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By Noah Camras
Contributing Sports Writer
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Longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman and 2010 National League Most Valuable Player Joey Votto has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. He made the announcement on his Instagram page on Wednesday.
"That's it, I'm done," Votto said in the video. "I am officially retired from baseball."
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Votto had tons of people to thank in his caption.
"Thank you to my parents, Wendy and Joe, for giving me everything I needed to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional baseball player," Votto's post began. "Thank you to my brother, Tyler Votto, for throwing me wiffle balls for all those years (ha ha, you are the best. I had to write this.). To Warren and Nick for the years of hitting together as high schoolers. The Etobicoke community for supporting me as a youth player. Oakville, Queensway, Kingsway, Bloordale, Thunderbirds, and Bob Smyth and the Etobicoke Rangers for raising me as a youth baseball player. Mark Capone is STILL better. As a pro, Leon Roberts and Freddie Benavides were my guys. They made me who I was as a pro player. Thank you to them! As a major league player, Dusty Baker and Scott Rolen taught me how to be a pro's pro. My man Jay Bruce, can you run? can you hit? can you throw? Then go play. So many great teammates."
Votto is from Toronto, Canada, but played his entire MLB career with the Reds. He thanked both places.
"Toronto and Canada, I wanted to play in front of you. Sigh, I tried with all my heart to play for my people. I'm just not good anymore. Thank you for all the support during my attempt.
"Cincinnati, I've only played for you. I love you."
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Votto was drafted in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Reds. He made his debut in 2007 and played an incredible 17 seasons in MLB, all with Cincinnati.
Votto was a six-time All-Star, one-time Gold Glove award winner, and the 2010 NL MVP winner. He finishes his career with 356 home runs, 1,144 runs batted in, and a career slash line of .294/.409/.511.
Votto was beloved by everyone he played with, and attempted to make an MLB comeback with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays in 2024. However, Votto wasn't able to earn a call-up, because, in his words, "I'm just not good anymore."
Votto's attitude has always made him a fan favorite, and baseball fans will likely hope he continues his baseball career in some capacity, whether as an analyst or coach. He made sure to thank the fans in his post.
"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 wrote.
"I'll never forget, early in my career, my first time at Wrigley Field and the crowd standing and cheering toward my failure. I remember standing at the plate, smiling and thinking, this is my home. I belong here.
"I was myself in this sport. 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."
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