Cincinnati Reds legend Joey Votto announces retirement

Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has announced his retirement from professional baseball on Wednesday through an emotional Instagram post, marking the end of a remarkable 17-year career. The 40-year-old, who last played in the Major Leagues in 2023 with the Reds, was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this season but never made it to the big league roster.

Despite not getting back on the field, Votto's legacy remains intact as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his generation.

Throughout his career, Votto was a six-time MLB All-Star, a National League MVP, and a Gold Glove winner. He concluded his playing days with a .294 batting average, an OPS of .920, and 356 home runs over 2,056 games-all with Cincinnati.

Votto retires as a true Reds legend, ranking second in the franchise's history for home runs, with 356, trailing only Johnny Bench's 389. His 2,135 hits place him fifth on the Reds' all-time list, and his 1,144 RBIs rank third.

Votto's farewell on social media

In his retirement message, Votto extended heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, teammates, and fans, expressing his appreciation for their throughout his career.

"Cincinnati, I've only played for you. I love you," he said to the city where he spent nearly two decades.

"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.

"I'll never forget, early in my career, my first time at Wrigley Field and the crowd standing and cheering toward my failure. I 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."