Joey Votto, the beloved first baseman who dedicated his entire 17-season MLB career to the Cincinnati Reds, has officially announced his retirement from baseball. In a heartfelt Instagram video shared on Wednesday, Votto stated, “That’s it. I’m done. I’m officially retired from baseball.”
While the announcement was succinct, Votto took the time to express his deep appreciation for the game and all those who played a role in his lengthy career. He reflected, “I was myself in this sport. I was able to be my best self. I played this sport with every last ounce of my body, heart, and mind. Thank you for everything.”
As he approaches his 41st birthday on September 10, Votto made sure to convey his love for Cincinnati, saying, “I’ve only played for you. I love you.”
Votto’s journey in baseball has been nothing short of remarkable. Known for his exceptional skills, he was a six-time All-Star and won the National League MVP award in 2010. Over his career, he amassed impressive stats, including a .294 batting average, 356 home runs, and 1,144 RBIs across 2,056 games.
This announcement comes after Votto became a free agent last fall following the end of a significant 12-year, $251.5 million contract with the Reds. He signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this year, hoping to play in front of his hometown fans. However, injuries limited his performance, and he ultimately decided it was time to step away from the game.
Reflecting on his decision, Votto acknowledged the evolution of baseball and his own struggles to keep pace. “The pace of the game has accelerated. I am not as quick as I once was,” he noted, emphasizing that he felt his performance was not up to par.
As the baseball community celebrates Votto’s illustrious career, his former teammates and managers have shared their admiration. Reds manager David Bell expressed his pride in Votto’s journey, calling it “extraordinary,” while Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised him as “an incredible player.”
Joey Votto leaves behind a legacy as one of the greats in baseball, and while he may be retiring from the field, his impact on the sport and the city of Cincinnati will undoubtedly endure.
Votto took a moment to express his heartfelt appreciation for his family, friends, former teammates, and managers, including Dusty Baker, who managed the Reds from 2008 to 2013, and Scott Rolen, a former Reds third baseman from 2009 to 2012. He credited Baker and Rolen with teaching him what it means to be a “pro’s pro.”
Drafted by the Reds out of high school with the 44th overall pick in the 2002 MLB draft, Votto made his major league debut on September 4, 2007, against the New York Mets, where he famously hit a home run in his second at-bat after striking out in his first. Over his impressive 17-year career with the Reds, Votto achieved a .294 batting average, hitting 356 home runs and driving in 1,144 RBIs, all while maintaining a .409 on-base percentage across 2,056 games. He was honored as the NL MVP in 2010, received Gold Glove accolades in 2011, and earned six All-Star selections, with his most recent appearance in 2018.
“To all the MLB fans, your cheers motivated me, and I appreciated the boos and the banter. I cherished the moments when I disrupted a city’s vibe or faced challenges on stage,” Votto shared. “I’ll always remember my first visit to Wrigley Field early in my career, where the crowd stood and cheered for my failures. I stood at the plate, smiling, thinking, ‘This is my home. I belong here.’”
After a season plagued by injuries in 2023, Votto became a free agent for the first time since signing a 10-year, $225 million extension with the Reds in 2012. The Toronto native signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays in March, hoping to make his way back to the majors. Ultimately, he decided it was time to retire.
“Toronto and Canada, I wanted to play in front of you. I tried my hardest to represent my people, but I’m just not good enough anymore,” Votto expressed. “Thank you for all the support during my efforts.”
The MLB honored Votto on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “.@JoeyVotto was one of a kind. Congratulations on an amazing career, Joey.” The Reds also chimed in, saying, “We love you too, Joey.”
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