Joey Votto has turned himself into the best heel in baseball
We’ve known for years that Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto loves to antagonize pitchers. His exceptional plate discipline, and refusal to swing at anything out of the zone, has flustered even the best pitchers on the mound.
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But this season, Votto has decided pitchers aren’t enough. There have been at least two instances this year where Votto has intentionally messed with the opposing fans. The first came in Philadelphia, where Votto pretended he was going to throw a ball into the stands before keeping it for himself. The second came in Los Angeles, where he demonstratively stomped on a paper airplane that made its way near first base. Both drew a hearty amount of boos from opposing fans. The latter even earned him the nickname “Airplane Stomper” the next time he came to bat.
Following the Philadelphia incident, Votto said he’s just having fun with the fans. And given his reaction after stomping on the airplane (he let out a sly smile), he seems to enjoy playing the part of the heel.
With the Reds visiting the Colorado Rockies, we’re wondering what Votto will do next to further that reputation. Votto’s antics are the focus of Yahoo Sports’ Free MLB Game of the Day on Tuesday. Votto and the Reds will take on Nolan Arenado and the Rockies. The game, which will take place at 8:40 p.m. ET, can be streamed for free at Yahoo’s Sports Home, MLB index and video home. Local blackouts apply.
Since this is the Reds we’re talking about, it’s important to note that Votto’s antics are one of the few things making the club watchable this year. With that in mind, we’ve come up with three ways Votto can continue his act Tuesday against the Rockies.
DESTROY A COORS LIGHT CAN BEFORE AN AT-BAT
The Rockies play in Coors Field, and while fans may not have a deep connection to team sponsors, we still think this one could work. Just before he walks up to the plate, Votto should pull a Coors Light can out of pocket. He’ll crack it open and pretend he’s going to drink it as a sign of solidarity with the Rockies fans. That doesn’t happen. Instead, Votto pours the beer out in the dirt, kicks the dirt and crumples the beer can in his hand. He then hits the can over the right field fence just to show off his immense power. Votto then steps into the batter’s box to take his normal at-bat.
MAKE A BAT OUT OF ONE OF THE TREES FROM THE ROCKIES FOREST
Coors Field has a weird forest area just beyond center field. Current San Diego Padres reliever Fernando Rodney knows the area well. Just before Votto’s first at-bat, a video play on the scoreboard that shows him cutting down one of the trees in that area before Tuesday’s game. That’s not all, though. Votto then takes the wood to a wood-working shop and fashions it into a bat. Turns out, it’s the bat he’s using for Tuesday’s game. Votto then proceeds to hit four home runs with the bat he forged from the Rockies forest area. Fans hate him.
[Elsewhere: Is Byron Buxton finally up with the Twins for good?]
KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS
Votto is Canadian, so playing the heel seems out of character. If he really wants to embrace his heritage, he would kill the opposing fans with kindness. After every single pitch in which Votto doesn’t swing, he shouts back words to encouragement to the opposing pitcher. Things like, “you can throw a strike, I just know it,” and “cool pitch, bro.” Once he hits a home run, Votto rounds the bases constantly apologizing for doing it. Votto then makes a promise to hold a pancake breakfast, complete with maple syrup, the following morning for all the fans he upset during Tuesday’s game. While the syrup tastes exception, the hatred still runs deep. No opposing player should be this nice.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
