan and Paul.
Their last name is Votto. They are Joey’s youngest brothers and it snaps you to reality, makes you realize what Joey felt when his 52-year-old father, Joe, died last August.
Not only was Joey without a father, but there were two 9-year-old boys who didn’t understand. And it was Joey wondering how his young brothers would survive without a father and with big brother running around the country with a baseball team.
Joey Votto knew what was more important. Baseball was his life. But real life was the health and well-being of a couple of cute little guys with broad smiles and no knowledge of the real world.
So I doubly salute Votto now for realizing what is really important and for his deep feelings that eventually led to depression and anxiety. It is a tough burden to bear.
WITH HIS LITTLE brothers in the clubhouse before the game, Votto took charge of the game Thursday night with four hits, three RBIs and a game-winning home run.
Votto’s double in the first drove in a run that helped the Reds construct a 4-0 lead. But just as he did in his last start, when he couldn’t protect a 5-0 lead against the Chicago White Sox in the Reds’ 10-8 loss, Cueto couldn’t protect a 4-0 lead in the first and a 5-1 lead in the second Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Votto gave him the fifth run in the second inning with a two-out single. Then when Cueto permitted the Toronto Blue Jays to tie it, 5-5, Votto blasted a first-pitch leadoff home run in the seventh for the lead.
Willy Taveras had three hits, two of them bunts. One was a suicide squeeze bunt in the eighth that he turned into a run-scoring hit for a 7-5 lead and the final score.
But the night belonged to Pal Joey.
“It was really nice to have my brothers in the clubhouse,” he said.
Some thought it too much pressure for Votto to come off rehab and return to play in his hometown of Toronto. But he thrives on it.
“I always want to play well and definitely in front of family and friends I want to play well,” he said. “If we had lost with the kind of night I had it would have been very disappointing to have left here swept. Playing well and winning was very big.
“The beautiful thing about baseball is that there is always a new game, another day,” said Votto. “It kind of parallels life sometimes in that every single day, you always get a new one. It was nice feeling good and not having to think about the problems I was having.”
Said Baker, “He said he wanted to come here and play and we were surprised he was ready to play so soon after playing only three games on rehab (four, actually). It means a lot to him, his family and his countrymen. And it certainly means a lot to us.
“Joey is an honest guy, as honest as you’ll find,” said Baker. “And he said he was ready. When he says he is ready we welcome him back with open arms.”
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Comments
By Shelby
June 28, 2009 2:51 AM | Link to this
Hal is the perfect reporter for situations like this. He is part comedian and part humanitarian. Mostly, he is a friend. He’s still earning that HOF tag 7 years after they gave it to him.By bigdoc
June 26, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
‘Daily News’ should provide ‘Prince Hal’ with his own helicopter!By bigdoc
June 26, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
‘Daily News’ should provide ‘Prince Hal’ with his own helicopter!By Nick
June 26, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
To all who thinks this isn’t a dead story…Joey Votto is obviously a private person and he did not want anyone involved until he was damn well ready to tell of what happened. If any of the bashers could remember back to when Joey’s father passed which you probably werent paying attention because they were out of the race and 90% of reds fans are bandwagon fans, that you would relize the big secret this year is the same standard proceedure as last. Joey left the team and asked management not to release the reasoning for his time away from the team. Before he returned and told people on his own. So you can see Joey doesnt want anybody involved in his personal life until he invites us in. So get off of the “I think we will hear more” and the “what is really going on here” comments and shut the hell up. This is now a dead issue. For now the real reds fans will accept the fact that a 25 year old man was dealing with some really serious stuff and he is getting better now.By enfueago
June 26, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
The human interest side of this is all well and good, but lets not lose sight of whats important here. SIGN THOSE TWINS TO A LONG TERM CONTRACT NOW!By Steve
June 26, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this
One thing is for certain- Joey’s dad did one hell of a job raising his children.By Voice of Reason
June 26, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
Ed and Aaron Boone are currently getting the “real story” … they know all, we are sheep.By RC
June 26, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this
Why would we “hear more”, Ed? You don’t believe Votto’s story? You think other people don’t?By Old Kiser Coach
June 26, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
Joey is a great example for men, young and old, who have responsibility thrust upon them. All mankind should take notice. God bless him and his family.By Log Cabin John
June 26, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
Thanks again, Hal, for a story that illustrates the true heart of Joey Votto as a caring son and big brother, and not a one-dimensional, self-centered athlete. Who among us has not experienced the death of a loved one and then gone on with the business of everyday life as though nothing had happened? Joey is a man among men! Go Reds!By Voice of Reason
June 26, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
Yes Ed - JV’s personal issues needed to be public from the beginning so people like you could be happy with things - and it is “terrible” if things are not public - otherwise, by being private, you (and others) had the obligation to start rumors, speculate, be duma**es and all other forms of rampant stupidity because you have the RIGHT to know everything about JV’s life because he plays baseball for the Reds. You are quite the tool.By Randy
June 26, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
For the season he’s been Joey “Clutch” Votto.Two more base hits with men in scoring 2 outs last night and continues to hit .400 with men on.Even though it’s really crowded at 1st base I think he had a good shot at making the All Star game if not for missing so many games.No matter he’s our All Star.By Ed
June 26, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
I have no problem with JoVo,,but what was so terrible that it all had to be secret.By doing so he and the Reds opened themselves up to rumor and speculation.I think we will hear more.By MD Kearns
June 26, 2009 6:16 AM | Link to this
I hope Joey hits as well or better as an example for his brothers on how to handle life’s unexpected & unpleasant surprises. he has handled himself with great honor, prestige, and grace. He is truly a great example for his teammates on the Reds.By MAC
June 26, 2009 4:51 AM | Link to this
W/ the exception of BP, it was great to see guys go the other way and benefit from it. Perhaps we’ll C more of it…smart baseball & professional ABs? It’s just a shame Cincy won’t spend some $$ to bring in a few more legit ML players. It’s obvious they could compete and win 1st if they did! More importantly, the longer they wait to make the investment, the longer it’s likely to take…good pitching doesn’t last forever…Harang and BR have slipped to avg and Volquez is already having arm problems…why continue to wait for all the young guys to develop…make some moves already!By JB
June 26, 2009 2:30 AM | Link to this
Don’t see the JV bashers on this blog,it’s kinda nice for once.By SalMonella
June 26, 2009 2:07 AM | Link to this
Hal, thanks for the personal touch about a a man who really seems to be a fine, serious and sincere human being and a terrific big brother to those boys. Hey — what’s not to like about Joey Votto? Oh wait, I’m sure Mr Negative boxter, the only one on your blog who dislikes Votto will have some more negative crap to add. Kinda like J Mark and his anti-Owings rants.By Mike
June 26, 2009 1:23 AM | Link to this
Hal, I think you just gave Votto his nickname, “Pal Joey.” The origin of the name from the movie doesnt quite match what I know of Votto’s personality; but the way he’s been a friend to his little brothers and an inspiration to all baseball fans— well, it just seems to fit.By josh
June 25, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this
Hal, thanks for the insight. I saw Joey’s brothers in the dugout and wondered about them. They have a great big brother and must have been very proud of him tonight.By christy holcombe
June 25, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this
hal, good story about joey. he is a very good person and ball player. the reds, MLB, and the fans should be lucky to have his talent playing ball.