I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992.
I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble.
I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
When it was suggested that Joey Votto was singing backup to Gladys Knight with the rest of the Pipps. Dusty Baker didn't get the reference to Wally Pipp at first. Pipp as most baseball fans know was the firstbaseman for the New York Yankees that asked out of a game. His replacement started a streak of 2,130 games played and Pipp was shipped to the Reds the next season.
Votto has missed 27 games and the Reds have been victorious in 19 of them.
"Don't worry about him being Wally Pipp. He can't get Wally. We need Joey Votto. We're just fortunate that we've played this well without him," Dusty Baker said in a serious tone once the weak joke was explained to him, after asked if Gladys Knight was really in town.
Votto himself had a glimpse of humor through his naturally serious demeanor.
"I'm extremely happy that the team is playing better than when I was out there," Votto said. "Maybe they don't want me back but when I do, I want to be the player I am. I'm not just a hitter. I love getting the pat on the back for breaking up a double play or something like that."
The last hurdle of his rehab was sliding, the activity that caused the original injury. It was after testing his slide that he felt pain and a piece of cartilage had to be removed on Friday by the Reds' team surgeon Timothy Kremchek
"I feel okay, it's just frustrating," Votto said. "I was really close. I felt like I was close. I was really pushing it trying to get out there. Generally when we (baseball players) get that close we push it. I probably was a little ovezealous but I think Dusty or the medical staff would have held me back. If it wasn't the right time. It was an unlucky occurrence. It was part of the process. I hurt it sliding. It wasn't a byproduct of the training staff or any of the medical staff. I was hoping to get a round of sliding in."
It was suggested that Votto might play with limitations, for instance avoiding slides during games.
"I'm not going to come back until I can do everything I have to do as a ballplayer," Votto said. "I'm not comfortable coming back and not being able to play defense or slide into second base to break up a double play or being able to go first to third. I'm responsible for myself once I step on the field. If I can't take a guy out and it cost us a run, that's something that I couldn't do, looking my teammates in the eye."
Votto won't apologize for trying to get back as soon as possible.
"I don't think I'd be the player I am without pushing myself to come back," Votto said. "I'm doing everything I can. I just want to be healthy the next time I go out there."
Professionally edited by ML Schirmer for proofreading services Call 513-240-3120
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