MLB Network has had its fair share of memorable guests over the years, but there is, perhaps, no player that has stood out on its airwaves more than Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto. Over the years, Votto has appeared across the network’s programming and created many perdurable moments, including wearing a Canada Day outfit on Intentional Talk. Yet his latest moment with Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on the afternoon show, High Heat, may have eclipsed the previous conversations.
Votto mentioned to Russo how a couple of months ago, he heard him say that he and Zack Greinke are players that should not be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Instead, Russo suggested they be placed in the “Hall of Very Good” players, arguing for more exclusivity to be required in order to enter Cooperstown. In response, Votto accused Russo of discriminating against them since they have played a majority of their careers in smaller domestic market areas, such as Cincinnati, Ohio and Kansas City, Mo.
“You’re looking down on us,” Votto said. “A couple small market, midwest ball players – just because we’re not ‘Big City’ just like you.”
Seemingly in jest, Votto continued his rant and referred to Russo as a New York City superstar, especially since he has his own SiriusXM satellite radio channel, appears on ESPN’s First Take and hosts his program on MLB Network. For the duration of the rant, Russo smiled and ostensibly held back a burst of laughter until the very end, along with co-host Alanna Rizzo.
“ESPN star with your 5th Avenue ties and your crisp pocket squares; your tailored suits and your polished suits,” Votto said. “And your hair – your perfectly quaffed, Broadway hair. Must be nice to sit atop that Madison Avenue ivory tower looking down on us with those luscious locks. Not everyone can be the next Roger Peckinpaugh, Mad Dog. You should be ashamed of yourself – you’re a disgrace!”
Peckinpaugh was a former Major League Baseball shortstop and winner of the Most Valuable Player award as a member of the Washington Senators in 1925. Throughout his 17-year major league career, he played with the Senators, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians. In 1924, he and the Senators captured the organization’s only World Series championship. Votto seems to have referred to him because of his excellence as a player in varying marketplaces, along with his consistency as a manager in Cleveland.
Even so, Russo pumped his fist to conclude the portion of the interview – the full version of which premieres today at 11 p.m. on MLB Network. It will be interesting to see how the remainder of the conversation went and how Votto demonstrates his baseball expertise while keeping viewers enthralled and entertained.
