Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has announced his retirement from baseball Wednesday’s heartfelt Instagram post.
Votto, 40, hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2023, his final season with the Reds. He was signed by his hometown Toronto Blue Jays this offseason, but never made the big league roster.
A six-time All-Star, one-time National League MVP and one-time Gold Glove winner, Votto was one of the most consistent hitters in the game throughout his illustrious prime. He has a .294 average, .920 OPS and clubbed 356 home runs in 2,056 career games.
He played 17 seasons in the pros, all of them in Cincinnati, going down as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
In a message to his family, friends and many on social media, Votto bid “thank you” to everyone involved in his life.
“Toronto + Canada, I wanted to play in front of you. Sigh, I tried with all my heart to play for my people. I’m not good anymore. Thank you for the support during my efforts,” Votto said. The city of Toronto and its fans in his statement.
“Cincinnati, I only played for you. I love you,” he told the city where he spent nearly two decades.
“Finally, to the MLB fans. You cheered me on with your cheers, the boos, the trash talk, the moments when I broke the road cities or the moments when I was humbled on the podium. I’ll never forget early in my career. , the first time I stood at Wrigley Field, I stood at the plate and smiled. I remember, I was myself in this game and I played this game to the last ounce of my body, heart and mind.
Votto retired as the Reds’ second all-time home run hitter behind Johnny Bench’s 389, one of baseball’s all-time greats. His 2,135 career hits rank fifth in franchise history, and he is tied for third. 1,144 with RBI.
