Joey Votto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joey Votto
Votto with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017
First baseman
Born: (1983-09-10) September 10, 1983 (age 41) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Batted: Left Threw: Right
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
Cincinnati Reds (2007–2023)
Career highlights and awards
6× All-Star (2010–2013, 2017, 2018) NL MVP (2010) Gold Glove Award (2011) NL Hank Aaron Award (2010)

Joseph Daniel Votto (born September 10, 1983) is a Canadian-American former professional baseball player. He played as a first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds for his entire 17-year career. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2007 to 2023.

Votto was the second Canadian player to reach big milestones. He had over 2,000 hits, 300 home runs, and 1,000 runs batted in (RBI). The first Canadian to do this was Larry Walker. Votto was chosen for the MLB All-Star Game six times. He also won the Tip O'Neill Award seven times and the Lou Marsh Trophy twice. These awards honor Canada's best athlete.

In 2010, Votto won the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player Award. He also won the Hank Aaron Award that year. Votto was known for his great plate discipline. This means he was very good at deciding which pitches to swing at. He also got on base often. When he retired, he was first in career walks (1,365). He was third in on-base percentage (.409). He was also fourth in on-base plus slugging (.920) among active players. Votto is one of only two Reds players with at least 300 home runs, 1,000 RBI, and 2,000 hits. The other player is Johnny Bench.

Early Life and High School Baseball

Joey Votto was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the area of Etobicoke. His mother was a sommelier and restaurant manager. His father was a chef and loved baseball. Votto's father passed away in 2008. Joey has both Italian and English family roots. As a child, he had a poster of famous baseball player Ted Williams on his wall.

Votto went to Richview Collegiate Institute for high school in 1997. He played other sports there too, like basketball and hockey. He was a point guard in basketball and once scored 37 points in a game. He also played baseball for the Etobicoke Rangers. After high school, Votto planned to play college baseball for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Professional Baseball Career

Minor Leagues

The Cincinnati Reds picked Votto in the 2002 MLB draft. He was the 44th overall pick. He played for the Reds' minor league teams. While playing for the Dayton Dragons, he hit 14 home runs and had a .302 batting average. He then moved up to other teams. In 2005, his batting average dropped a bit.

Votto had his best minor league season in 2006. He played for the Chattanooga Lookouts. His batting average improved to .319. He hit 46 doubles and 22 home runs. He led the Southern League in batting average. He also won the Southern League Most Valuable Player Award. During his time in the minor leagues, Votto always carried a book by Ted Williams called The Science of Hitting.

Later in 2006, Votto played in the Dominican Winter League. He played for the Leones del Escogido team. He showed respect for the league. He even honored late Dominican player Tony Fernández by wearing a message on his cap.

Cincinnati Reds

Starting His MLB Career (2007-2009)

Votto joined the Cincinnati Reds in the major leagues on September 1, 2007. He made his first MLB appearance on September 4. In his second time at bat, he hit his first career home run! He finished the 2007 season batting .321 with four home runs.

Votto in spring training, 2008

In 2008, Votto became the Reds' main first baseman. On May 7, he hit three home runs in one game against the Chicago Cubs. He also hit his first pinch-hit home run. Votto and teammate Jay Bruce both hit over 20 home runs that year. They were only the fifth rookie teammates to do so. Votto finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. He led all NL rookies in hitting (.297) and home runs (24). He also broke the Reds' rookie record for most runs batted in, with 84 RBI.

In 2009, Votto played for Team Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He had a great game against the United States, getting four hits. He started the 2009 MLB season strong. He had a six-game hitting streak in April. Votto missed some games in May and June due to personal challenges. When he returned, he had a 14-game hitting streak. He was named the National League Player of the Week in September. He hit 10 doubles in five games, a rare feat. Even with missing games, Votto finished the season with a .322 batting average and 25 home runs.

NL MVP Season (2010)

Votto had an amazing 2010 season. He was not initially voted into the All-Star Game. But fans voted him in through the "Final Vote." He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in August. On September 11, Votto hit his first career walk-off home run. This means his home run won the game in the final inning.

For the season, Votto hit .324 with 113 RBI and 37 home runs. He led all major league players in on-base percentage (.424). He also led the National League in slugging percentage (.600). The Reds made the playoffs that year.

Votto won the 2010 Hank Aaron Award for the National League. He also won the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. He was almost a unanimous winner, meaning nearly everyone voted for him. He was only the third Canadian to win an MVP award. He was the first Reds player to win the MVP award since Barry Larkin in 1995. Votto said winning the award meant a lot to him and his late father.

Gold Glove and Long Contract (2011-2012)

Votto, 2011

In 2011, Votto signed a three-year, $38-million deal with the Reds. He hit a home run in the Reds' first game of the season. On June 25, Votto hit his 100th career home run. He also hit another home run in that same game. He was voted into the 2011 All-Star Game as a reserve player.

On August 28, Votto hit a walk-off home run against the Nationals. On September 24, he got his 100th and 101st RBI of the season. He was the first Reds player to have 100 RBI in back-to-back seasons since 1986. Votto finished the season with a .309 batting average and 29 home runs. He led the NL in doubles, walks, and on-base percentage. On November 1, Votto won his first Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense at first base.

On April 2, 2012, Votto signed a huge 10-year, $225 million contract extension. This deal made his total contract worth 12 years and $251.5 million. It was the longest guaranteed contract in MLB history at the time. It also made Votto the highest-paid athlete from Canada.

On May 13, Votto had an amazing game. He went 4-for-5 with three home runs and six RBI. This included a walk-off grand slam that won the game! It was the first time in MLB history a player hit three home runs, including a walk-off grand slam, in one game. Fans selected Votto as a National League All-Star starter for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.

In July, Votto had knee surgery and missed some time. He returned in September. Even with the injury, he finished the season with a .337 batting average. His .474 on-base percentage was very high. He also led the NL with 94 walks.

All-Star Selections and Injuries (2013-2015)

In 2013, fans voted Votto as the "Face of the MLB." This was a contest using Twitter. He also played for Team Canada in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Votto was voted as an All-Star starter again for the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was his fourth All-Star appearance.

Votto before a game in April 2014

In 2014, Votto dealt with injuries. He was placed on the disabled list twice with a strained left quadriceps. He only played in 62 games that season. He hit a career-low .255.

In 2015, Votto was ejected from games a few times for arguing. On June 9, Votto hit three home runs in a single game for the third time in his career. This was against the Philadelphia Phillies. On October 2, Votto tied a Reds record set by Pete Rose. He got on base for his 48th straight game. In 2015, Votto led MLB with 143 walks. He had a .314 batting average and 29 home runs. He was very good at not swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. After the season, Votto won his fifth Tip O'Neill Award. He finished third in the National League MVP voting.

Strong Comebacks (2016-2018)

Votto grabbing shirt of fan who interrupted Votto's attempt to catch a foul ball

After a slow start in 2016, Votto had an amazing second half of the season. He hit .408 after the All-Star Break. His .326 season average was the second-best of his career. He also hit 29 home runs. Votto led the NL in on-base percentage for the fifth time. He became the 10th player in MLB history to lead his league in on-base percentage at least five times.

Votto had another great year in 2017. He was chosen for his fifth career All-Star appearance. He was known for promising to buy his teammate Zack Cozart a donkey if Cozart made the All-Star Game. Cozart did, and Votto kept his promise! Votto also had a streak of reaching base multiple times in 20 straight games. This was the second longest streak in MLB history.

He finished 2017 with a .319 batting average and 36 home runs. He led the league in on-base percentage (.454) for the fifth season. He also led in walks (134). Votto became the first Reds player since Pete Rose in 1975 to start all 162 regular season games. He finished second in the National League MVP voting. He narrowly lost by just two votes. He also won his second Lou Marsh Trophy.

Votto at the 2018 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby

In 2018, Votto was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. He batted .284 with a .417 on-base percentage. For the third year in a row, he led the National League in on-base percentage. This was his seventh time leading the league in this category. Only five other players in MLB history have done this seven or more times.

Later Career and Retirement (2019-2024)

In 2019, Votto batted .261 with 15 home runs. He continued to be very good at not swinging at pitches outside the strike zone.

In the shorter 2020 season, Votto played in 53 games. On September 20, he got his 1,211th walk. This passed Pete Rose for the most walks in Reds history.

Votto arguing with the home plate umpire after being ejected from a game on June 19, 2021

On April 30, 2021, Votto hit his 300th career home run. On June 30, he hit a home run that gave him his 1,000th career RBI. He is one of only five Reds players to reach 1,000 RBI. In July, Votto hit a home run in seven straight games. This set a new club record for the Reds. On August 16, Votto got his 2,000th career hit. He finished the 2021 season hitting .266 with 36 home runs and 99 RBI.

Votto's 2022 season was affected by injuries. On August 14, 2022, Votto played in his 1,989th career game. This made him the Canadian-born player with the most MLB games played. He had surgery on his left shoulder in August. He said the injury had been bothering him since 2015.

In 2023, Votto played in 65 games. He became a free agent after the season.

Toronto Blue Jays

On March 9, 2024, Votto signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He injured his ankle during spring training. He played in 15 games for the Buffalo Bisons, a minor league team. On August 21, 2024, Joey Votto officially announced his retirement from professional baseball.

Player Skills and Achievements

Votto finished his career with a .294 batting average. He had 356 home runs and 1,144 runs batted in. He led the National League in walks in 2011 and 2012. His career on-base percentage was .409. He had an on-base percentage above .400 in nine seasons. He led the National League in on-base percentage seven times. Votto also had three games where he hit three home runs.

Votto was also a great defensive first baseman. He led the league in assists for first basemen in 2008, 2011, and 2012. In 2011, he won his first Gold Glove Award for his excellent fielding.

Personal Life

Joey Votto has been called "the most interesting man in baseball." Teammates have described him as unique and smart. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Votto started using social media. He made popular videos on TikTok and Instagram. He often posted about his love for chess. He even played in local chess tournaments.

Votto has said he is an introvert. Early in his career, he faced personal challenges and felt isolated. He later started to explore interests outside of baseball. He began taking Spanish lessons. He also took dancing lessons (salsa, merengue, and breakdancing) and improv classes.

Votto has three brothers: Tyler, Ryan, and Paul. He had a dog named Maris, after baseball player Roger Maris. Maris the dog passed away in 2020.

In June 2020, Votto wrote an article about white privilege and systemic racism. In 2021, he was studying geography at the University of Florida. In January 2022, he became a United States citizen.

Career Awards and Honors

Major Leagues

Minor Leagues

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