THE CANADIAN PRESS
Joey Votto picked up his phone Monday, heard he was chosen the National League’s Most Valuable Player, and began to cry.
Just a year and a half ago the Cincinnati Reds first baseman from Toronto was struggling with debilitating anxiety and depression issues, stemming from father Joseph’s sudden death in August 2008.
One panic attack was so severe he called 911 in the middle of the night because he felt like he was going to die. But from that nadir began a steady ascent to the zenith of a brilliant 2010 season, capped by a moment he wished he could have shared with his dad.
"I couldn’t help but cry because I know how much something like this meant to me, and would have meant to my father," Votto said later during a conference call from his home in Sarasota, Fla.
"It’s an individual award but such a great accomplishment, it’s pretty much the pinnacle of all the awards so it’s a great moment. With what I went through in the past …. I have overcome a lot and I am very proud of myself."
There is good reason for the 27-year-old to feel that way.
Votto is just the third Canadian to win one baseball’s MVP awards, joining Larry Walker of Maple Ridge, B.C. (NL in 1997) and Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C. (AL in 2006).
"Mr. Votto has had a remarkable baseball career since being drafted in 2002 right out of the same high school that I attended, Richview Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. "Canada is extremely proud of Mr. Votto’s remarkable accomplishments and we look forward to him providing many more exciting baseball moments in the years to come."
Votto’s victory was also a near unanimous one, with 31 of the 32 first-place votes for 443 points going his way in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. That easily beat out St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, the 2005, ’08 and ’09 winner who picked up the other first-place vote and finished with 279 points.
Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies was third at 240, followed by San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez (197), Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki (132) and Phillies ace and Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay (130).
"Shocked," was how Votto described his reaction to the margin of victory. "I though I must have snuck it in there, I didn’t think it would be so conclusive."
Statistically the numbers for Votto (.324, 37 homers, 113 RBIs, 106 runs) and Pujols (.312, 42 HR, 118 RBIs, 115 runs) were fairly similar, suggesting the tipping point was likely that the Reds beat out the Cardinals for the NL Central title.
That ended a Cincinnati playoff drought dating back to 1995, with Votto as the driving force.
"It’s pretty freaking awesome to have beaten Albert Pujols for the MVP," said Votto, who last month won the Hank Aaron Award as the National League’s top hitter.
His remarkable season followed a 2009 campaign interrupted by his bout with anxiety and depression. He missed about a month learning to cope with the suppressed grief over his father’s death, and to control the panic attacks that left him sleeping by the phone so he could quickly call the hospital.
The Reds wisely provided him both the space and support he needed, Votto was activated from the disabled list June 23 in Toronto, and he proceeded to finish 2009 strong with a .322 batting average, 25 homers and 84 RBIs.
He took his game to a whole new level in 2010, and he credits his on-field growth to the time he spent dealing with his problems.
"Huge step," said Votto. "I had a really, really difficult time getting over the death of my father and it’s still difficult for me sometimes now. It’s hard when you lose someone in your life that means so much.
"It was a difficult 2009 and quite a bit less difficult in 2010, and I think that was definitely a big reason why I was able to stay on the ball field every day and succeed and make progress and feel better about life."
Of course his tireless dedication played a pretty big role on that front, too.
Votto has long been known as a player who wears out his coaches by always looking to take extra some swings in the cage or grounders at first base, trying to find an edge.
The work ethic dates all the way back to his high-school days, convincing the Reds to make him a second-round pick (44th overall) in the 2002 draft.
Votto hopes to set the type of example for Toronto-area players that Walker and Morneau have provided for kids in B.C.
"There’s something about having guys who have achieved before you that sets a bar you want to reach to," said Votto. "Larry was that for a lot of younger players and hopefully I can play a little bit of that role, especially in the Toronto area, where … we don’t have a ton of talent coming up to the major-league level.
"Maybe I can be a part of that in some way by letting people know that you can do it, you can get here."
Messages like that are helpful throughout a player’s growth, and Votto enjoyed one early in his big-league career with Pujols.
The Cardinals superstar called Votto over and the two spoke behind the batting cage for a long time.
"There’s something about a star player of that magnitude kind of pulling you in and saying, it’s OK, we can talk, don’t be a rookie right now, we’re going to talk like men," Votto said. "I think he made me feel comfortable and a little more confident.
"I tried to keep my head down for almost a year there, and it was nice to speak to somebody who’s been there and done that when it comes to everything. For him to give me time of the day and to talk about defensive stuff and ways to improve my game was very generous of him, and he certainly didn’t have to do that."
Pujols may be having second thoughts about that right now.
Votto’s already taken the MVP from him, and now he’s got his sights set on some of Pujols’ other accolades, as well.
"I made a point last year to really try and nip all my weaknesses in the bud and I’m going to do that again this year," said Votto. "Albert won the Gold Glove, and it would be kind of cool to win one of those, too."
