Reactions: Joey Votto, Cubs' Rowan Wick exchange words; Votto mourns with Buffalo, Uvalde
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto exchanged words with Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rowan Wick during the 8th inning of the Reds' 4-3 win Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park, but Votto did not want to discuss the exchange with Bally Sports Ohio's Jim Day on the field after the game out of respect for the victims of recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas.
Wick threw a pitch up and in during Votto's 8th-inning at-bat, and when Votto later walked, Wick appeared to use profanity in addressing Votto. Votto appeared to yell at Wick, a fellow Canadian, and at the Cubs' dugout.
"You know, today I really don't - I haven't felt in the mood to talk ball today," Votto told Day afterward on Bally Sports Ohio, when asked whether Wick said something to him. "I just wanted to say to Buffalo, to Uvalde, to communities that were affected by the recent shootings: We mourn with you. You know, it's unfathomable. And you have our love, you have our support. You know, we just got done enjoying a ballgame. But, you're not alone. We think about you. And you have our love and support. So that's all I really wanted to say tonight. It's been a wild stretch over the last little bit, and we're so sorry. Our condolences. My condolences. And again, you have our love. Thanks."
Social media reactions:
Joey Votto shares his thoughts on the tragic shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde. pic.twitter.com/u0wHvmGnsy
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 26, 2022
Joey Votto delivers an emotional message to the communities of Buffalo and Uvalde. pic.twitter.com/3YOMZiN32a
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) May 26, 2022
Rowan Wick on Votto: “I understand he’s been in the league a long time, and he can do whatever he wants when he walks."
Votto: "You give it to me, no problem; I’ll f—ing give it back, you know.”https://t.co/AWazcEwLTT— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) May 26, 2022
After further review (thanks Bally Sports replay), Rowan Wick said something to Joey Votto after the four-pitch walk. Votto continued the conversation from first base with Cubs dugout.
Nothing further after Votto was out at second base on a force out.— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 26, 2022
Some words are being exchanged between Joey Votto and the Cubs' dugout. pic.twitter.com/9qsPDPmYYR
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) May 26, 2022
Joey Votto was heated and had some words for Rowan Wick & the Cubs dugout 👀
(via @BallySportsCIN)pic.twitter.com/REmJtE3CxL— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 26, 2022
Cubs reliever Rowan Wick throws up and in on Joey Votto then yells at him after walking him on four pitches
Then Reds reliever Hunter Strickland hits Patrick Wisdom and Chicago manager David Ross gets ejected pic.twitter.com/ImaZGPA7FR— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 26, 2022
Joey Votto discusses what happened between him and Cubs reliever Rowan Wick in the 8th inning and insists that Hunter Strickland was not intentionally throwing at Patrick Wisdom in the 9th. pic.twitter.com/KVouzwsHQf
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) May 26, 2022
"You know, we were just - (Wick) had something to say, and I answered," Votto told reporters later. "And that's how ball is sometimes. You're competitive. And clearly he was competing and locked in on performing well. And I'm pulling on the opposite end of the same rope. And if someone says something to me, sometimes I don't answer. But I wasn't in the mood to keep my mouth shut. And you know, it's part of the game. It can be one of the more enjoyable parts of the game - you know competing, some talk. I really enjoy that part of the game. Sometimes it can be overextended, can be taken too far. But generally speaking, I enjoy that part as long as the other party is fine with taking it. You know, you give it to me, no problem. I'll (expletive) give it back."
After Reds reliever Hunter Strickland hit the Cubs' Patrick Wisdom in the 9th, Cubs manager David Ross was ejected for arguing with umpires.
"You don't put the tying run at the plate with one out," Votto continued, when discussing whether Strickland hit Wisdom on purpose. "That was absolutely unintentional. You know, we are trying to win a baseball game, and our closer's coming in - and he just misfires a ball. There's no - we don't get paid for retribution. We get paid to complete games, to perform well. And the idea that he did that on purpose in the 9th inning (leading by) two runs - what? And people have every right to think what they think. But it couldn't have been less intentional. And they may not accept that - hey, that's fine. No problem. We'll keep playing."
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joey Votto, Rowan Wick have words; Votto mourns with Buffalo, Uvalde