Votto of the Blue Jays posts an emotional letter on social media.
Joey Votto turned to social media on a day off for the Toronto Blue Jays to discuss how being a part of his local team has affected him since an incident that happened six years ago.
In a three-page letter written in cursive and posted as a picture on X (previously Twitter) on Monday night, Votto, forty, talks about the moment in 2018 when he said he felt little connection to Canada following fellow countryman James Paxton’s no-hitter against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
Days after making the statement, “I don’t care almost at all about Canadian baseball,” on a podcast in 2018, Votto expressed regret to both Paxton and the fans. Really, I wasn’t reared in the Canadian baseball community. He stated, “I’m approaching half of my life working and being supported by American baseball here in the United States.” On Monday, he said, he had “some reflections on my previous comments around Canadian baseball.”
Votto revealed on Monday that, following his initial remarks that had the biggest impact on him, his mother Wendy had written him a letter.
Votto wrote, “She chastised me for my words.” “The deference and appreciation I ought to receive for growing up in one of the world’s safest, healthiest, educated, and most tranquil nations. She informed me that my perspective and ego needed to be checked because this is not how you were raised.”
Votto claimed that although he was initially irritated by the message, eventually it dawned on him that it was “time to learn.”
“I sat down with her letter, sad, ashamed and angry at my words,” he said. “Listening to them again, I realized how wrong I was.”
Votto claimed to have sent a letter to his mother in response, promising to “be better” and “grow.” He begged her pardon.
To conclude his letter from Monday, Votto mentioned that he saw a photo of himself wearing a Blue Jays uniform on the front of a newspaper in Toronto.
Hearing what’s going through my head when I look at the picture now is interesting to me. To be honest, I might or might not play for the national team this season. In any case, I just want people who are curious to know that a valuable lesson has been discovered.
“Like my mother has, I hope you can forgive me.”
Baseball Canada commended Votto following the publication of his letter.