Joey Votto was no longer needed on the Cincinnati Reds, so he had to pursue other opportunities given his burning desire to keep playing the game he loves.
His desire landed him a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Jays happen to be the only MLB team in Canada, and Votto is Canadian.
Not only he is Canadian: he was born in Toronto.
And there is no place like home.
Votto was born in 1983, just seven years after the Blue Jays’ first season in MLB.
To celebrate his new contract (a minor league deal with an invitation to camp), the powerful first baseman posted a wholesome picture of his childhood in full Blue Jays gear.
“Minor league contract signed. It’s official, I’m a little Blue Jay now,” he tweeted.
Minor league contract signed. 😃
It’s official, I’m a little Blue Jay now. pic.twitter.com/DOPH7XWNrc— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) March 10, 2024
Fans’ hearts melted at the sight of baby Votto, who is now, as he says, “officially” a Blue Jay.
He still has to make the team, which he should have no issues accomplishing if he is fully healthy and if he has had some semblance of physical activity and workouts in the spring.
It’s still not a given, though.
Baseball fans would love to watch him play for his hometown team, and he might still have something left in the tank given his solid .747 OPS and 14 home runs in just 65 games last year with the Reds.
He is a living legend and a potential Hall of Fame candidate in the future.
For now, however, all he wants is to play baseball, and Toronto is willing to give him a chance.
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