Cincinnati Reds Legend Joey Votto Hits MLB's Longest Home Run on 40th Birthday
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto returned from the 10-day injured list just in time for his 40th birthday Sunday, and he made sure to celebrate with a bang.
Votto – who didn't make his season debut until June thanks to offseason left biceps and left rotator cuff surgeries – had been out since Aug. 24 due to left shoulder discomfort. After a brief rehab assignment in Triple-A, Votto rejoined the Reds' lineup for their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Slotting in as Cincinnati's No. 6 hitter and starting first baseman in his first game back from injury, Votto started his day 0-for-3 with three groundouts.
By the time Votto's fourth at-bat came around, the Reds were already up 6-1 in the eighth inning. Votto made sure not to go hitless on his 40th birthday, though, crushing a hanging curveball straight down the middle 437 feet to right-center field.
That was the longest home run by any player across all of MLB on Sunday, according to Statcast. Cleveland Guardians outfielder Kyle Calhoun came in second, and even his bomb wasn't within 10 feet of Votto's.
Votto has spent his entire 17-year career with the Reds, making his debut back in 2007 and finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting the following season. Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto won the award that year, but he has been out of the league for six seasons while Votto is still kicking.
The first baseman was named NL MVP in 2010, starting a run of six All-Star appearances in nine years.
Votto ranks second in Reds history in on-base percentage, fifth in slugging percentage, second in OPS, third in RBI, fourth in runs, fifth in hits, second in doubles and second in home runs. The only Cincinnati players with higher career WARs are Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and Barry Larkin.
The home run Votto crushed Sunday was the 356th of his career, which ranks fifth among active players.
Votto is batting .201 with 14 home runs, 35 RBI and a .773 OPS in 52 games this season. He has been a veteran leader on Cincinnati team comprised mostly of rookies and second-year players, helping the team get within 1.5 games of an NL Wild Card spot at 74-71.
The Reds have Monday off, but return to action for a three-game road set with the 66-77 Detroit Tigers starting Tuesday. First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
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