Joey Votto has finally closed the books on an incredible career in baseball. Over nearly two decades, there was only one team he had ever known, played for, and cheered for—the Cincinnati Reds. The 40-year-old, in a rather emotional eight-second video, said, “That’s it. I’m done. I am officially retired from baseball” while standing in the parking lot outside Buffalo’s Sahlen Field.
Votto spent seventeen years of his life with the Reds, playing baseball, so leaving was difficult. He even tried taking on a different career path after becoming a free agent, but as they say, plans don’t always work out. Now he is finally retiring from the sport he loves so much! But he didn’t bid goodbye simply with the post; he made a trip from Buffalo to Toronto and headed directly to the clubhouse to meet his former teammates. He hugged, smiled, and exchanged words with the team he spent almost his entire youth with. While his journey with the Reds and with baseball saw many highs, it wasn’t without lows!
Joey Votto and his last seasons before announcing retirement!
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Joey Votto was a force to be reckoned with for the Cincinnati Reds. However, his last seasons with the team were not smooth sailing. From 2022 to 2023, he struggled at the plate and could only hit 25 homers in over 156 games. To make matters worse, there was his shoulder injury—a torn rotator cuff and biceps. He went under the knife for it, and this sidelined him for a successful 10 months! Then his epic 10-year, $225 million contract extension wrapped up last season, and even though he has been long associated with the team, the Reds opted not to renew his contract, making Votto a free agent—the first of his career!
What’s your reaction? Joey Votto’s emotional farewell: