Joey Votto Spotted With Massive Canadian Beard at Redsfest and He Looks Totally Different

Cincinnati Reds fans are in for a treat! Saturday is the second day of Redsfest, which is the Reds' team version of MLB's "FanFest" where Reds fans have the opportunity to engage with some of their favorite players.

One Reds player in particular looks a bit different this offseason. Veteran first baseman and fan favorite Joey Votto is sporting quite a bushy beard, as opposed to the clean shaven appearance he's sported for the past 13 years.

Maybe that's not the most flattering comparison to make between different beards, but it sure is accurate. Votto might've taken no-shave November a week too far.

What might've caused Votto to sport the beard? Maybe he's trying something different after two back-to-back seasons of regression.

Votto hasn't hit over 15 home runs or 67 RBI's in either of the last two seasons, after hitting 36 homers and 100 RBI's in 2017, where he finished second in MVP voting.

The Reds have also been mired in a playoff slump, having not reached the playoffs since 2013 when they lost the NL Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A beard might not have tangible effects on a ballplayer's ability to hit, but it could have a positive impact on Votto's psyche.

Or maybe he could pull a James Harden, grow the beard even more, and become league MVP for a second time. We'll see if the beard is still there when spring training rolls around.