Votto's stats soar thanks to dear Abigail
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Joey Votto’s turnaround could have a simpler explanation than initially thought.
While there are a number of data-driven reasons for Votto’s resurgence, one Twitter user came forward with a much better one.
Abigail, 6, was in attendance when Votto was ejected in the first inning from the Reds’ June 19 game against the Padres in San Diego, which prompted her mother, Kristin Courtney, to post a photo of her daughter’s reaction.
Word of Abigail’s devastation reached the Reds and Votto, who sent a few gifts to the family, including an apology (on a signed baseball) and tickets to the next night’s game, ahead of which Abigail got to meet her favorite player. That meeting appears to be statistically significant.
Through his first 41 games (one of them shortened), Votto slashed just .234/.327/.441 with eight homers. In 52 games since meeting Abigail, he’s hit .316/.407/.674 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs -- and, at almost 38 years old, Votto has claimed a spot in the National League MVP Award conversation.
On Friday night against the Marlins, Votto added to the growing legacy by crushing a two-run homer 432 feet into the center-field bleachers at Great American Ball Park during the Reds' 5-3 victory.