All-Star Zack Cozart expects Reds teammate Joey Votto to deliver on donkey pledge

— -- Zack Cozart is a first-time All-Star and expects to be a new donkey owner as well.

Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto promised Cozart in spring training that he would get Cozart a donkey if he made the National League All-Star team. Cozart made good on his end Sunday, when he was voted the NL's starting shortstop.

Cozart said he takes his son to a facility near the Reds' spring training complex, and they feed the donkeys.

Cozart said on ESPN's Baseball Tonight that when Votto made the donkey pledge to him, "it started off as just ha, ha, ha ... but it got real really quick."

He said that he expects Votto to fulfill his promise and now has to search for some land for the donkey to roam.

"Oh yeah, anybody that knows Joey Votto knows that donkey is going to be here," he said. "This is happening -- a legit, real donkey. No name picked out, but that will be the next order of business, that's for sure."

Votto also is on the All-Star team, as he was included in the reserve selections. He had fun with the subject earlier Sunday.

"I'm going to have to give (the donkey guy) a ring," he said. "He doesn't have a phone. He only uses a pager. He's kind of in that black-market business. He'll see it's time to bring that donkey to Cincinnati."

Cozart has hit .322 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in the first half.