Michael Clair and John Fay of MLB.com reported on the real winner of the Reds-Mets game Thursday at the Great American Ballpark.
Joey Votto had a great game, but his best play involved a young fan sitting in the stands. Walter Herbert, 6, also known as Superbubz, has a rare disease known as neuroblastoma, a form of cancer. He and his family had gotten tickets to the game from the Dragonfly Foundation.
Before coming to bat in the bottom of the 7th, Votto pointed to Walter — and then homered. He came around and high-fived Walter before giving him his bat. And, when Votto changed into a new uniform top before the game was over, he gave Walter his game-used jersey too.
Many baseball players are superstitious. Very often, the equipment they use during a good game can become a lucky totem, but Clair and Fay report: Joey Votto doesn’t care for such things.
Already known for gifting donkeys to teammates and baseballs to the often-ignored upper decks, Votto made the young fan’s day.
After learning that Walter’s parents said that the gift meant the world to the young boy, Votto told MLB.com’s John Fay, “That’s all that matters.”
The Reds won over the Mets, 7-2.
We couldn’t be more grateful for making our Dragonfly and his family smile!! (Plus, look at the ripple effect of that kindness!)
Ria Davidson, Co-Founder