How Joey Votto of the Reds Became a Social Media Star

Baseball|Joey Votto Is Finally Ready to Meet You

On a July nighttime successful Milwaukee, Joey Votto sewage his revenge.

Votto, nan first baseman for nan Cincinnati Reds, had seen a clip weeks earlier of nan broadcaster Chris Russo, known arsenic Mad Dog, voicing uncertainty that he and Royals pitcher Zack Greinke belonged successful nan Hall of Fame. Now, pinch nan opportunity to face Russo during an quality connected nan MLB Network’s “High Heat,” Votto was readying thing special.

Standing successful foul territory and wearing a headset, Votto looked into a dugout camera. When Russo’s co-host, Alanna Rizzo, asked a question, Votto smiled and answered engagingly. When Russo took a turn, Votto managed conscionable a fewer sullen syllables successful response. Quickly, Russo caught connected — “Funny! You’re funny today” — spurring Votto into a minute-long rant befitting a pro wrestler.

With large manus gestures and a rising tone, Votto inveighed against Russo’s expected flimsy toward him and Greinke. “You’re looking down connected us, a mates small-market Midwest ballplayers, conscionable because we’re not big-city conscionable for illustration you!” Votto lectured. His eyes widened arsenic he bellowed critiques of Russo’s “Fifth Avenue ties” and “perfectly coifed, Broadway hair.”

The rant, which Votto and Jim Day, nan sideline newsman connected Reds’ broadcasts, had been rehearsing for weeks — including connected nan squad plane, which confused much than a fewer Reds unit — went viral: One of baseball’s funniest characters had delivered again.