Cincinnati Reds legend Joey Votto officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Thursday, bringing an end to his illustrious 17-season career. After spending 2024 trying to make a comeback with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays, Votto was unable to secure a spot on their major league roster. He played 31 games across three teams in the Blue Jays’ system, where he struggled, hitting just .165. Votto opened up about the challenges of adjusting to life in the minor leagues during an interview on the Dan Patrick Show.
“It was a great experience, but it was the hardest thing I’ve done in the last nine months,” Votto said. “I was constantly told ‘no,’ but I kept saying ‘yes.’ The game was telling me ‘no,’ and I was still saying ‘yes.’ I spent nearly five months in Airbnbs and hotels, played through injuries, and lived the minor league life—but I loved it.”
Votto contrasted this with the luxurious life he was accustomed to in the majors. “It was the complete opposite of the posh big league life—no charter jets, no first-class hotels, no one taking your bags. Let’s be real, it actually cost me money to play baseball this year, and I’m not complaining, but that’s the reality of it.”
Joey Votto was beloved by fans because of his evident passion for baseball, a passion that remains undiminished. Throughout his career with the Reds, he led the team to the playoffs three times. While he never won a playoff series, Votto built a compelling case for the Hall of Fame. Will he eventually be enshrined in Cooperstown?
Joey Votto’s Hall of Fame Prospects
There’s no question that Votto will be honored at Great American Ballpark. As a lifelong Red, his number will undoubtedly be retired alongside Cincinnati greats like Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin, and Pete Rose. It’s only a matter of time before the Reds invite him back for a proper send-off.
As for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Votto presents an intriguing case. Even the most ardent Votto supporters would acknowledge that he was likely the third-best first baseman of his era, behind Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols. Both Cabrera and Pujols hit over 500 home runs and won multiple MVP awards, while Votto finished with 356 homers and one MVP award.
Given the competition he faced, Votto may not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. According to Baseball-Reference’s JAWS (Jaffe Wins Above Replacement Score), which measures a player’s Hall of Fame worthiness based on their peak WAR years, Votto ranks just behind Cabrera, surrounded by Hall of Famers. He is slightly ahead of Rafael Palmeiro, who likely would have been inducted if not for PED accusations. Notable Hall of Famers like Willie McCovey, Todd Helton, and Eddie Murray all rank behind Votto.
Votto’s strong WAR numbers are largely due to his exceptional on-base percentage. He led the National League in OBP seven times and topped the majors three times. A six-time All-Star, Votto finished in the top seven in MVP voting on seven occasions. While he may not have the home runs or RBIs typically associated with a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Votto’s eventual induction seems certain before his time on the ballot is up.
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