Joey Votto Shares Emotional Tweet Thread About Playing In Field Of Dreams Game To Honor Late Father

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Joey Votto and Cincinnati Reds haven’t exactly had a season to remember. The Reds currently have fifth-worst record in the league at 44-60 and Votto is batting just .215 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI in 85 games played.

But Votto’s legacy as an all-time great in Cincy is set in stone. The Toronto native has played all 16 of his Major League seasons with the Reds and made six MLB All-Star games. He won the National League MVP award in 2010 and a Gold Glove at first base in 2011.

On Friday, Votto will get to have a rare first in his illustrious career. The slugger will lead the Reds into action in the second annual MLB Field of Dreams game.

While the game is special for baseball fans and players everywhere, it holds a special meaning to Votto. He explained just how much it meant to him in a heartfelt Twitter thread on Wednesday evening.

Votto started by explaining that he, like most kids who grew up as baseball fans, watched the movie often.

He added that he and his father, like the main character in the movie, would often have a catch and that it’s something that helped forge their relationship.

Votto then let people know that his father passed away 14 years ago, and that he feels an “emotional connection” with a particularly scene in the movie.

Now, the future Baseball Hall of Famer will get the chance to play at the very site of the movie, and he’s making sure to take it all in.

Votto’s contract with the Reds expires after the 2023 season, though the team does hold a club option for 2024.

If he chooses to retire following that season, he’ll do so as one of the all-time greats of game.