Cincinnati Reds Legend Joey Votto Announces Retirement

Six-time MLB All-Star Joey Votto has made the decision to step away from the game of baseball, as the first baseman now finishes his 17-year career only playing for the Cincinnati Reds (2007-2024).

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Votto will always be remembered as one of the franchise's all-time great players, considering that the potential future Hall of Famer ends his career ranked second in home runs (356), third in RBI's (1,144) and fourth in runs scored (1,171). To note, he also accumulated 2,135 hits (5th-most) with a .294 career batting average.

The retirement was announced in Joey Votto fashion, as he filmed himself outside Sahlen Field, which is where his minor league team, the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate) play.

"That's it — I'm done. I'm officially retired from baseball."

On his Instagram page, where he made the announcement, the Toronto, Canada native also wrote a farewell message to his fans.

In view of his career accolades, Votto was selected to six All-Star games, earned a Gold Glove award (2011), and was named 2010 NL MVP. Not to mention, he was also the current active leader in MLB walks at the time of his retirement (1,365).

Over the years fans and teammates not only got to witness his stellar on-the-field play, but what really separated Votto was his endearing personality.

Ultimately, his legacy will live on, as Votto embodied what it meant to be a class-act Major League first baseman in every aspect of the game.