Joey Votto Trolled Young Phillies Fans Yesterday

The Reds’ Joey Votto had some fun at the expense of some Phillies fans on Sunday afternoon. He walked towards the crowd twice, once after a foul ball he caught on the ground and after an inning on his way back to the Reds’ dugout, and faked throwing a ball in the crowd. Votto was really pleased with himself as he pumped his fist after the fake out. The fans, of course, booed him.

Later on, he trolled some more fans.

This angle isn't a good look for Votto. (@TishlerHarrison) pic.twitter.com/8PMfVI1MMj

— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) May 15, 2016

Ben Davis hand-delivered an autographed Mike Schmidt baseball – because, you see, it’d be too much for Schmidt to do it himself – to the fan that Votto messed with.

The kid that Joey Votto tried to punk gets an autographed Mike Schmidt ball. How great is that?#Phillies pic.twitter.com/1W8rP8vKw3

— Philly Red (@PhillyReddd) May 15, 2016

Here’s what Votto said after the game:

If you can’t view the video:

I was just having fun out there. They give you a hard time during the game, and that’s my way of giving them a hard time back. Really, it’s just me playing around. I was telling, I think it was Galvis, just how much fun I have coming here because it’s such an energized bunch and they get on you if you’re not doing your job. They get on you if you’re on the other team, if you’re giving them a hard time. It’s a really fun group here.”

While it might be a a crappy moment to the young fans, I don’t think they’re losing sleep over it, nor are they as outraged as some adults are. Votto’s having a terrible season so far, so he needs to have fun somehow. And, hey, he likes us. He really likes us.

It’s also worth noting Votto has gone through serious issues in recent years and opened up about a mental health problem as he’s battled depression ever since his father passed away. Cut the guy a break. It wasn’t malicious.