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Despite losing a large lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 23, which resulted in a 13-12 loss, the Cincinnati Reds rallied on Sept. 24 to earn a 4-2 win over the Pirates. Joey Votto was the star of the show during Sunday’s game, which could potentially be his last home game with the Cincinnati Reds. According to CBS Sports, Votto is in the final year of his Reds contract. Votto received cheers and standing ovations from the crowd throughout the entire game on Sunday.
Keep scrolling for everything we saw during the Cincinnati Reds’ last regular home game on Sept. 24.
Photos by Anders Saling
Joey Votto Said What About Aliens?
Looking back on this far-out prediction from Joey Votto is bittersweet. For one, aliens did not give the Reds the help they needed this season, and two, we miss him already.
On Feb. 27, Major League Baseball’s Instagram account urged users, “Drop your boldest NL Central prediction” and tagged players from the division’s teams to answer, including Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto. And yes, Votto’s thoughtful, reasonable, not-at-all-batshit theory was as glorious as you’d hope: “Extra terrestrials arrive on earth, April 15th. The 12-2 Reds and the rest of the planet learn from, communicate with, and befriend our alien friends,” Votto commented below the post. “This process takes 5 months. Play resumes in October. The Reds sweep the playoffs and are World Series champs.”
This, sadly, did not happen. The Reds went 82-80 and the 40-year-old Votto became a free agent after he had his $20 million club option declined by the Reds.
But, Votto did make a side note in that wonderfully weird Instagram comment, saying: “The aliens ask if I would like to accompany them on their ship back to their plant. I oblige. Never to be seen again.” Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto takes a curtain call during what possibly be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto takes a curtain call during what possibly be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto takes a curtain call during what might possibly be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto hangs out of the dugout during what could possibly be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto comes up to bat and the crowd gives him a standing ovation | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingElly De La Cruz goes into the locker room | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto comes up to bat in what might possibly be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto in the dugout during what could potentially be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJonathan India prepares to field a ball | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJonathan India prepares to bat | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingBuck Farmer prepares to throw a pitch | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingLuke Maile waits in the dugout | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingThe Reds end the regular home season with a win | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingElly De La Cruz throws to first base | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto comes up to bat in what might be his last home game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingThe Reds mascots run a race on the warning track | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingTyler Stephenson asks the umpire for a ball | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto steps up to bat and the crowd gives him a standing ovation | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingBrandon Williamson throws a pitch | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto dances on first base | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto stands on first base | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingTJ Friedl celebrates hitting a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingElly De La Cruz chills out in the dugout | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto sits in the dugout | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJake Fraley fouls off a ball | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingTJ Friedl celebrates hitting a home run | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto sits in the dugout | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingJoey Votto stands on first base | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders SalingAlexis Diaz comes in to close the game | Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates | Sept. 24, 2023 Photo: Anders Saling
