In a poignant farewell to the game, Joey Votto, the veteran first baseman who defined a generation of Cincinnati Reds baseball, has announced his retirement. The 40-year-old star shared the news in a heartfelt social media post late Wednesday night.
“I was myself in this sport,” Votto wrote. “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.”
Votto, a six-time All-Star and the 2010 National League MVP, concluded his illustrious career with a .294 batting average, 356 home runs, and 1,144 RBIs across 17 seasons with the Reds. His impressive .409 on-base percentage over 2,056 games stands as a testament to his exceptional skill, including leading the NL in on-base percentage seven times and earning a Gold Glove in 2011.
Drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2002 amateur draft from Richview Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Votto played out a landmark 12-year, $251.5 million contract with Cincinnati before becoming a free agent last fall.
In his retirement announcement, Votto expressed his deep affection for Cincinnati: “Cincinnati, I’ve only played for you. I love you.” The Reds responded in kind, acknowledging their admiration: “We love you too, Joey.”
Earlier this year, Votto signed a minor league deal with his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays. He briefly made headlines with a home run off Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler during spring training but was later sidelined by an injury. Votto had been competing with the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, where he struggled with a .143 average, one home run, and four RBIs in 15 games.
As the Blue Jays hosted the Reds in the final game of their series in Toronto on Wednesday, Votto’s departure marked the end of an era for both the player and the team.