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Joey Votto may not get the media attention that he probably deserves, but the Cincinnati Reds first baseman likes flying under the radar. No.19 batted .309 last season with 29 home runs and 103 RBIs, and after a slow start to this year appears to be back on track to post similar numbers this season. The Reds are currently in first place in the NL Central and are looking to separate themselves from the pack. Joey Votto joined The Dan Patrick Show to discuss the amount of media attention he receives as a star player, leading the league in intentional walks, the amount of no-hitters occurring in baseball, baseball not having watered down home run numbers any longer and being tested for HGH/steroids.
Should you get more attention for what you are doing with the Reds?
“I’m perfectly happy with the attention that I am getting. I really enjoy not being distracted with a lot of the miscellaneous stuff. We played a Sunday Night Baseball game and as much as I enjoy playing them, they can be somewhat of a distraction. It’s a little later of a start. There’s extra media requests and behind the scenes stuff. It’s very good for baseball and it’s certainly good for the teams and the fans, but me personally it doesn’t really mesh well with my personality and I think what makes me the player I am.”
You are leading the league in intentional walks. How do you feel about that?
“I feel I don’t really think about it. It’s not something that crosses my mind, but I appreciate it.”
What about all the no-hitters in baseball. Is it becoming a pitchers game?
“I think that’s about probably where it should be. Everybody that grew up with baseball said good pitching beats good hitting and that’s how it’s always been. I think that is back to where it is.”
Is it good for baseball that we don’t have these watered down home run numbers anymore?
“No question. I think it is. Yes.”
How many times a year are you tested for steroids?
“Brandon Phillips and I are probably tested 5-7 times a year, HGH included. [Dan Patrick: How does the process work?] Blood test for the HGH and urine sample for everything else. Pants down. Microscope right next to your groin and they get to do that as often and randomly as they want.”
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