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Baseball community expresses gratitude to Joey Votto following unexpected retirement
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    Baseball community expresses gratitude to Joey Votto following unexpected retirement

    Joey Votto is calling it a career, and he couldn’t have done it in a more typical way.

    There was no retirement tour, no destiny-fulfilling grind back to the majors to play for the Toronto Blue Jays, and no big ceremony. Just a nine-second video posted to Instagram with Votto announcing to the world that his baseball career had come to an end. If there’s one player that would almost ‘Irish exit’ his playing career, it’s him.

    In his post to social media, Votto took the time to thank teammates, coaches, communities, organizations and everyone who helped him along the way. He also threw in some jabs, in typical Votto fashion.

    “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,” Votto said in his post. “I’ll never forget, early in my career, my first time at Wrigley Field and the crowd standing and cheering toward my failure. I remember 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.”

    The six-time all-star and former NL MVP established himself as one of the greatest Cincinnati Reds of all time, spending all 17 years of his major league career with the Ohioan team. Hailing from Toronto, Ont., he will also go down as one of the best Canadian players of all time.

    He finishes his career with a career .294 batting average and .920 OPS. He also has 356 career home runs, the 92nd-most all-time and the fourth-most among active players.

    Though the 40-year-old tried to crack a major league roster once more this year, signing with the Blue Jays on a minor league deal in the off-season, a trip back to the majors with his hometown team didn’t come to fruition.

    “Toronto + Canada, I wanted to play in front of you,” Votto said in his Instagram post. “Sigh, I tried with all my heart to play for my people. I’m just not good anymore. Thank you for all the support during my attempt.”

    Despite missing out on the storybook ending, fans from Canada, Cincinnati and across the baseball world were quick to thank and praise Votto for a stellar MLB career. Here are some of the best reactions.

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    After 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto announced his retirement from the game on Wednesday. The news came as a shock to many in the baseball community, as Votto had been a consistent presence on the field and a fan favorite throughout his career.

    Votto, who was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, was drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2002 MLB Draft. He made his debut with the team in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the top hitters in the league. Over the course of his career, Votto won the National League MVP award in 2010, was selected to six All-Star Games, and won a Gold Glove award in 2011.

    Throughout his time in Cincinnati, Votto was known for his work ethic, leadership, and dedication to the game. He was a mentor to younger players on the team and was respected by his peers for his approach to the game both on and off the field.

    Following the announcement of his retirement, many members of the baseball community took to social media to express their gratitude to Votto for his contributions to the sport. Former teammates, opponents, and fans all shared their memories of watching Votto play and thanked him for his impact on the game.

    One of the most common themes in these messages was Votto’s professionalism and dedication to his craft. Many noted that he was a role model for younger players and set an example for how to approach the game with respect and integrity.

    In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Votto was also known for his charitable work off the field. He was involved in numerous philanthropic efforts in both Cincinnati and his native Canada, and was a vocal advocate for various causes throughout his career.

    As Votto transitions into retirement, he leaves behind a lasting legacy in the baseball world. His impact on the game will be felt for years to come, and he will be remembered as one of the greats of his era.

    In conclusion, the baseball community is grateful for Joey Votto’s contributions to the sport and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of fans and players alike.