Cincinnati Reds Dugout: What Is REALLY Wrong with Joey Votto?

Joey Votto has developed a health crisis this season.

Of the 47 games the Reds have played thus far, Joey has already missed eight of them and has had to come out of games as least twice.

The problem that the Reds explain is dizziness caused by an inner-ear infection, a residual effect from a recent bout with the flu.

I am not a doctor, and don’t play one on TV, but I have survived a stroke and know a thing or two about headaches and balance disorders.

Dizziness is one of the most ambiguous abnormalities of them all.  It could be an inner-ear infection, it could come from blood sugar problems, could be blood pressure or it could be the result of panic attacks, other known as anxiety attacks, panic disorders, etc.

I am not saying that the problem Votto is dealing with is panic.  I have had panic attacks and they are frightful.  Dizziness can be a part of it and can become disabling.

Jim Eisenreich comes to mind when I think of a young player with spectacular abilities and a promising future.  Jim suffered with Tourette syndrome, not panic disorders.  However, a parallel could be drawn between the two.

After a four year minor league career, Eisenreich batted .324 and was called up to the Twins in 1982 and played from opening day 'til the 10th of June, batting .303.  He only played in a total of 14 games in 1983 and 1984.  He then went on a medical sabbatical for three years.

The point I am making is that when someone has experienced a troubling situation, such as a dizzy spell, familiarity becomes a problem.  In other words, playing in a ballpark surrounded by tens of thousands of people, a dizzy spell could trigger an anxiety attack.  Sometimes a person can have them again in a similar situation.

Soon, a person wants to be removed from the situation he is currently in, namely the panic attack or dizzy spell.

Again, to clarify, I am not insinuating that this is the problem with Joey Votto.  I would hate to see such a promising career, be hindered by an internal health problem.

Votto is such a talent and team leader (if you can call a 25 year-old a team leader) and the Reds need him to stay healthy if they have a chance to win the NL Central or a Wild Card. 

Let us all hope it is just a temporary malady that will run its course and leave Joey the ballplayer he has always been.