Joey Votto’s time with the Cincinnati Reds came to an end last fall, but he wasn’t done with basketball yet.
The 40-year-old first baseman signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in February and was close to playing for his hometown team after a number of injuries. However, Votto remained stuck in Triple-A and the Blue Jays did not call him up for this week’s series against the Reds.
In the wake of this decision, Votto announced his resignation on Wednesday.
“That’s it, I’m done,” Votto said in a video he posted on Instagram. “I’m officially retired from baseball.”
Votto also wrote a note thanking his friends, family, coaches, teammates, the Reds and Blue Jays for all the support he has received over the years.
In 31 minor league appearances this season, Votto posted a .165 batting average with two home runs, 12 RBIs and a .569 OPS. He had 36 strikeouts compared to 16 walks, which was atypical for a hitter who recorded more walks than strikeouts in four different major league seasons.
And since the Blue Jays never called him up, Votto has only played for one MLB club.
Votto made his major league debut in 2007, five years after the Reds selected him in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft. He remained on the roster through the 2023 season, compiling 2,135 hits, 356 home runs, 1,144 RBI and a WAR of 64.4. The six-time All-Star and former NL MVP has a career batting average of .294 and an OPS of .920.
With these numbers, Votto could well earn a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in five years. At the very least, he has established himself as one of the best players in Reds history.
Votto ranks first on the Reds’ all-time list in walks, second in home runs, second in doubles, third in RBI, fourth in runs, fourth in WAR, fifth in hits and sixth in games played. Although Cincinnati’s front office did not pick up Votto’s $20 million club option for 2024, he still largely lived up to the 10-year, $225 million contract he signed with the team in 2010.
Before announcing his retirement, Votto ranked second among active players in games played, second in doubles, third in RBI, fourth in hits, fourth in home runs, sixth in batting average, and sixth in WAR.
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