Six-time All-Star Joey Votto is calling it a career. The respected Canadian star announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he is retiring from baseball.
“That’s it. I’m done. I’m officially retired from baseball.”
Along with the video, Votto wrote a lengthy post in which he thanked his parents, his brother, coaches and the many who helped him along the way.
Just moments before first pitch between the #BlueJays and Reds, Joey Votto has announced via his Instagram that he is retiring.
“That’s it. I’m done. I am officially retired from baseball.”https://t.co/V7roONoM0e
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 21, 2024
Votto, 40, was on a one-year minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays but didn’t get the opportunity to play with his hometown team in the majors. The potential Hall of Famer had been playing regularly at Triple-A Buffalo for two weeks. His unexpected announcement comes moments before the Blue Jays hosted the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent 17 years of his career there.
Joey Votto Announces Retirement From Baseball
Votto became a free agent last fall after the end of his 12-year, $251.5 million contract with the Reds, who selected him in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft. Along with being a six-time All-Star, the Toronto native was a Gold Glove winner and played every one of his big league seasons with Cincinnati.
Votto debuted as a September call-up for the Reds in 2007. He had a breakthrough the following season, hitting .297/.368/.506 with 24 home runs. He followed through with that success the next season, batting .322/.414/.567 with 25 home runs. That began a decade-long run where Votto was one of baseball’s best seasons.
In 2010, he had the best season of his career, winning the National League MVP. Votto finished second in the NL in batting average at .324 and third in home runs (37) and RBI (113). He led the NL in slugging percentage (.600), led the league in on-base percentage (.424) and had 16 stolen bases. The first baseman helped the Reds reach the postseason for the first time in 15 years in that same season.
Votto retires as the most decorated Canadian-born player in MLB history. He ranks first in games played (2,056), All-Star appearances and walks (1,365). He trails only Larry Walker in hits (2,135) and home runs (356).
Main Photo: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
