Former Cincinnati Reds great Joey Votto said during NBC's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast of Cincinnati's game against the Cubs in Chicago he had a pregame message he delivered to Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
"I had a conversation before the game and told him, 'I want you to watch (Pete Crow-Armstrong) today. When PCA gets these MVP chants, that's going to be Elly De La Cruz in 2027.' And I think he's motivated. … He has every single tool identical to PCA. He just has not tapped into his full potential. And his full potential is best player in baseball."
Votto added that he's been impressed with fellow Reds infielder Sal Stewart.
"He's had a special year," Votto said.
Before the game, Votto explained the impact a moment at Wrigley Field from
early in his MLB career had on him.
Earlier, Votto shared a message with Reds fans in a video on his Instagram story ahead of the broadcast, to which he's contributing as an analyst.
In July, Votto explained during NBC's Sunday Night Baseball broadcast why he's never visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Votto also was asked while making his NBC Sunday Night Baseball debut July 26 whether he ever lobbied to play the outfield, and he mentioned a painful memory.
Votto generated buzz on social media with his responses to questions on "MLB Now" from MLB Network's Brian Kenny about whether Votto is interested in working for his former team.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joey Votto tells Elly De La Cruz the 2027 MVP chants will be for him
