Fastball

Joey Votto Ties a Hall of Famer in Cincinnati Reds History with Debut Home Run

Joey Votto was activated from the injured list on Monday for the Cincinnati Reds and hit a home run, joining some elite team history with regards to homering in your season debut.

Brady Farkas

Joey Votto Ties a Hall of Famer in Cincinnati Reds History with Debut Home Run
Joey Votto Ties a Hall of Famer in Cincinnati Reds History with Debut Home Run /
In this story:

After playing just 91 games a season ago and missing all of this season, longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto made his season debut on Monday night as the Reds played the Colorado Rockies. 

After having biceps and shoulder surgery, Votto went 2-3 with a run scored and three RBI. He also hit his first home run of the season, joining some exclusive company in Reds history.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Joey Votto hit a HR in his first game of the season tonight. He's now homered in his season debut for the 4th time in his career, tying Hall of Famer Tony Perez for the most HR in player's season debut for the Reds since 1900.

As we always say, any time that you can join a Hall of Famer in baseball history, you've done something right.

Votto's debut marked the start of his 17th major league season. One of the most accomplished players of his generation, he's a career .297 hitter with 343 homers and 1,109 RBI. An on-base machine, he has a career .412 on-base percentage.

He's a six-time All-Star selection, a Gold Glove winner, and he won the MVP in 2010. He's led the league in OBP in seven different seasons and is a possible selection in the future for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In addition to Votto's return, the Reds won again, beating Colorado, 5-4. It was the ninth straight win for the Reds who are now tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.

The Brewers are losing, 8-1, at the time of this posting, so the Reds are likely to be in first place by Tuesday morning.

Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/History