logo
Blue Jays Phillies Baseball
Toronto Blue Jays' Joey Votto circles the bases after hitting a solo home run off Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Clearwater, Fla. (Steve Nesius/The Canadian Press via AP)

Joey Votto homers on 1st pitch in 1st spring training game with hometown Toronto Blue Jays

Joey Votto sure knows how to make an instant impression, going deep on the first pitch he faced as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays

By PAT GRAHAM
Published - Mar 17, 2024, 04:40 PM ET
Last Updated - Mar 17, 2024, 04:40 PM EDT

Joey Votto sure knows how to make an instant impression, going deep on the first pitch he faced as a member of his hometown Toronto Blue Jays.

The veteran first baseman lined a 392-foot homer to left-center off Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler in the first inning Sunday in Clearwater, Florida, in his inaugural spring training game with Toronto.

Granted, there was some debate about whether the ball actually went out, and Votto momentarily stopped at second base. But the umpires ruled it a homer and he continued on his way to home.

A chance to go home is what led Votto to Toronto in the first place; he agreed to a minor league contract with his hometown Blue Jays earlier this month after spending 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds.

Our Offices
  • 10kInfo, Inc.
    13555 SE 36th St
    Bellevue, WA 98006
  • 10kInfo Data Solutions, Pvt Ltd.
    Claywork Create
    11 km, Arakere Bannerghatta Rd, Omkar Nagar, Arekere,
    Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
4.2 12182024