Reds' Joey Votto.

BY WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca

It has been a breakout year for Toronto's Joey Votto. The humble Cincinnati Reds first baseman is having a career season at the plate, one that has him in the discussion for NL MVP, and in a frantic race with the likes of Albert Pujols for the elusive triple crown.

And with the Reds in contention for the first time in years -- as of Thursday, Cincy led the NL Central by eight games -- the Canadian kid who has been producing for the Reds ever since he was brought up with the club three years ago is actually getting league-wide attention.

And the media spotlight has only gotten bigger.

Friday on Connected, Sportsnet’s Jamie Campbell presents a feature on Votto in which the 26-year-old talks about his season, his goals and how he feels about appearing on the cover of the latest edition of Sports Illustrated.

“I was excited for it,” Votto says. “I really wanted to be on the cover when they first mentioned it to me, but at the time it felt like a big responsibility. It used to be I’m signing baseballs and jerseys and now I’m signing magazine covers.

“It means good things, obviously for myself -- I’m playing well -- but also more importantly the team’s playing well.”

Don’t expect Votto to be satisfied with his accomplishments up to this point anytime soon however. He’s clear that this is just the beginning steps of his major league journey.

“Giving my very best against the best is what I ask of myself, and that’s been a process. Anything short of the way I’m playing I would be a little disappointed, I would feel like I could do more.”

Watch the full feature on Votto during Friday primetime edition of Connected as well as Saturday’s episode of Jays Connected. You can also catch the Reds take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Sportsnet East and West at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT.