Reds Legend Joey Votto Announces Retirement After 17 Seasons

Former Cincinnati Reds star first baseman Joey Votto announced Wednesday that he will retire after a 17-year professional career. The Toronto native has spent the last year in the Blue Jays’ minor league system, where his hopes of playing for his hometown team were dashed by injuries.

In typically direct fashion, Votto made his retirement announcement in a Buffalo parking lot, ending his run with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He then drove from Buffalo to Toronto, where the Reds were playing the Blue Jays, in order to say goodbye to some of his former teammates.

“That’s it. I’m done. I am officially retired from baseball,” Votto said before making his trek to Canada.

In the Instagram caption beneath his brief announcement, Votto took the time to thank countless friends and families for supporting him in his MLB pursuits. He also delivered a message to those who watched along.

“Finally, to the MLB fans. You energized me with your cheers, I loved the boos, the trash talk, the moments where I broke a road cities moment, or was humbled on stage,” Votto said.

Since his 2007 debut, Votto has cemented himself as one of the most efficient hitters in modern baseball. Amassing 2,135 hits and 356 home runs, the six-time All-Star spent most of his career batting above .300. He earned N.L. MVP honors in 2010, when he hit for a .324 average with 37 homers.

Because the Reds struggled for most of Votto’s tenure with the team, his playoff accolades are minimal. It is a testament, then, to his personal achievements that he is generally considered a presumptive Hall-of-Famer, an honor for which he will become eligible in 2029.

After nearly two decades of elite baseball, it is hard to imagine the league without Votto, a technical hitter in an increasingly free-swinging league. Votto is revered around the league for his frank manner of speech and unflinching plate discipline, and will be for years to come. The only time he was ever booed was as a fearsome opponent.

“I’ll never forget, early in my career, my first time at Wrigley Field and the crowd standing and cheering toward my failure,” Votto said. “I remember standing at the plate, smiling and thinking, this is my home. I belong here.”