Votto: It's time to move on from booing Astros over cheating scandal

Veteran Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto thinks it's time to put the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal - and particularly the ongoing chorus of boos - to bed once and for all.

"There's no question about it," Votto said on the "Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday. "The idea that they were the only ones doing something wrong just baffles me."

The Astros opened a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night. Houston beat L.A. in the 2017 World Series, which was later revealed to be during the height of the scandal.

Dodgers faithful booed Astros players mercilessly and repeatedly before throwing an inflatable trash can - a symbol of their cheating method - onto the field of play. A similar event occurred during Houston's game against the Chicago White Sox in July.

Astros second baseman and 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve was one of the recipients of cacophonous jeers on Tuesday night. Votto says he's a fan of the infielder and chats with him when they play against one another.

"I like him a lot," he said. "I've had lots of conversations with him. We talk about hitting almost entirely. ... He came out and said that he had no part in it, and I have to believe a person. I'm assuming he's telling the truth, so I'm going to believe him, and we move on from there."