Is that ... Joey Votto? Bearded Red blends in among fans

September 22nd, 2022

CINCINNATI -- As his teammates were playing on the field against the Red Sox on Wednesday, injured Reds first baseman Joey Votto was a man of the people at Great American Ball Park.

During the first three innings, Votto made his way around the seating area and concourses at the stadium. Wearing a classic Reds No. 11 jersey of Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, Votto started in the upper deck behind home plate sitting with a fan and chatting in the first inning.

Soon, Votto was making his way along the upper deck aisle -- stopping repeatedly for numerous selfie photos, talking to kids and shaking hands with fans.

Eventually, Votto popped up around other spots inside the seating bowl.

From the lower right-field seats, Votto shouted down to Reds right fielder Aristides Aquino, who waved back. In the seats above the bullpen in center field, he said “hi” to Reds relievers.

Votto’s tour of GABP concluded back inside the Reds television booth with Larkin and play-by-play broadcaster John Sadak. Since he underwent season-ending left shoulder surgery on Aug. 19, Votto has been working select home games as a TV analyst for Bally Sports Ohio.

Before the game, Votto was wearing a jersey of a different Hall of Fame player from a different team. During a pregame ceremony to honor his being the Reds’ recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for community service, the 39-year-old donned a No. 21 Clemente Pirates jersey as he accepted honors from manager David Bell and general manager Nick Krall.