Before stepping on the field against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, the Cincinnati Reds’ legend Joey Votto hasn’t played in 10 months. But if you didn’t know this information, you would have no idea.
Votto played a significant role in Reds’ 5-4 victory over the Rockies, homering in the bottom fifth and hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth.
Votto underwent season-ending surgery in August to repair a torn left rotator cuff. At the time, the 39-year-old player was expected to be back by Opening Day, but several setbacks prolonged his return. Also, the Reds didn’t want to take any chances, especially after a great start to the campaign.
The Reds are currently 38-35 and sit at the top of the NL Central with half a game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. They have been especially good lately, extending their winning streak to nine games after the Rockies’ game.
This great run is giving Cincinnati hope that they can make some real noise in 2023. They have only been to the playoffs once in the past decade and haven’t reached the NL Championship Series since 1995.
“Long time coming,” Votto said after the game. “Ever since I’ve watched them put it on each other, I was thinking about how badly I want that on me because it’s tied to a winning moment, and that’s exactly — exactly — what this team’s about. This is a different energy than I’ve experienced in years, maybe in my entire career, the way these guys think about themselves and how hard they play. I wanted to be a part of this. We are all a part of this.”
