Joey Votto explains his unexpected jersey number choice with Blue Jays

Apr 9, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto against the Arizona Diamondbacks during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The sight of Joey Votto wearing a Toronto Blue Jays outfit the next season will be startling, made more so by the jersey number he appears to have selected.

During his first press conference as a member of the Blue Jays organization on Sunday, the former NL MVP disclosed his surprising choice of uniform number, 37.

Votto gave an explanation for his decision, stating that it was made solely because No. 37 was one of the few that could be claimed. He also issued a warning, saying that if he doesn’t make Toronto’s big-league roster, he might not even receive No. 37.

Votto stated, “It was one of the few numbers that was available [for spring],” according to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “I’m concerned that some individuals would wish to purchase the jersey. I simply don’t want folks to squander their cash on potentially worthless items. If I do, we’ll confirm it.

The Toronto native Votto,40, inked a minor-league contract earlier this month with the Blue Jays. He wore No. 19 when playing with the Cincinnati Reds for the first 17 seasons of his career.

The Blue Jays aren’t wearing No. 19 right now, but it’s possible that they’re saving it for six-time All-Star slugger Jose Bautista, who wore the number in Toronto. Votto will therefore be running for almost twice that amount and ought to keep up the fantastic antics as (for the time being) No. 37.