cincinnati
During a recent appearance on MLB Network's "MLB Now," former Cincinnati Reds standout Joey Votto was asked whether he believes there should be restrictions on how much a player can celebrate a home run. The question arose after Junior Caminero took an extended 38.66 seconds to round the bases following his seventh-inning homer in the Tampa Bay Rays' 7-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians, a victory that secured the Rays' spot in the World Series.
Votto's response was unequivocal: "No, he's got me smiling," he said. "I'm so excited for that moment because it's a game-changing, season-changing moment." He then referenced a tweet from Pedro Martinez that essentially said, "This is the way we play." Votto noted that both Martinez and Caminero are Dominican baseball players, adding, "'This is the way we play. We show our passion. We show our enthusiasm for the sport, for our country, for everything that we've come from in these particular moments.'"
Votto continued by painting a vivid picture of the scene: "I saw a young man who's about to go to the World Series, and really, he was just a kid. And if you're at home, and you're tuning into your Tampa Bay Rays, about to go to the World Series, you're in your living room, pumping your fists, jumping up and down, dancing with your kids. And Caminero is doing that on the field with you. And I think that it's just a beautiful thing."
Reflecting on the evolving culture of the game, Votto acknowledged the old-school approach: "I understand back in the day, you put your head down and you try to act like you've done it before. We're not there anymore." He emphasized that Caminero's celebration was especially meaningful because the young player isn't a consistent home run hitter during the regular season. "When you hit 40, 50 home runs, you're experienced. But he's not doing this on a consistent basis during the regular season. He's doing this in this one particular moment. I loved it."
When Chris "Mad Dog" Russo argued that Caminero's celebration was excessive, Votto pushed back. "I, Caminero and players that are in the box on a consistent basis, getting balls fired at us under our chin, over our head—what do we owe to the average pitcher? Truly. Yandy Diaz got hit yesterday. What do we owe to you? We owe you nothing. And you know what, when we get you in a big moment, we're going to dunk on you and celebrate. And that's what I saw from Caminero."
Key Analysis
Votto's comments highlight a growing acceptance of player expression in baseball, contrasting with traditional unwritten rules that discouraged overt celebrations. His perspective as a former MVP and veteran lends weight to the argument that emotional displays can enhance the game's appeal, especially for younger fans. The exchange also underscores the cultural shift in how players from diverse backgrounds express themselves on the field.
Beyond this discussion, Votto recently shared with Foul Territory his belief that the Reds have an "underinvestment in the easy wins." When asked what his top priority would be as general manager, he said, "I would trade Elly for as many prospects as possible to start." Earlier in the month, Votto mentioned that he got to see the clock he gifted during a visit to Crosley Terrace outside Great American Ball Park. In September, he replied to Hall of Famer and Reds analyst Barry Larkin's rant after a loss to Chicago by tweeting, "Captain Lark 100 (emoji)."
Originally reported by cincinnati.