Why Joey Votto is the MVP. Still.

Issue: Is it because he absolutely rakes?

Short Answer: Well, yeah.  But he does so much more for the Reds.

Reasoning:  Now that the high school baseball season is over I will have more opportunities to do exactly what I did last night - catch most of the Reds' game.  The Reds came into the game losers of six in a row, and most of those losses were achieved in head-shaking fashion.  However, the Reds of 2010 showed up last night, stealing a win in the 9th from the Philadelphia Phillies.  Heading into the 9th the score was knotted at three a piece, and the Phillies were bringing in closer Ryan Madson.  Coming into Tuesday night Madson was 2-0 on the year with a 0.47 ERA and 9 saves (in 9 opportunities).  Let's pick up the action in the top of the 9th:

• After Edgar Renteria flew out to center, Drew Stubbs laid down a bunt-base-hit attempt.  It was a below average attempt, as bunters know when they bunt for a hit it should be "perfect or foul."  Stubbs damn near bunted the ball right back to the pitcher.  However, Madson came off the mound, tried to rush the throw, and chucked it down the right field line.  Stubbs should have bought the score keeper a beer or two, because, somehow, he/she/it scored the play a single.  Stubbs did reach 2nd on Madson's throwing error.
• Brandon Phillips then lined sharply to shortstop.  Two outs.
• With Joey Votto striding to the dish, everyone in the world (literally, every single person) knew Madson would intentionally walk him.  And, for the first time in history, everyone in the world was correct.  But that isn't what makes Votto the MVP (I hope none of you thought it was).
• Scott Rolen then reached on an infield single when he hit a hard ground ball down the 3rd base line which Placido Polanco had to dive for (this is the Votto-for-MVP play - I'll explain in a second).  Bases loaded, still two down.
• Jay Bruce, after a pop-up and two strikeouts in the game, came to the dish and delivered a bases clearing double.  Reds win 6-3.  Jay Bruce is the hero, right?  Wrong.  Joey Votto is.

Let me take you back to Scott Rolen's infield single.  First, Polanco probably did not have to dive for the ball, but, he did.  This was the exact right play too.  With a runner on 2nd and two outs, infielders have to dive after every single ball they can get to, in an effort to keep the ball on the infield.  If the ball gets to the outfield, the run scores.  If the ball stays in the infield, the runner can only advance to 3rd, and the offensive team still needs another hit to score.  That is why you see infielders dive after balls they know they can't make a play on in that situation.  It was the right play by Polanco.  But, Polanco didn't plan for Joey Votto.  See, Votto was on 1st base the whole time, doing what Joey Votto does - make baseball plays.  He got his proper leadoff, a great secondary lead, and was off on contact.  Polanco popped up quickly and immediately turned to throw to 2nd base for the force play.  Again, the exact right play.  But Polanco could only manage a pump-fake.  Why?  Because Votto was already sliding in to 2nd base.

If you can go back and watch the play, please do.  Problem is, I don't know where you are going to find video of an unexciting infield single.  Watching the play on someone's DVR is about the only way you are going to see it again.  Take it from me, it is hard to comprehend how Votto was that quick to reach 2nd base.  Maybe he has speed to go along with his uncanny approach at the plate and Gold Glove caliber leather at 1st base (did you see the play he made on Jimmy Rollins' ground ball down the 1st base line?  You can check it out here.  Sick.).  Maybe Dusty should give him the steal sign more.  Or, maybe, just maybe, Votto is one of those players who doesn't care that not a single person outside the Reds' clubhouse is giving him any credit for the Reds winning last night (except me, that is).  It's all about Jay Bruce's 3-run double in Cincinnati today.  People, please listen up -  Jay Bruce would never had the opportunity to drive in the winning run without Joey Votto making an unheralded, heads-up, baseball play.  He busted his butt in the name of a team victory, not MVP votes.  Yet, he's got my vote for MVP already (if I, you know, had a vote for NL MVP).

Dude is a freakin' ball player.