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Votto disappointed with Reds: 'This is the worst start I've ever seen'

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Cincinnati Reds' franchise player is not happy about the team's performance.

First baseman Joey Votto discussed how he felt about playing in Cincinnati and the Reds' poor start to the year during an interview with the "Yahoo Sports MLB Podcast."

"I genuinely hope that we’re trending in the right direction, but this is the worst start I’ve ever seen. If I’m not mistaken, it’s been noted in the past that this was historically one of the worst starts for this franchise. There are so many people that are losing interest in our organization - and deservedly so. It hasn’t been a fun time to be a Cincinnati Reds fan," Votto said.

The interview with Yahoo was conducted before the Reds put together a six-game winning streak - which was snapped Monday - but the six wins only brought their total on the season to 14. Cincinnati owns the worst record in the National League and only three teams - the Orioles, Royals, and White Sox - have fewer wins.

The Reds already fired manager Bryan Price and pitching coach Mack Jenkins on April 19. And while there have been improvements under interim manager Jim Riggleman, Votto is taking the team's poor performance personally.

"Not often does a player get to speak the way I’m speaking right now because my role is to do my job on the field and pretty much zip my lips, which makes sense," Votto added.

"But in the same breath, I’ve been with this franchise for, I think, 17 years now. You can say things are business, but to be honest with you, I was a kid when I signed with this franchise, I take it personally. This is a personal thing to me. People inside of the organization in all likelihood are not going to enjoy my responses. But it’s been disappointing."

Votto, who signed a 10-year extension with the Reds in 2012 worth $225 million, is one of just five players on the team with an OPS above .800.

The team's pitching staff has posted the second-worst ERA in the NL (4.83) and allowed an MLB-leading 62 home runs.

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