Reds' Cozart gets 1st look at future life as donkey owner

Apparently, you can't just buy a donkey off the shelf and take him home, at least not legitimately.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart is patiently waiting for the day he can finally take his pet donkey - a prize promised by teammate Joey Votto for making the NL All-Star team - home. First, he needs to learn how to appropriately care for his future pet. The first step, obviously, was bringing an actual donkey to Great American Ballpark on Saturday.

"Zack feels a sense of responsibility to not bring a wild donkey that could hurt somebody or go rogue," Votto told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. "Next thing you know, we've got a donkey in center field."

The donkey who was brought to the ballpark, Amos, hails from Honey Hill Farms in Pendleton County, Ky., the same farm where Cozart's yet unnamed friend waits. Cozart still has plenty to learn, but isn't treating it like a joke.

"I asked them if they could try to make it a house donkey so I could train it to go to the door (to use the bathroom), but I don't think that's going to fly," Cozart said. "They said they are very loyal. They're very protective of the family, which is a good thing, so we'll see. I need to pick their brains a little more about exactly what they eat all the time. There's a lot of questions I have."

Votto has been championing the donkey idea for some time, but also recognizes the lofty levels of responsibility attached. Hence, slowly easing Cozart into donkey ownership instead of simply throwing him in the deep end.

Fans looking to suggest a name for Cozart's future pet can email donkey@reds.com by July 31, and the shortstop will pick a winner sometime in August.