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.