‘Faith in the Fight’: Cincinnati Reds’ Jake Fraley Opens Up About His 5-Year-Old Daughter’s Cancer Battle
Amidst the intense 2023 MLB playoff race, Jake Fraley, an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, and his wife Angelica noticed something was amiss with their 5-year-old daughter Avery.
“It all began with a limp and back pain,” recounted Angelica. “She stopped walking.”
After numerous visits to doctors and the emergency room, Avery was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“It was extremely challenging,” expressed Jake. “It’s something you can’t fathom. Everyone’s profound darkness is unique, but everyone undergoes profound darkness.”
Confronting Avery’s cancer battle, the Fraleys embraced a singular message and theme—something they shared on Instagram when revealing her diagnosis—a message that offered perspective to their faith and her struggle.
“Purpose.”
This principle is at the forefront as the family supports Avery in the most challenging fight of her young life.
Three Teams Express Interest in Veteran Joey Votto
Veteran first baseman Joey Votto hit free agency for the first time in his career this winter after the Cincinnati Reds declined his 2024 option in November.
Although accustomed to seeing him in a Reds uniform, Votto is not ready to retire from baseball. According to a report by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, three teams have shown interest in signing Votto.
While specific details about the interested teams and the extent of their interest were not disclosed, Votto responded on Twitter/X after the report.
“Oh no, there already is a Grumpy Bear, they don’t need me max pain,” he wrote, accompanied by a GIF featuring the literal Grumpy Bear from The Care Bears.
This news shocked the baseball world, as Votto had spent his entire 17-season MLB career with the Reds. Upon the public announcement of his departure, he took to social media to express gratitude and love for the experience.
“I couldn’t have loved an experience more. And I’m so proud to have played for a team, the oldest major league team, to play for a team that was just endless gifts coming my way,” he said. “I’m so humbled. I’m so grateful. And it couldn’t have happened without all of you. Without the Cincinnati community.”
Describing the free agency journey, Votto likened it to a scene from the movie ‘Gravity,’ where Sandra Bullock’s character detaches from the Explorer, feeling alone and unsure if she will make it back to base—drawing parallels to the uncertain nature of free agency. Throughout his career, Votto achieved remarkable statistics, accumulating 2,135 hits, 1,144 RBIs, and 356 home runs, with a career slash line of .294/.409/.511 and a 144 OPS+.
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