I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

I believe I was at that game for my first New York visit. This is the game used lineup card. Sorry its a little blurry.

No worries about the blur, a joy to see! Hope your visit to see the Big Apple in the Big Apple was fun. That you got to make the trip during the 50th anniversary season is a nice bonus! I got to spend some of my young adulthood living there. Fun place to be. Still remember bringing my now-wife to Shea stadium wearing a Griffey Jr jersey. Fortunately nobody attacked her. Even my bad baseball experience in New York was memorable. It was pretty rough watching the Mets beat the Reds in the '99 one game playoff (at Cinergy Field) from a Times Square sports bar where my misery didn't have much company.

Thanks Frank for your contribution here and also to the Jay Bruce Game Used thread.

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Having fun highlighting the items individually. Here is my absolute favorite bat and one that has several important career milestones attached...Joey Votto use this bat on 6/25/11 to get career hit #600, but before #600 were #598 & 599 which happened to also be career HR's #100 and 101! Worked extremely hard to obtain this bat, from Tim at HOF Bats, which makes it even the more gratifying. MLB authenticated to the break on the following day 6/26/11 (also have amazing pic of that) and was donated by Votto to then Orioles relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez to raffle for funds to help pay for his youth traveling baseball team the St. Pete Saints 12U (have COA from him as well)

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Here is my absolute favorite bat and one that has several important career milestones attached...Joey Votto use this bat on 6/25/11 to get career hit #600, but before #600 were #598 & 599 which happened to also be career HR's #100 and 101! Worked extremely hard to obtain this bat, from Tim at HOF Bats, which makes it even the more gratifying.

Himes:

Every time I hear a whisper about that bat, the sound I feel is thunder! Your photo with the crack revealing in a bolt shape sure isn't going to change that. I've been excited about your good fortune with the 100th HR bat since you and Tim were first talking about it. And, I'll second your applause for Hall of Fame Bats -- Tim is an exceptional among dealers and does things the right way.

Its sure great to see your bat here. Here are pics of the 600th hit ball, which was MLB authenticated when thrown in the dirt to Rolen on the very next pitch. Also, the picture is of the swing that produced hit #600 on the same day and with the same bat (yours) as HRs 100 and 101. Magical Day for Votto and the Reds at Camden Yards.

Tip of the cap to you, Himes! You have an astonishing collection and I'm honored to have seen it in person.

600th Hit Ball
same game, same bat as HRs 100+101

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

To a collector, all items can be special and garner our unique attention no matter how big, or how small. This story that follows may sound silly. Hey, I'll be the first to admit that I rank high in "dork factor". But hey, its a pennant race. Let me explain...

Yesterday Joey Votto went 0 for 5 and the Reds lost to the Brewers, falling 3 1/2 back in the NL Central. So today I actually carried the pictured ball around with me in my pocket. Why? Well today, Votto's Reds were facing Wily Peralta as an opposing starter. And, this ball in my pocket was a Votto hit off Peralta from a prior winning game. I'm not superstitious enough to wear dirty socks, but I do like game used stuff anyway. So, why not!

As luck would have it, Votto ended his sour streak immediately tonight with a 1st inning hit off Peralta -- identical circumstance to career hit #965 (photograph below taken today). Votto also homered tonight. Did this ball in my pocket actually help Votto or the Reds? No, of course not. But it was fun. It brought me and my family closer to today's game, which is one good rationale for me to justify this hobby.

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

The second part of my 100th HR collection is the road jersey that Joey Votto was wearing when he hit the milestone. It shows EXTENSIVE use (very rare for Votto jerseys anymore) and has the added All-Star Game stars on back after he was elected to his 2nd ASG in 2011.

[MLB~NUT]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

The second part of my 100th HR collection is the road jersey that Joey Votto was wearing when he hit the milestone. It shows EXTENSIVE use (very rare for Votto jerseys anymore) and has the added All-Star Game stars on back after he was elected to his 2nd ASG in 2011.

Great Jersey!

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Great Jersey!

+1. Himes, this thread wouldn't be 1/2 of what it has already become without you. Its also a tribute to the respectful rivalry between the Reds and Cardinals that we Reds fans get to share a respectful forum with members like MLB~NUT.

I have a good idea what the third part is, Himes! I'm happy for you that I was accompanying my son in a Redsfest kids-only autograph line and missed it... so he could have have datdude's auto on a practice ball. It worked out for another wonderful collector though. Anticipating you'll present part three with similar elegance as you did the bat and jersey, I can't wait to see part three -- it will be even better than the 1st time! Thanks for helping us all to celebrate Joey Votto!

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

MLB~NUT thank you! Here is item #3 from Joey Votto's 100th HR game. Game used batting helmet that was taken out of game play a week or so later due to stress crack on bill. I'm almost embarrassed to own this for what I paid, but needless to say I am excited to have captured a huge part of this milestone of my favorite player! If any Orioles fan out there has any of the bases or line up card from this game PLEASE contact me!

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

This is the very first glove I purchased for my collection. Bought it from Sports Investments in Cincinnati following the 2008 season and came directly from Reds Clubhouse. It is a game issued Joey Votto 2008 Rawlings outfielders glove signed nicely on back in gold paint pen.

[rchimes13@yahoo.com]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Hoping my continuous posting on this thread will send some "good vibes" to get Votto kick started for last month of season...looks uncomfortable over the last couple weeks Here is a bat I picked up from another GUU member, 2007 GU spring training bat with TREMENDOUS use and also photo-matched to several 2008 Topps cards of Votto's.

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Its a good thing when a guy leads his league at getting on base (OBP) even when he's not looking his personal best. The toughness Votto has shown while playing with limited off days coming back from an injury is pretty impressive. Votto playing through this stretch may speak to the team's resiliency among tough peers. Here is a 2013 ball I particularly enjoy because of respect for this season's competition. The Diamondbacks featuring the other NL All Star First Baseman have showed tremendous will in playing inspired ball in some of this season's most memorable games, league wide. Paul Goldschmidt brings Joey Votto circa 2010 to mind. Joey will likely look to raise his game with intentions of defending his All Star starting honors next year.

I believe this ball will help me look back and remember much of what has made 2013 baseball special. The ball from Joey Votto's career hit# 913 off Wade Miley is displayed below. It remained in play for two additional pitches while Joey Votto and Paul Goldschmidt shared space at 1st. They would get more time together as this was Votto's first of three hits on the night.

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

As Himes' 2007 Spring Training bat shows, Votto wasn't always as clean with his equipment as he is at present. The '08 bat shown below is very unique among Votto's M356 bats I've seen. Obviously it is not MLB authenticated to verify Votto's personal use. A fellow forum member cautioned me about the knob's surface scratching (1st picture). Even with the bat coming from a prior owner I trust, I wrestled with fears about the bat being too messy until finally seeing another M356 with similar game preparation photographed by the Cincinnati Enquirer, in use by Votto. Also, I found relative comfort with the surface scratching on the knob because the "19" is below the surface scratching.

All other things being equal I prefer MLB authenticated bats in the GU database which remove any fears that a bat was used by an alternate player, etc. But, this bat's tremendous use warranted entry to the collection regardless. While its possible that it was used during the regular season, my best guess is that it was used in '08 Spring Training based on the prior owner.

Joey Votto Rookie M356 Bat

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Excuse the oddball humor in advance... Last night Boston scored 20 runs in just eight home innings against the Tigers. Perhaps an opportune time to harness the good fortunes of Joey Votto's red socks.

When Votto closed April 2013 sporting the same style as a newly arrived teammate, he seemed to embrace Shin Soo Choo more than his title of "Face of MLB"... an admirable thing in my eyes for one of a team's leaders.

Did the socks reward Joey? Although the surprise of Dominic Brown earned Player of the Month honors in the NL, Votto followed April with some leading numbers on the diamond. Perhaps Votto didn't get the award because somebody was upset how the face had wore his pants. Regardless, I won't mind seeing whether the power in these red socks May harness some eye popping numbers yet again.

Joey Votto Career Hit #852

[frikativ54]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Did the socks reward Joey? Although the surprise of Dominic Brown earned Player of the Month honors in the NL, Votto followed April with some leading numbers on the diamond. Perhaps Votto didn't get the award because somebody was upset how the face had wore his pants. Regardless, I won't mind seeing whether the power in these red socks May harness some eye popping numbers yet again.

Grammar notwithstanding, you mean to say that Votto's socks may have cost him Player of the Month?

Am I reading you correctly?

[dplettn]

Re: I Collect Joey Votto Game Used Bats, Hit Balls, Jerseys, Gloves, etc

Grammar notwithstanding, you mean to say that Votto's socks may have cost him Player of the Month?

Am I reading you correctly?

Of course not. Just trying to be funny.