Joey Votto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joey Votto |
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Votto with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: September 10, 1983 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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| debut | |||
| September 4, 2007, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 1, 2023, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .294 | ||
| Hits | 2,135 | ||
| Home runs | 356 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,144 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Joseph Daniel Votto (born September 10, 1983) is a Canadian-American former professional baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Cincinnati Reds, from 2007 to 2023. Votto is one of only two Canadian players in MLB history to get over 2,000 hits, 300 home runs, and 1,000 runs batted in (RBIs).
Votto was a six-time MLB All-Star and won many awards. In 2010, he was named the National League's (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was known for his excellent plate discipline, which means he was very good at knowing when to swing at a pitch. This skill helped him get on base often. When he retired, he was a leader among active players in walks and on-base percentage.
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Early Life and High School
Joey Votto was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His mother, Wendy, was a restaurant manager, and his father, Joseph, was a chef and a big baseball fan. As a kid, Votto had a poster of the famous player Ted Williams on his wall.
He went to Richview Collegiate Institute for high school, where he played baseball, basketball, and hockey. He was a talented basketball point guard and once scored 37 points in a single game. After high school, he planned to play college baseball at Coastal Carolina University.
Starting His Professional Career
Journey Through the Minor Leagues
Instead of going to college, Votto was chosen by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2002 MLB draft. He started his career in Minor League Baseball (MiLB). He played for several teams, including the Dayton Dragons and the Chattanooga Lookouts.
In 2006, Votto had an amazing season with the Lookouts. He had a .319 batting average, 46 doubles, and 22 home runs. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Southern League. During his time in the minor leagues, he always carried a copy of Ted Williams's book, The Science of Hitting.
Major League Career with the Cincinnati Reds
Making his Debut (2007–2009)
Votto was called up to the major leagues on September 1, 2007. In just his second game, he hit his first career home run. He finished his first short season with a .321 batting average.
In 2008, his first full season, Votto became the Reds' starting first baseman. He hit 24 home runs and had 84 RBIs, breaking a Reds rookie record held by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. He finished second in the voting for Rookie of the Year.
The 2009 season was challenging for Votto. He missed over a month of games because he was dealing with sadness and anxiety after his father's death the year before. He returned to the team and played well, finishing the season with a .322 batting average and 25 home runs.
MVP Season and All-Star Years (2010–2013)
The 2010 season was Votto's best. He hit .324 with 37 home runs and 113 RBIs. He led the major leagues in on-base percentage and helped the Reds make the playoffs for the first time in many years. For his incredible performance, he was named the National League's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was only the third Canadian player to ever win the award.
In 2011, Votto continued to play at a high level. He won his first Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense at first base. He also led the league in walks and on-base percentage.
In 2012, Votto signed a huge 10-year, $225 million contract extension with the Reds. That year, he hit three home runs in one game, including a walk-off grand slam to win the game. He was an All-Star but missed part of the season with a knee injury. He was selected as an All-Star again in 2013, making it his fourth straight appearance.
Overcoming Injuries (2014–2016)
Votto struggled with a leg injury in 2014 and played in only 62 games. He returned strong in 2015, leading the MLB with 143 walks and hitting 29 home runs. He proved he was still one of the best hitters in the game.
In 2016, Votto had an amazing second half of the season, hitting .408 after the All-Star break. He finished the year with a .326 batting average and once again led the league in on-base percentage.
Return to MVP Form (2017–2018)
In 2017, Votto had another fantastic season. He played in all 162 games, hit 36 home runs, and had 100 RBIs. He was an All-Star for the fifth time and finished second in the MVP voting, losing by just two votes. He also won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete for the second time.
He was named an All-Star again in 2018, leading the league in on-base percentage for the seventh time in his career. This put him in the same company as legends like Ted Williams and Babe Ruth.
Final Years with the Reds (2019–2023)
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In his later seasons, Votto continued to be a respected leader for the Reds. In 2021, he hit his 300th career home run and recorded his 1,000th RBI. He also hit a home run in seven straight games, setting a new Reds record.
His 2022 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery. He returned in 2023 for his final season with the Reds. He played his last game on October 1, 2023, and became a free agent for the first time.
Retirement
In March 2024, Votto signed a minor league contract with his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays. An ankle injury kept him from playing for most of the season. On August 21, 2024, he announced his retirement from professional baseball, ending a remarkable career.
Player Profile
Votto was known for his smart and patient approach to hitting. He had a career batting average of .294, with 356 home runs and 1,144 RBIs. His ability to get on base was one of the best of his generation. He led the National League in on-base percentage seven times.
He was also a skilled defensive player. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2011 and often led all first basemen in assists, which are plays that help get a runner out.
Personal Life
Votto is known for his interesting and thoughtful personality. Teammates have called him a "genius." He became active on social media later in his career to connect with fans, and his posts about his life and his love for chess became very popular.
He has been open about his past struggles with anxiety and sadness, especially after his father passed away. He said that learning to enjoy life outside of baseball helped him find more happiness in his career.
Votto is a lifelong learner. He has studied Spanish to communicate better with teammates, taken dancing and improv classes, and studied geography at the University of Florida. In 2022, he became a citizen of the United States.
Career Awards and Honors
- National League Most Valuable Player (2010)
- 6-time NL All-Star (2010–2013, 2017, 2018)
- Gold Glove Award (2011)
- 2-time Lou Marsh Trophy winner (2010, 2017)
- 7-time Tip O'Neill Award winner (Canada's best baseball player)
See also
In Spanish: Joey Votto para niños
- Major League Baseball titles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual putouts leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career assists as a first baseman leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career bases on balls leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career intentional bases on balls leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career on-base percentage leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career OPS leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career slugging percentage leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players from Canada
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
