Griffin: Jocketty compares Canadians Walker and Votto

When Walt Jocketty was GM of the St. Louis Cardinals, he brought in an aging Larry Walker in the second half of the 2004 season. Even slowed by injuries and age, Jocketty knew that he had a special player in the Maple Ridge, B.C. legend.

Now that Jocketty is with the Reds, he has come in on the ground floor of another starry Canadian, Etobicoke native Joey Votto's career. Votto is poised to capture his first MVP Award and is in the post-season for the first time.

 “Larry was an outstanding major-league hitter for a long time," Jocketty said. "I think Joey, certainly, is on the path to do the same. He just continues to get better and better because he works so hard. He'as so disciplined and dedicated to being the best player that he possibly can.  

“I would say that Joey's a little more serious. Walk is a fun guy. He just was loose, he had fun and he was very good at what he did. He had great natural ability, but he played hard, worked hard. I think Joey has probably had to work harder. It came easier for Larry. Joey's probably a little bit more serious, but also is probably as gifted an athlete as Larry was. That's probaby the big thing. Larry was very loose and had fun."