Joey Votto runs away with NL MVP (Video)

[courtesy of @CincinnatiReds]

On Monday afternoon, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was named the 2010 National League MVP after receiving 31 of 32 first-place votes.  For those who watched Votto closely this season, the prestigious recognition comes as no surprise considering that he was the most impressive hitter in the NL and arguably in all of baseball.

Nobody covers the Reds like my man Clint over at Diamond Hoggers, and here is what he had say after Votto was announced as MVP:

Votto wins the award by receiving 31 of 32 1st place votes. He finishes “slightly” ahead of Albert Pujols and Carlos Gonzalez. He batted .369 with a 1.129 OPS with runners in scoring position and .370 with a 1.138 OPS in “close and late” situations. He defined everything and anything that a Most Valuable Player should be this past season. He was extremely dominant, and there was no same way to get him out twice.

I had the opportunity to watch Votto time and again this season live and in person. The guy seemed to homer every time I was at the ball park. I can’t tell you the exact words or phrase that describes what it is like to be able to buy your ticket, go through the turnstiles and go watch an MVP whenever you feel like. But I can tell you that multiple times this season I knew when I saw him–that is exactly what I was seeing. It was greatness and poetry in motion all in one at the same time.

No matter how long you watch the game of baseball, you’ll never forget Joey Votto’s 2010. That’s how you know it was a special year.

Congratulations to Joey Votto on his remarkable season and well-deserved MVP award.

Now, if only they had an award for “Best Dismount” after a home run…