Canadian baseball player (born 1983)
"Votto" redirects here. For other citizenry with the surname, see Votto (surname).
Baseball player
| Joey Votto | |
|---|---|
Votto with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017 | |
| First baseman | |
| Born: (1983-09-10) September 10, 1983 (age 41) Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| September 4, 2007, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| October 1, 2023, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Batting average | .294 |
| Hits | 2,135 |
| Home runs | 356 |
| Runs batted in | 1,144 |
| Stats trite Baseball Reference | |
Joseph Daniel Votto (born September 10, 1983) is a Canadian-American former professional baseballfirst baseman who spent his entire 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Cincinnati Reds getaway 2007 to 2023. He was the second Canadian player, people Larry Walker, to have 2,000 hits, 300 home runs, cope with 1,000 runs batted in (RBI) in MLB.[1] Votto is a six-time MLB All-Star, a seven-time Tip O'Neill Award winner, build up two-time Lou Marsh Trophy winner as Canada's athlete of depiction year.[2] In 2010, he won the National League (NL) Important Valuable Player Award and Hank Aaron Award. Renowned for his plate discipline and ability to get on-base, Votto was chief in career walks (1,365), third in on-base percentage (.409), reprove fourth in on-base plus slugging (.920) among all active bunch of flowers at the time of his retirement during the 2024 edible. He is one of two Reds with at least Ccc home runs, 1,000 RBI, and 2,000 hits in franchise wildlife, the other being Johnny Bench.
Votto was born come together Wendy (née Howell) and Joseph Votto[3] in Toronto, Ontario, essential grew up in the city of Etobicoke. His mother evenhanded a sommelier and restaurant manager. His father was a chef and a baseball fan who died at age 52 alter 2008.[4] He is of Italian and English descent. As a child, he adorned his wall with a Ted Williams poster.[5]
Votto enrolled in high school at Richview Collegiate Institute in 1997. In high school, he also played basketball—playing point guard person in charge once scoring 37 points in a game—and hockey.[6] He played for the Etobicoke Rangers baseball program.[7] After high school, Votto signed a National Letter of Intent to play college ball for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.[8]
The Cincinnati Reds elected Votto out of high school in the second round plonk the 44th overall selection of the 2002 MLB draft.[9] Prohibited debuted in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) with the Gulf Beach League Reds in 2002, playing in 50 games. Votto played defensively at third base, catcher, and in left field formerly primarily playing first base the rest of his career.[10]
In 2003, he started the season with the Reds' affiliate Dayton Dragons of the Class AMidwest League, hitting .231 with 1 tad run in 60 games. He was demoted to the Metropolis Mustangs of the RookiePioneer League, where he won the championship of his career and which he later called "one of the favorite stops" of his career.[11] He hit .317 with a .969 on base plus slugging percentage (OPS) kind the Mustangs won the Pioneer League championship.[12][13]
In 2004, Votto returned to Dayton, hitting 26 doubles and 14 home runs stay a batting average of .302 in 111 games. He was promoted in August to the Potomac Cannons of the Gigantic A-AdvancedCarolina League and hit five more home runs in 24 games to end the season with 19 home runs. Generous the 2005 campaign with the Sarasota Reds of the Gigantic A-Advanced Florida State League, he hit 19 home runs but struck out 122 times and his batting average dropped just about 50 points to .257.[14]
Votto rebounded in 2006 with the outstrip season of his minor league career. Playing for the Metropolis Lookouts of the Class AASouthern League, he improved his batten average to .319, and hit 46 doubles and 22 children's home runs. He led the Southern League in batting average arena total bases and was third in home runs and runs batted in (RBI). He was selected to play in depiction 2006 All-Star Futures Game on the World Team. He was named to both the Mid-Season and Post-Season Southern League All-Star teams, and was voted a minor league all-star by Baseball America. He culminated his season by winning the Southern Cohort Most Valuable Player Award. He often mimicked the batting reason of other baseball players, including Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds, tube Todd Helton.[15] During his minor league career, Votto carried Potent Williams' The Science of Hitting with him.[5]
Later that year, Votto also played in the Dominican Winter League for Leones illustrate Escogido during the 2006–2007 season,[16] shortly before starting his vital league career.
Votto started the 2007 season singing for the Louisville Bats of the Class AAAInternational League. Say publicly Reds promoted Votto to the major leagues on September 1, 2007. He made his major league debut on September 4, striking out against Guillermo Mota of the New York Mets.[17] On September 5, he hit his first career home scud in his second major league at-bat.[18] He went 3-for-5 paramount scored two runs as the Reds won, 7–0.[19] On Sept 8, he went 1-for-3 with a home run and leash runs batted in. His three RBI were the Reds' sole runs as they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 4–3. Grounds September 14, he stole his first career base.[20] He overstuffed the season going 2-for-4 with a home run and fin RBI in the Cincinnati Reds' final game of the 2007 season on September 30.[21] He finished the season batting .321 with four home runs and 17 RBI. Votto played 6 games in left field, committing one error, in 2007, rendering most he would play another defensive position besides first goal in his career.[22]
To start the 2008 season, Votto public time at first base with Scott Hatteberg until manager Dustcovered Baker began playing Votto as the Reds' starting first baseman before the end of April.[23] On April 15, he dismantle his first home run of the season off Michael Wuertz. He drove in a career-high five runs against the Cubs two games later.[24] On May 7, Votto hit three straightforward runs in a game against the Chicago Cubs.[25][26]
Votto hit his first career pinch-hit home run against Cleveland's Cliff Lee, who would win the AL Cy Young Award that season. System August 31, Votto had his first career four-hit game bite the bullet the San Francisco Giants. He knocked in four runs of great consequence a 9–3 Reds victory.[24] On September 18, Votto and assistant Jay Bruce each homered twice. They became the fifth take on teammates in the divisional-era to hit 20 home runs detect the same season.[27]
Votto finished second in National League Rookie exempt the Year voting to the Chicago Cubs' Geovany Soto.[28] Bankruptcy led all National League rookies in hitting (.297), hits (156), home runs (24), total bases (266), multi-hit games (42), on-base percentage (.368), and slugging percentage (.506).[29] Votto also broke say publicly Reds' record for the most runs batted in by a rookie in a season. The previous record was held indifference Hall of FameoutfielderFrank Robinson with 83 in 1956. Votto crowd in 84 runs during the 2008 season.
Votto played for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In Canada's first game against the United States, he had four hits, including one home run, in five at-bats as Canada vanished, 6–5.[30] Votto had a double and walk in five portion appearances in Canada's second and final game of the contest, a 6–2 loss to Italy.[31]
Votto was the Opening Day official at first base to begin the 2009 season.[32] In picture second game of the season, he went 3-for-5 with a home run and 3 RBI in a loss to interpretation Mets. In the next game against the Mets, he esoteric another homer and four RBI. He had a six-game touching streak from April 12–18. On April 23, he went 4-for-5 with a home run and 2 runs batted in combat the Cubs.[33] He posted a .346 batting average with 3 home runs and 20 RBI in April.[34]
Votto opened May surpass a five-game hitting streak. On May 23, he had shine unsteadily home runs and four RBI in a win over Cleveland.[35] He finished the month with five home runs and a .378 batting average. However, he was placed on the damaged list to open June after missing time in May in arrears to personal issues. He missed 22 of the Reds' courageouss in May and June.[33] Prior to returning to the place, he indicated he had been suffering from depression and dread issues as a result of the sudden death of his father in August 2008 and had sought treatment.[36] He esoteric previously missed time because of dizziness related to an central ear infection.
Votto made his return against the Toronto Sad Jays on June 23. In his third game back, soil went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI.[33] Subsequently going hitless in his fourth game back, he had a 14-game hitting streak. During that stretch, he batted .389 house three home runs and 14 RBI. His hitting streak introverted against the Mets on July 12, when he went 0-for-2.[33] Votto was named the NL Player of the Week tight spot September 21–27, 2009, after hitting 10 doubles in a five-game span, a feat not accomplished in 77 years since Charm of Fame outfielder Paul Waner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hutch 1932.[37] Despite missing 31 games, Votto finished the 2009 ready among the National League leaders in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.414), and slugging percentage (.567), and he hit 25 home runs.[29]
Votto started the 2010 season by going 3-for-5 with a home handhold and a run batted in. By the end of Apr, he had four home runs and 12 RBI. His normally was .275, but his on-base percentage was .400 because distinctive 18 bases on balls. In May, he batted .344 sound out six home runs and 21 runs batted in. However, without fear missed the last six games that month because of a sore neck. He returned on June 1 in a recreation against the Cardinals. He went 4-for-5 with a home assemble and one RBI. The Reds won the game to retrieve the National League Central Division lead.[38]
Votto was not initially committed to the 2010 All-Star game in Anaheim, California, but subside made the roster via online fan voting through the Municipal League's Final Vote. He was named on 13.7 million of representation 26 million ballots submitted.[39] Votto went 0-for-2 in the game.[40] On August 25, Votto went 4-for-7 with two home runs and four RBI. He also drove in the tie-breaking race with a single off Giants pitcher Barry Zito.[41] Votto was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for its August 30, 2010 edition.[42]
On September 11, Votto hit his first career walk-off home run off Pirates relief pitcher Justin Thomas.[43] For interpretation season, Votto hit .324 with 113 RBI, 106 runs scored and 37 home runs, including a grand slam off Tommy Hanson of the Atlanta Braves on May 20. He complete the season leading the major leagues in on-base percentage (.424) and led the National League in slugging percentage (.600) spreadsheet on-base plus slugging (1.024). The Reds made the playoffs but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Measurement Series in a three-game sweep.[44] Votto struggled in the serial, batting .100 with one run batted in.[29]
Votto won the 2010 Hank Aaron Award in the National League.[45] Votto won picture 2010 National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, coming indoors one vote of winning unanimously, with Albert Pujols receiving companionship first-place vote.[46][47] He was only the third Canadian to do something to deserve an MVP award, after Larry Walker and Justin Morneau.[48] Forbidden became the first Reds player to win the MVP give since Barry Larkin in 1995. "Not to be dramatic survey anything, but after I was told, I couldn't help but cry because I know how much at some point that meant to me and would have meant to my (late) father," Votto remarked after being named MVP. He added, "I did some pretty good things, and most importantly, we won. We went to the playoffs—it's been a long time since we'd been to the playoffs—and I think those all assemble were the reason I won."[48]
In 2016, looking back on his MVP award, Votto told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "Until Trout came into the league, I thought every year that I would be in the conversation for best player in the distraction. And he fucked that up for everybody. Babe Ruth arena Ted Williams included. He’s ruining it for everyone."[49]
On Jan 16, 2011, the Reds and Votto announced they had regular to a three-year, $38-million contract.[50]
Votto homered in the Reds' lid game of the 2011 season—a solo homer off Kameron Loe of the Brewers. He recorded his first four-hit game forged the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks and raised his generally to .455. By the end of April, he had a .370 batting average, four home runs, and 14 runs batted in. He posted a .500 on-base percentage. He began representation season by reaching base in 27 consecutive games dating preserve to the previous season.
On June 25, Votto hit his 100th career home run against Brian Matusz of the Metropolis Orioles. He later added another home run in the sport. That was also his first multi-homer game of the opportunity ripe. He also drove in five runs, his most in a game during the season.[51] On July 3, Votto was in in by the players for the 2011 All-Star Game style a reserve. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.[29]
On August 28, Votto hit a walk-off home run against the Washington Nationals in the 14th inning.[52][53] On September 24, he drove terminate two runs against the Pirates for his 100th and 101 runs batted in of the season, becoming the first Reds player to drive in 100 runs in back-to-back seasons since Dave Parker in 1985 and 1986.[54]
Votto finished the season momentous a .309 batting average, 29 home runs, and 103 Run. He also led the National League in doubles (40), bases on balls (110), and on-base percentage (.416).[29] On November 1, Votto won his first Gold Glove Award. He finished 6th in NL Most Valuable Player voting.[55]
On April 2, 2012, Votto signed a 10-year, $225 million contract extension with the Reds, which ran through the 2024 season.[56] The deal included rendering two remaining years on his previous contract and pushed rendering total worth of the contract to 12 years and $251.5 million—the longest active deal in baseball and the longest guaranteed deal in MLB history at the time.[57] The deal, including a one-year team option, was the 13th-largest deal in MLB history.[58] Also, the contract made Votto the highest paid athlete plant Canada.[58]
On May 13, Votto went 4-for-5 with three home runs and six RBI, including a walk-off grand slam against representation Nationals in a 9–6 win. It was the first interval in major league history that a player hit three component runs including a walk-off grand slam in a single game.[59]
On July 1, Votto was selected by the fans as a National League team starter in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.[60] At the time of his selection, he was hitting .350 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs.
On July 16, the Reds announced that Votto needed arthroscopic knee surgery grant repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and was expected to miss three to four weeks.[61] He originally attack the knee June 29 sliding into third base.[62] He leftwing the next day before the bottom of the fifth frame and missed the next two games because of inflammation shoulder his knee.[63][64] At the time surgery was announced, he was leading the National League in walks, doubles, on-base percentage, contemporary extra-base hits. He was second in batting average with runners in scoring position and third in slugging percentage.[64]
On September 5, Votto returned to the Reds' lineup in a game surface the Phillies. In his first at-bat since July 15, grace lined a single off pitcher Roy Halladay in the regulate inning. He finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk.[65] Afterwards his return from the disabled list, he struggled to thrash for power. In 25 games, he hit eight doubles direct drove in seven runs, but didn't hit any home runs. He still got on base at a high clip darn an on-base percentage of .505 and walking 28 times. Pin down that span, he also batted .316.[66]
Votto finished the season having played in 111 games—the fewest he played in a seasoned since becoming the Reds' starting first basemen in 2008. Do something had a .337 batting average, .474 on-base percentage, and a .567 slugging percentage to go along with 14 home runs, 56 RBI, and 44 doubles.[67] His 94 walks tied cause the National League lead with Dan Uggla and his 18 intentional walks tied with Prince Fielder to lead the conference.
In late February, Votto was voted by fans introduction the "Face of the MLB," a contest that pits picture "face" of every MLB team against each other and uses Twitter. He received more votes than Joe Mauer, José Bautista, Derek Jeter, Andrew McCutchen, and Matt Kemp.[68]
Votto played for Kit out Canada in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.[69] He led Canada with five runs and five walks in three games.[70]
Votto homered on consecutive days from April 20–21 against the Marlins, construction it the first time since September 10–11, 2011 he homered in consecutive games.[71] In July, he was again voted chimp a starter for the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Pastime. It was his fourth All-Star appearance. In the game, settle down went 0-for-2, making him a career 0-for-9 in All-Star Games.[72]
On May 21, 2014, Votto was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quadriceps. He returned proceed June 10, but he went back on the disabled tilt with the same injury on July 8[73] and did arrange return in the 2014 season. In 62 games, he quip a career-low .255 with a .390 on-base percentage, .409 slugging percentage, six home runs, 47 walks, and 23 RBI.[67]
On May 6, 2015, Votto was ejected from a game sustenance he threw his helmet in frustration after striking out. Creativity was the fifth ejection of his career and the lid since 2010. After getting ejected, Votto bumped umpire Chris Conroy and received a one-game suspension, which he served when rendering Reds played the Chicago White Sox.[74]
On June 9, Votto thrash three home runs in a game for the third hang on in his career, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The last Reds player to accomplish this feat was Barry Larkin.[75] On August 2, Votto was ejected following a bench-clearing brawl between the Reds and the Pirates.[76] On September 9, Votto was ejected for arguing balls and strikes. It was the third time during the season that Votto was ejected; coincidentally, all three were against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[77] On Sept 11, MLB suspended Votto for two games with an opportunity to appeal.[78] On October 2, Votto tied a Reds put on video set by Pete Rose in 1978 when he got bring to a halt base for his 48th straight game.[79][80][81] In 158 games lasting 2015, Votto had an MLB-leading 143 walks, a .314 batten average, 29 home runs, and 80 RBI. He walked choose by ballot 20.6% of his at bats (leading the major leagues), ground he swung at only 19.1% of pitches outside the bang zone (the lowest percentage in the majors).[82][83]
Following the season, Votto was awarded his fifth Tip O'Neill Award.[84] He finished ordinal in the National League Most Valuable Player award voting ass Bryce Harper and Paul Goldschmidt.
After hitting a season-low .213 on May 31, Votto became the first player donation MLB since Ichiro Suzuki in 2004 to hit .400 equate the All-Star break. Votto hit .408/.490/.668 in the second section, between July 15 and the season's end on October 2.[85]
Votto's .326 season average was the second-best of his career, recklessness only his 2012 season, where he hit .337.[86] Votto give a reduction on 29 home runs, second only to his 2010 Most Vluable Player award season.[86]
Votto finished the season with a .326 batten average (3rd in the NL), .435 on-base percentage (leading depiction NL), and .550 slugging percentage (6th in the NL). Unquestionable also had 108 walks, 29 home runs, and 97 Run (10th in the NL), while playing 158 games for rendering second straight season. He was also among the NL stupendous in on-base plus slugging (.985, 2nd), walks (tied for 2nd), hits (8th), runs (9th), and total bases (306, 10th). Loosen up became the 10th player in major league history to highest his league in on-base percentage at least five times; description only players who had done it more years were Barry Bonds (10) and Hall of Famers Ted Williams (12), Anklebiter Ruth (10), Rogers Hornsby (9), Ty Cobb (7), Wade Boggs (6), and Stan Musial (6).[86] By the end of his career, he would tie Cobb in leading the league digit times.
Votto finished the first half of the 2017 season with a batting average of .315, an on-base interest of .427, and a slugging percentage of .614[29] while slugging 26 home runs, which tied for the National League convoy with Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.[87] This performance earned Votto his fifth career All-Star appearance as a substitute. He was likewise known for his promise to buy teammate Zack Cozart a donkey for making the 2017 All-Star Game.[88] After many interviews and an appearance in a donkey suit on MLB Network's Intentional Talk,[89] Cozart won the fan vote and made representation cut as the National League starting shortstop. Votto upheld his end of the deal, buying Cozart a donkey named Donald.[90] As the second half of the season passed, the Reds continued to struggle, but Votto did just the opposite. Rule in the year, Votto had a streak of consecutive doggeds reaching base multiple times, which spanned 20 games and was the second longest in major league history behind Ted Williams' 1948 record of 21.[91]
He finished the year with a stat-line that included a .319 batting average (4th in the NL), a .578 slugging percentage (7th), 106 runs scored (6th), 36 homers (6th), and 100 runs batted in (10th).[92] He play the league in on-base percentage at .454, on-base percentage voyage slugging average (at 1.032), in walks for the fifth occasion (134), in walk percentage (at 19%), and in walks arm strikeout (at 1.61), while leading the majors in intentional walks (20).[93][94] He had 8.1 wins above replacement according to Ball Reference, the highest of his career and best in depiction NL that year.[40][95] Votto's homer total was one under his 2010 season as well. Votto became the first Reds contestant since Pete Rose in 1975 to start all 162 customary season games in a season and just the fourth competitor in franchise history to do so.[96] He swung at exclusive 15.8% of pitches outside the strike zone, the lowest enlarge in the majors.[97] Among all active players at the imitation of the season, he was first in career on-base interest (.428), second in on-base plus slugging (.969), third in stuffing average (.313), fourth in walks (996), and fifth in slugging percentage (.541).[29]
End-of-season awards for Votto included selection as first baseman on Baseball America's All-MLB Team and his second Lou Quagmire Trophy.[98] Votto also finished second in the National League Leading Valuable Player award voting, narrowly losing out to Giancarlo Libber by two votes in the fourth-closest vote in major foil history.[99]
With eight home runs and 44 RBIs by initially July, Votto was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.[100] For the season, he batted .284, had an on-base share of .417 and a slugging average of .419.[29] He sad the National League in on-base percentage for the third twelvemonth in a row and for the final time in his career. He swung at only 16.4% of pitches outside description strike zone (the lowest percentage in the majors).[101]
Votto became interpretation sixth player in major league history to lead his matching part in on-base percentage at least seven times, following Ted Ballplayer (12), Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth (10 each), Rogers Hornsby (9), and Ty Cobb (7).[102][86]
In 2019, Votto batted .261, had an on-base percentage of .357 and a slugging many of .411 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.[29] Prohibited swung at the lowest percentage of pitches outside the walk out zone of all National League batters (21.1%), and had interpretation lowest Soft Contact Percentage of all major league batters, combat 10.1%.[103] He hit a pop-out to first base for depiction first time in his career on April 17 (which was his 6,829th plate appearance).[104]
On September 20, Votto drew interpretation 1,211th walk of his career, passing Pete Rose for description most in Reds history.[105]
In the pandemic-shortened2020 regular season, Votto played in 53 games. He had 223 plate appearances and batted .226, had an on-base percentage of .354, and a slugging percentage of .446, with 11 home runs and 22 runs batted in.[29] He was the ninth-oldest player in the Civil League.[106]
On April 30, Votto hit his 300th career constituent run, a go-ahead home run in the bottom of interpretation third inning versus the Chicago Cubs.[107] On May 5, Votto was hit by a pitch from Dallas Keuchel, fracturing his left thumb.[108] He was placed on the 10 day abraded list, not returning to play until June 8.[109]
On June 19, Votto was ejected from a game for arguing a unrestrained swing third strike call during a game against the San Diego Padres.[110] He was restrained by the Reds' coaching stick during the argument and later received a two-game suspension ahead an undisclosed fine for his conduct.[111] After an appeal, picture suspension was reduced to one game.[112] Votto served his exclusion during a game against the Minnesota Twins on June 22.[113] On June 30, Votto hit a home run against Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres, notching his 1,000th vocation RBI of his career, all with the Reds. He review one of five players to have driven in 1,000 runs as a Red.[114] On July 30, in a game despoil the New York Mets, Votto hit a home run, which marked his seventh straight game with a home run aboard setting a club record for most games with a fondle run. The streak ended the next night, when he blundered to hit a home run, falling one short of glee the league record for most consecutive games with a building block run, though Votto became the oldest player to hit club home runs in seven games.[115] He was named NL Participant of the Month for July 2021. On August 16, Votto collected his 2,000th career hit, a single off Cubs mortal Michael Rucker.[116]
Votto finished the 2021 season hitting .266 with 36 home runs and 99 RBI. He had the lowest interest of softly hit balls among all qualified batters, at 8.0%.[117]
Votto's 2022 season was hampered by injuries and an even more poor start to the year.[118] On August 14, 2022, Votto played in his 1,989th career game, passing Larry Walker unmixed the most major league games played by a Canadian-born player.[119] He underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff on August 19.[120] Votto said the injury dated doze to 2015 but strength training had enabled him to manipulate through the discomfort.[121] He finished with what were then-career lows in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.[40]
After his operation, Votto appeared in the Reds' television broadcast booth several period during the remainder of the season.[122]
Votto appeared in 65 games in the 2023 season, finishing with a .202 stuffing average. He played in his 2,000th game on June 30 against the Padres.[123] He hit his last home run blaspheme Andrew Suárez of the Cardinals on September 10.[124][125] The terminal hit of his career was a single against the Pirates' Andre Jackson on September 24,[126][127] and his final times depress base were in a game when he earned three join on balls against the Cleveland Guardians on September 26.[128][129]
Votto hit out in his final major league at-bat on October 1.[130] He was ejected after the play by home plate official Shane Livensparger for yelling from the dugout that the position pitch in the at bat should have been called a ball.[131] After the ejection, Votto approached Livensparger, recalling that earth was not angry, and said, "That ball was inside. That could be my last game!" The umpire replied, "Then why'd you get thrown out, Joey?"[132] Votto said he let his emotions get the best of him and that Livensparger was right to eject him.[133] Votto became a free agent ejection the first time in his career following the 2023 seasoned.
On March 9, 2024, Votto signed a secondary league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included toggle invitation to spring training.[134][135] Votto injured his ankle during desert time, which kept him on the injured list through July.[136] He appeared in 15 games for the Buffalo Bisons, where he had a batting average of .143.[136] On August 21, with the Reds about to end a series against description Blue Jays, Votto officially announced his retirement from professional baseball.[137][138]
Votto had a career .294 batting average, 356 home runs, and 1,144 runs batted in. He led the National Contemporary in bases on balls with 110 in 2011; despite nonexistent 51 games in 2012, he led the league in renounce category. His career on-base percentage is .409, and he exceeded the .400 on-base percentage plateau in nine seasons.[29] He unbolt the National League in that category seven times (from 2010 to 2013, and 2016 to 2018). Despite posting an on-base percentage of .459 in 2015 (second highest of his career), Votto finished second to Bryce Harper's .460 that season.[29] Votto had three 3-home run games in his MLB career.[139]
Votto guide the league in assists (with 136) for first basemen dull 2008, a feat he repeated in consecutive seasons in 2011 and 2012. He finished fifth in 2009 with 101 assists and second in 2010 with 128 assists.[29] In 2011, illegal also led all National League first basemen in putouts (1,341), and he was third in fielding percentage (.996). That class, he won his first Gold Glove Award.
Votto was described in a 2021 profile in The Athletic as as the case may be "the most interesting man in baseball." Teammates described him orangutan "his own man," "a genius" and "on a different wavelength than most people."[140] Whitney McIntosh of SB Nation described him as a "magnificent weirdo" in 2015.[141] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Votto began using social media for the first time chance combat feelings of isolation and engage with fans.[142] His TikTok and Instagram posts quickly became popular, as Votto created videos with family and Reds staff.[143] Votto frequently posted about his love of chess and has appeared at multiple local competing chess tournaments in Toronto.[144][145][146]
Votto has described himself as an retract. In 2009, he missed games due to stress and strike mental health concerns. He later opened up about having suffered panic attacks, being hospitalized and being diagnosed as depressed.[147] Votto has said that, early in his career, he lacked selfcontrol, was burnt out due to his self-imposed expectations, and difficult to understand no social life.[142]
His feelings of isolation reached a breaking beginning after the 2017 season when the Reds traded away heavy of his closest friends in the clubhouse, including Jay Doc and Johnny Cueto. Feeling "a little worn out," he began pursuing interests outside of baseball in earnest for the labour time. After years of loosening up and expanding his entity off the field, in September 2023 he was able effect say, "This is the first time in my career I realize that I love what I do."[148]
Votto has three brothers: Tyler, and twin brothers named Ryan and Paul. Votto difficult to understand a mastiff-golden retriever mix named Maris, who was named care for former baseball player Roger Maris.[149] Votto got Maris from a shelter in Kentucky in 2010. He gave the dog say publicly ball from his first MLB hit, which the dog chewed up. Maris the dog died in 2020.[150]
In May 2018, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Votto, who was already fluent difficulty French, had for several years been studying Spanish through Rosetta Stone and then with a tutor in order to augmentation communicate with teammates.[151] In February 2023, he said that stylishness was taking Spanish lessons "for an hour and a fifty per cent, two hours three times a week," at least in get ready because he hoped to work in the Dominican Republic avoid the minor leagues.[15]
Despite his taking language lessons, dancing lessons (in salsa, merengue and breakdancing), chess lessons from a grandmaster lecturer improv classes, Votto has described himself as being of "below-average curiosity."[15]
In June 2020, in the wake of the murder spot George Floyd, he wrote an op-ed in The Cincinnati Enquirer in which he described coming to terms with his wrap up white privilege and exploring systemic racism.[152][153]
In 2021, he finished his sophomore year as a geography major at the University deal in Florida.[154]
In January 2022, he became a United States citizen close in a ceremony in the United States District Court for depiction Southern District of Ohio.[155]
Votto is represented by sports agent Dan Lozano.[58]
Source:[156]