Source: Mark Sheldon MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- No longer does Joey Votto have to worry about his profile not being high enough or his performances going unrecognized.
Votto, the Reds' first baseman, was named the National League recipient of the 2010 Hank Aaron Award on Sunday. The honor recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each league. The American League winner is Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays.
Votto and Bautista received their honors from Commissioner Bud Selig and Aaron during a news conference before Game 4 of the World Series in Arlington, Tex.
"This is the first award that I've won in my career, and if it's the last one, what a great honor," Votto said. "You know, I was voted into the All-Star Game by the fans, and this is another fan award, so that means a tremendous amount to me."
The award was first given in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record.
Votto was second in the NL with a .324 batting average, and third in home runs (37) and RBIs (113). The 27-year-old led the NL in OPS (1.024) and batting on the road (.349). He is considered a leading contender for the NL MVP Award, which will be bestowed on Nov. 22.
Overall, Votto ranked in the top three in 11 offensive categories, the top five in 15 categories and the top eight in 18 categories.
From May 15 to July 3, he reached base safely in a career-high 41 straight games, the longest streak for a Reds batter since Pete Rose reached in 48 straight games in 1978.
Before this year's All-Star Game, the baseball world was slow to recognize the year that the reserved and unassuming Votto was having at the plate. The native of Toronto was left off the original NL All-Star roster but was added after 13.7 million ballots were cast for him online through MLB.com's All-Star Final Vote.
Now the fans have come through for him again, with the public portion of the Hank Aaron Award voting beginning at MLB.com on Oct. 5, but there was an important twist this year.
For the first time in the 12-year history of the award, a special panel of Hall of Fame players -- which included Aaron -- joined fans in voting. Also on the panel were Harmon Killebrew, Willie McCovey, Paul Molitor, Tony Gwynn, Billy Williams and Robin Yount.
"I'm really a big fan of the game -- and especially the history of the game. So to have been picked by Hall of Famers, players I looked up to and read about, that means a lot to me," Votto said.
To win the Hank Aaron Award, Votto beat out a lengthy list of nominees that included Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, David Wright of the Mets, Adam Dunn of the Nationals, Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres, Ryan Howard of the Phillies and Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies.
He was particularly honored on Sunday to be recognized alongside Bautista, who led the Major Leagues in 2010 with 54 home runs.
"It's a great thing, man," Votto said. "I was picked as the best offensive player in the National League, and the guy next to me ... hit 54 home runs. It's a great accomplishment, and it's special."
Pujols and the Yankees' Derek Jeter were the 2009 winners of the Hank Aaron Award.
