It had been 10 months since Joey Votto had played in Major League Baseball, but he gave no sign of it when he returned to action Monday night. The 39-year-old Canadian was greeted like a hero by Cincinnati Reds fans and shone against the Colorado Rockies.

When some were wondering how the popular batsman’s left shoulder was doing following his surgery, Votto was quick to give them answers. Near the end of the fifth inning, he stretched his arms out to hit his first home run since August 2022.

Sitting on the bench after his shot, number 19 was given the opportunity to wear the Reds’ Viking helmet and cape, much to everyone’s delight.

Of course, the veteran also had to collect the victory points on this perfect evening in Cincinnati. Votto hit a two-run single to center field in run six to give the Reds a 5-4 win.

The fans were very generous to their favourite, shouting his name at each of his performances and applauding him frantically.

“I feel more like myself. I’m completely healthy again. Ten months is a long time to get back in shape. When I join a team in the middle of a winning streak (nine straight), it’s my responsibility to keep up the pace,” he said at a press conference before the meeting.

The first base player participated in the All-Star Game six times during his career. He also received a gold glove and was voted his team’s most valuable player in 2010.