Joey Votto suspended one game by MLB for making contact with umpire

From staff reports

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was suspended for one game and fined by Major League Baseball on Friday for his actions in Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He will serve his suspension tonight, during the opener of the Reds' series against the Chicago White Sox.

MLB said Votto was punished for making contact with home plate umpire Chris Conroy at the end of the third inning. Votto was ejected by Conroy when Votto slammed his helmet to the ground after striking out on a foul tip.

However, Votto didn't know he was ejected until he took the field.

When notified, he charged in from first base and went face-to-face with Conroy, which is when he bumped Conroy.

Making contact with an umpire often results in discipline from MLB.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was suspended for one game earlier this year for bumping an ump.

After the game, Votto took full responsibility for his actions:

"I feel like as a Major League player, I have a responsibility to be a good example for younger players. And making contact with an umpire is unacceptable. During this entire thing, that's the one thing I feel very remorseful for.

"I think it was something that just crossed the line. Just because I have a verbal disagreement with someone, doesn't make it OK to have physical contact with someone. In all of this, that's the thing I regret the most and I'm not happy about it. As Major League players, we have a responsibility to keep everything. We can push the limits as much as we want but never cross that line."

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