Reds legend Joey Votto offers ringing endorsement of Brewers' fanbase

Most Milwaukee Brewers' fans remember just how frustrating it was to face Cincinnati Reds' legend Joey Votto for the 17 years he played in the NL Central. The Reds' franchise cornerstone seemed to always put together a good at-bat -- fighting off pitches and working deep counts -- and the product of said at-bats seemed to always be productive -- Votto hardly ever popped up on the infield and maintained an incredibly low strikeout rate for much of his career.

However, as frustrating as it was to play against Votto for nearly two decades, Brewers fans seemingly never include the Reds' icon on their list of least favorite division rivals. While other past NL Central foes and even some current ones immediately come to mind when Brewers fans think of their most hated opponents, Votto, though he was always a tough opponent, seems to garner more respect than hatred, at least now that his playing career is over.

Perhaps it was the admirable way in which Votto played hard and seemed to care more than most other players on the field that made him a respected foe. Votto's style of play certainly mirrors the one the Brewers have emphasized in recent years, so perhaps it's that which makes the Milwaukee faithful look upon him in a more favorable light than other NL Central opponents. Whatever the reason, there's at least an appreciation for who Votto was as a player, even among his strongest adversaries in the Brewers' fanbase.

It appears as if that appreciation is mutual. Votto, who now frequently appears on podcasts and MLB Network, where he's showcased his impressive baseball mind, offered a ringing endorsement of the Brewers' fanbase during an interview on MLB Now earlier today.

Joey Votto calls Brewers' fanbase the best in baseball during latest appearance on MLB Network

During a long response to the question "How big of a playoff threat do you think they will be?" in regard to the Brewers, Votto noted that "Cincinnati's my favorite fanbase, but I actually thought of all Major League Baseball that Milwaukee had the best fanbase."

When later asked if there's a team that he's rooting for on a personal level, Votto once again said the Brewers, noting the fanbases' dedication during years of non-contention before this current period of sustained success as a reason why Milwaukee deserves a World Series championship. Said Votto, "I remember, in Milwaukee, consistently they [the fanbase] showed up when the Brewers weren't a strong team. And I always thought to myself 'this does not get enough credit. This is a fanbase that always supports their team.'" Votto even pointed to the Brewers' fans' tailgate culture as a sign of their dedication and support for the hometown team, in addition to their consistent attendance throughout periods of underperformance.

It's an amazing endorsement, especially from a division rival. Brewers fans, who consistently impress with their attendance numbers despite playing in one of the smallest markets in all of baseball, certainly caught the attention of Votto and absolutely deserve postseason success as the Reds' legend alluded to in his response. Hopefully, 2026 is the year the fanbase finally sees the World Series championship they've been waiting so long for.

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