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Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto might’ve retired from the MLB, but he still has love for his former teammates.
And the feeling’s mutual.
The longtime Reds first baseman recently sat down with The Athletic as part of its “Peak” series, which focuses on the “mental side of sports,” per its website.
During the 8-minute video, Votto, who retired in August 2024, read stories from his former teammates and coaches, including former Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo, former Reds manager Dusty Baker, bench coach and field coordinator Freddie Benavides and more. Some of the stories included were originally part of a previous Athletic report from 2021.
Here are some highlights from Votto’s chat with The Athletic.
Joey Votto took improv classes to learn how to interact with teammates
Votto revealed Benavides once gave him the nickname “OP” or “Own Program,” which was used to describe how he interacted with coaches, players and the team’s front office.
“I tried hard during my minor league and especially my major league career, to cooperate, be a good teammate. But no matter what, whenever we’d cross paths with one another, he’d call out something ‘OP’ that I did,” Votto recalled.
Former Reds outfielder Chris Dickerson came to Votto’s defense during a 2021 interview with The Athletic, stating “He gets so much s— for being this standoffish guy, but on the completely opposite end of the spectrum, he wanted to understand how to best engage with his teammates.”
He told the sports site Votto took improvisational comedy classes in Los Angeles because he thought it would improve his communication skills.
“I (did) it for probably about 6 or 7 years, in total. My ability to impact my teammates. My ability to listen in a one-on-one conversation. My ability to deliver the message and stay concise, I felt like, improved remarkably, and I’m grateful for that,” Votto explained.
Joey Votto learned how to dive by jumping into a pool
Per the Dec. 16 video, Benavides said Votto also struggled with diving while playing for the Reds. So, he helped the first baseman practice by throwing him balls that he would have to dive into a pool to catch.
The lessons eventually paid off as Votto later gifted Benavides his Gold Glove Award.
“It hurt my feelings when someone said I was bad at something. I didn’t cry about it, but I thought, ‘I don’t like that we’re in this team together and I’m the weakest link in one aspect of the team,'” Votto said.
“It’s a great, great memory because it was something I had never been good at, and I was happy to try to get better at it,” he continued.
Joey Votto serenaded Bronson Arroyo
Votto later discussed a story submitted by Arroyo in 2021, where the pitcher recounted what went down after his last game with the team in May 2017. According to Arroyo, Votto broke out into a karaoke rendition of James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover,” which he sang “word for word.”
Votto explained the performance was his way of showing respect and admiration for the Reds Hall of Famer.
“It was just a team bonding thing, and I had a great time. I can’t believe I got all the f—ing words correct, and that he smiled and appreciated it. His retelling the story means that it hit home,” he said.
Joey Votto loves to mop
In the original article from 2021, Dickerson shared another secret about the 2010 MVP and six-time All-Star: He loves to mop. Apparently, Votto’s appreciation for the cleaning technique is so strong the team tried to convince him to create an Instagram account called “Joey Moppo,” Dickerson added.
Votto explained he used to mop a lot at his parents’ old restaurant outside of Toronto, Canada. He stated he enjoys mopping now because it reminds him of his childhood.
“I think it’s just a way for me to feel safe,” he said. “The friends that get it are typically the ones that I feel safe with.”
Joey Votto shows love for Dusty Baker
Lastly, Dusty Baker, former Reds manager, recalled the first time Votto competed for an open roster spot during spring training. Baker said Votto had four or five at-bats where he didn’t swing at one pitch, which was unusual for someone in his position.
When he asked Votto what he was doing, the rookie said he wanted to look at pitches and get his “eye down for speed and break.”
“That was the first time I had ever been around a young player that was confident,” Baker said.
Now, Votto admits he was in his own head that day. He said it took him years to realize how much wisdom Baker shared, and how he should’ve applied it sooner.
“I learned through failure. I learned through my own reps. I did things my own way, for better or for worse,” Votto said.
Votto also added that Baker had given him a lot of support over the years, including when his father died in August 2008.
“He helped me grow as an individual, and I’m thankful to have worked with him,” Votto said.