PITTSBURGH – For most of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto’s MLB career, he has been able to work on his swing all the time.
On a few Sunday mornings during this season, Votto was the only player taking pregame batting practice on the field. While the team is stretching before the game, Votto often will take a few practice swings. He does the same thing away from the baseball park.
Then in May, Votto was hit by a pitch on his left thumb. He wasn’t able to grip a bat for a few weeks, but Votto still responded from that injury with one of the most impressive seasons of his career.