Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto says he’s disappointed by his team’s poor start and added that he takes it personally.
“We are not matching the efforts of the other ball clubs,” Votto said on the Yahoo Sports MLB Podcast.
The Reds, who sport a 14-28 record, are currently the worst team in the National League. Only the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox own worse win percentages across baseball.
“I genuinely hope that we’re trending in the right direction, but this is the worst start I’ve ever seen,” Votto said during the interview, which was taped last week before the Reds pulled off a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. “If I’m not mistaken, it’s been noted in the past that this was historically one of the worst starts for this franchise. There are so many people that are losing interest in our organization — and deservedly so. It hasn’t been a fun time to be a Cincinnati Reds fan.”
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The 34-year-old Toronto native was drafted by the Reds in 2002 and over his 12-year MLB career has blossomed into one of the greatest hitters of his generation. He has appeared in three post-seasons with the organization (2010, 2012, 2013) but never advanced past the division series.
“Not often does a player get to speak the way I’m speaking right now because my role is to do my job on the field and pretty much zip my lips, which makes sense,” Votto said. “But in the same breath, I’ve been with this franchise for, I think, 17 years now.
“You can say things are business, but to honest with you, I was a kid when I signed with this franchise, I take it personally. This is a personal thing to me. People inside of the organization in all likelihood are not going to enjoy my responses. But it’s been disappointing.”
Votto is currently signed to a 10-year, $225-million deal that expires following the 2023 season.
“I’m invested,” he said. “They offered me more money than anyone in their sane mind should ever spend. And they guaranteed me an incredible stretch of time that most professional athletes are never gifted. So, for me to say I did them some sort of favour, no, it was a very easy decision for me … Ultimately, I did sign here … And I do connect with the team.”
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