Joey Votto takes selfies with mascots at NHL All-Star Game, has beef with Flyers' Gritty

Free-agent first baseman Joey Votto, who has played his entire Major League Baseball career for the Cincinnati Reds, was on a mission Saturday at the NHL All-Star Game at Scotia Bank Arena in his hometown of Toronto.

Votto's apparent goal was to get a selfie with each NHL team's mascot. His effort was impressive, as you can see from his Instagram account. But he had beef with the Philadelphia Flyers' Gritty along the way.

"Gritty NOT friendly," Votto posted, after Gritty appeared reluctant to pose for the photo. Votto later shared a Gritty photo with the caption, "You had your chance. I'll never forgive you. Go Penguins."

From @Cut4 via Twitter:

Votto shared photos on Instagram with Blades (Boston Bruins), Nordy (Minnesota Wild), Stormy (Carolina Hurricanes), Hunter (Edmonton Oilers), Ice Berg (Pittsburgh Penguins), Bernie (Colorado Avalanche), Mick E. Moose (Vancouver Canucks), Louie (St. Louis Blues) and others.

A tweet from the Buffalo Sabres' Sabretooth:

Jon Heyman reported in January that the Los Angeles Angels are among teams with interest in Votto.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joey Votto takes selfies with mascots at NHL All-Star Game