The death of the walker

[Captain Cold Nose]

I'm getting a sinking feeling Votto has been talking to fellow Dayton Dragon alum Adam Dunn.

[GiambiJuice]

I'm getting a sinking feeling Votto has been talking to fellow Dayton Dragon alum Adam Dunn.

Dunn could only dream of hitting .289.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Dunn could only dream of hitting .289.

Now, yes. 10 years ago, though . . .

Don't get me wrong, Votto is well ahead of Dunn at this point in their respective careers. But I do believe there is such a thing as being too patient at the plate. Getting on base is good, naturally. One base at a time, though, doesn't always translate positively.

I'm just hoping he settles back into that swing of his. It's a big reason the Reds became contenders again.

[GiambiJuice]

Now, yes. 10 years ago, though . . .

Don't get me wrong, Votto is well ahead of Dunn at this point in their respective careers. But I do believe there is such a thing as being too patient at the plate. Getting on base is good, naturally. One base at a time, though, doesn't always translate positively.

I'm just hoping he settles back into that swing of his. It's a big reason the Reds became contenders again.

I admire Votto's willingness to sacrifice the glory stats like RBI and focus entirely on not making outs, which should be a hitter's number 1 priority. Brandon Phillips has certainly reaped some benefits from Votto constantly being on base in front if him. Phillips is on pace for 189 RBI this year.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I admire Votto's willingness to sacrifice the glory stats like RBI and focus entirely on not making outs, which should be a hitter's number 1 priority. Brandon Phillips has certainly reaped some benefits from Votto constantly being on base in front if him. Phillips is on pace for 189 RBI this year.

If focusing on not making outs means never moving the bat from your shoulder, it's not overly admirable, especially when your team starts losing. It doesn't work for Dunn and I'm not convinced this is the best route to take when you're the best hitter on the team who has more to offer at the plate than keeping the bat on his shoulder while umpires refuse to call strikes.

It's way to early for me to even lift an eyebrow about what pace players are on.

[GiambiJuice]

If focusing on not making outs means never moving the bat from your shoulder, it's not overly admirable, especially when your team starts losing. It doesn't work for Dunn and I'm not convinced this is the best route to take when you're the best hitter on the team who has more to offer at the plate than keeping the bat on his shoulder while umpires refuse to call strikes.

It's way to early for me to even lift an eyebrow about what pace players are on.

That's not Votto.

He swings the bat plenty and does lots of damage when he does. He just won't swing at bad pitches.

Votto was top-6 in the league in base hits in 2010 and 2011. He led the league in doubles in 2011 and would have easily led again last year if not for getting hurt.

[ol' aches and pains]

That's not Votto.

He swings the bat plenty and does lots of damage when he does. He just won't swing at bad pitches.

Hey, it worked for Ted Williams-"Get a good pitch to hit".

[Captain Cold Nose]

That's not Votto.

He swings the bat plenty and does lots of damage when he does. He just won't swing at bad pitches.

Votto was top-6 in the league in base hits in 2010 and 2011. He led the league in doubles in 2011 and would have easily led again last year if not for getting hurt.

I know that's not Votto. That's the point. I don't want him to turn into an Adam Dunn "I won't swing, especially with runners on" type.

My thought is he might still be feeling some lingering affects from the injury, mental or otherwise. I don't mind all the getting on base, but I want the pre-injury Votto.

[White Knight]

Since 1916 anyway...

Most walks through first 12 team games:

22 - Mickey Mantle 1962
21 - Max Bishop 1929
20 - Joey Votto 2013
20 - Ted Williams 1947
20 - Rickey Henderson 1982
19 - Kevin Maas 1991
19 - George Brett 1986
19 - Gary Sheffield 1997

I'm shocked that Bonds isn't on that list several times. His March/April 2004 he had a .696 OBP.

[GiambiJuice]

I'm shocked that Bonds isn't on that list several times. His March/April 2004 he had a .696 OBP.

Somehow Bonds only walked 13 times through the first 12 games in 2004. He did bat .500 though...

[blade1969]

I just noticed that the average number of walks per game was 3.03 last year, which is the lowest total since the true Year of the Pitcher, 1968. It's up a bit this year so far, but I'm guessing that we'll have 4-5 guys this year with 100 walks. Votto would have done it last year if he hadn't gotten hurt, and he'll surely do it this year if he stays healthy. Heck, he's already halfway there.