Joey Votto

Reds star Joey Votto apologizes for Canada remarks

Published May. 16, 2018 12:36 p.m. ET

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has apologized for saying he doesn't care about Canadian baseball after being asked about James Paxton's recent no-hitter.

Votto talked about Paxton's feat for the Mariners against the Blue Jays in Toronto in a Yahoo Sports podcast. The 2010 NL MVP responded that "As far as Toronto, and Canadian baseball, and the country of Canada, and (Paxton) being Canadian, I don't care at all."

The Toronto native said he is "terribly ashamed" of his comments and called them "ridiculously selfish and short-sighted" in an email posted on the Canadian Baseball Network website.

Votto said the question brought back feelings of resentment over not making Team Canada or being drafted by the Blue Jays. Votto played for Canada at the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classics.

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Joey Votto

Cincinnati Reds

Major League Baseball