The Reds opened their game in San Diego with a hot start, putting a run on the board within the first two batters. But things unraveled fast when Joey Votto stepped in. After a borderline check swing led to a strike call, Votto exchanged words with the umpires. It escalated quickly, with the home plate umpire ejecting him for what seemed like a minimal reaction. Votto tried to plead his case, got more fired up, and walked off after yelling into the umpire’s radio pack, maybe talking to the replay booth or just venting at close range.
That wasn’t the end of the chaos. A fan near the Reds dugout began shouting and got removed too. He waved to the crowd like a hero, but it was the first inning and he had his family with him, so it wasn’t exactly a triumphant exit. Then Reds manager David Bell got tossed, though it came late. He thought the third base ump did it, but it turned out the crew chief came in after the fact and decided Bell had to go too. Bell didn’t agree, arguing that if they were going to throw him out, do it in the moment, not five minutes later.
The rough start was especially disappointing for a young fan named Abigail. She was at her first MLB game wearing a Votto shirt, only to see him tossed in the first inning. Votto made it up to her. He signed a ball saying he was sorry for not playing the whole game, then met her at the next game, gave her the full experience, and shared a heartfelt moment for Father’s Day, reflecting on his dad’s temper and saying his dad would’ve been proud. Votto may blow up at times, but he clearly cares off the field.