Joey Votto The Man

Joey Votto was limping after the play. He was thrown out at the plate on Saturday following a single by Edwin Encarnacion in the fourth inning.

The slide was ugly. He right foot went three quarters of the way up his keister and his left leg scraped the base path, tearing his pants. His left foot came to an abrupt halt when it met the shin guards of Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit, who fielded the strong throw by rightfielder, Brandon Moss.

His pants were torn, providing the Reds marketing people another piece of merchandise to peddle at Redsfest or for a fund raiser at any woman's group in Cincinnati.

Yet, in spite of the pain, Votto finished the game.

Dusty Baker was obviously impressed by the "old school", throwback, willingness to play through the pain and placed his name indelibly in his normal position on the field and in the batting order.

Baker offered a comparison to his former teammate Steve Garvey. who played every game the Los Angeles Dodgers played from 1976-1980 and 1980 included an extra game.

"People used to ask me who played first base for the Dodgers," Baker said. "My answer was Garvey, Garvey and Garvey. We didn't think about anyone else."

"He's a little sore but hey man, Joey Votto's a man. That's what men do they come to play," Baker said. "He's going to need a blow (rest) too. We'll get him some time off."