Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Bowman Sterling

Acquired: In Person

Comments: Really stoked to add this one to the collection. I'll be working on getting all the Reds cards from the 2009 Goudey set signed. Even though it's a small set of cards, there will be some tough ones. - Davey Concepcion and Johnny Bench. I'm not sure how to track down Davey right now... and Johnny will just be a little expensive.

Joey signed this card for me at Jungle Jim's, which is probably one of the most insane grocery stores in the world. After playing and extra innings game against the dodgers last week, and striking out FOUR times in that game, Joey made it to the signing and couldn't have been any nicer. Even after waiting in line over an hour from when he arrived, he was just as nice to us as if you first person in line. Joey's got it down... and I know fans appreciate that. He is truly one of the good guys in the game.

What a fantastic card, too. Great illustration of Joey on his follow-through swing. Epic moment. Great card for an autograph.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2007 Bowman Sterling

Acquired: eBay

Comments: I'm pretty stoked that Joey is back. Not only for the Reds sake, but his own as well. Sounds like the past few months have been hell for him. Hopefully he is truly on the road to recovery now.

So, this is one of my favorite cards. Design-wise, it does break away from the traditional baseball card mold - using a small photo and placing the main emphasis on the autograph. Nothing wrong with that every now and then. The main point of this card is captured right at the top of the card - "PROSPECT". Dudes bust cases of this like there's no tomorrow, stash the cards and wait until players blow up to flip the cards to nerds like me. The nice thing about picking this card up was I acquired it during the off season, and got a pretty good price on it.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Upper Deck Premier (Silver Edition)

Acquired: eBay

Comments: Getting cards signed in-person and thru the mail is great. But, a few certified autographs here and there are pretty nice as well.

Hopefully Joey is coming off the DL soon. From they way Dusty has been talking lately, he's getting better. I really do hope he is. Baseball is just a game, and I hope Joey is getting the break he needs for his own sake. All the rest will fall into place after that.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Upper Deck SP

Acquired: eBay

Comments: I won this card in an auction late last year for some ridiculously low price - just a few dollars. Good thing I was shopping then, since prices have shot up quite a bit now that the 2009 season is in full swing. Even Joey being on the DL isn't hampering things. Collectors know that he's going to be a stud for a long time to come. While there are a few flaws with the card - most noteabley the cut-off signature - I really like it. It has a nice, modern design, an auto and a jersey swatch, plus, it's horizontal. I just dig the horizontal cards.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Upper Deck Timelines

Acquired: TTM 1/1 3/19/2009 (36 days)

Comments: Another auto from big Jo-Eh! I shot this sucka off at the beginning of spring training, not expecting to get it back until the end of the season. Well, low-and-behold, I it was in my mail box on March 19th. Very kind of Joey to hook me up during the spring. The Joey Votto collection is starting to beef up a little bit, and I've got a few others two - including two on baseballs. Nice!

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Topps Redsfest

Acquired: In person at Spring Training game

Comments: Joey was kind enough to sign for some fans before a spring training game I attended in Sarasota with my wife. His signature is darn consistent between in person, certified autos and TTM. He's got it down pat. If anything, that particular certified autograph is the sloppiest of the bunch. Go figure!

Joey is the man - he signed for a ton of folks before the Reds/Rays game we were at, then when we saw the Reds play the Phillies in Clearwater a few days later - he was signing again! Yep, I did end up getting him twice. The second autograph went on a WBC ball I got while I was in Toronto for the first round of the World Baseball Classic.

These Redsfest cards are handy to get signed. The was the first year I came to spring training trying to get any autographs. I didn't have a lot of time to plan, and I didn't want to carry around a ton of stuff (or a binder) with items for anyone I might possibly get an autograph from. So, I grabbed a few of these cheap-o Redsfest cards (Votto, Harrang, Keppinger, Phillips), my WBC OMLB and a regular OMLB. I kept it simple, and it was fun. I got a handful of Reds on my baseball and, like I mentioned before, Joey on my WBC ball. This was the only Redsfest card I got signed, and it'll be added to my nephew's growing collection.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Autograph (HA-JV)

Acquired: eBay

Comments: This is a killer card. Though the scan doesn't really show it, it's a nice design. The autograph itself isn't the greatest, but that's what you get with sticker autographs, right? If this autograph was on-card it would be something really special.

Joey's the man.

Joey Votto

Who: First Baseman Joey Votto

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Card: 2008 Topps Heritage

Acquired: TTM 1/1 10/20/08 (?? days)

Comments: Big return right here! Mr. Votto is part of that young nucleus that will lead the Reds to glory over the next few years - at least we hope so. Joey comes correct with a great looking auto on a great looking card. A huge thanks to Joey for signing my card. It's a great add to the collection. Go Reds!