Joey Votto Has Made His Retirement Public.
Joey Votto took to Instagram to announce his retirement from baseball. Reaching out.Since the Jays weren’t likely to call him up, at 165 in Buffalo, why wouldn’t he spend time with his family? His career is worthy of the Hall of Fame. I’m hoping the authors concur. After 17 seasons, he finishes with a.294/.409/.511 line, 356 home runs, 2135 hits, and 1144 RBI. He stated as follows:
Thank you to my parents, Wendy and Joe, for giving me everything I needed to fulfill my dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Thank you to my brother, Tyler Votto, for throwing me wiffle balls for all those years (ha ha, you are the best. I had to write this.). To Warren and Nick for the years of hitting together as high schooler’s. The Etobicoke community for supporting me as a youth player. Oakville, Queensway, Kingsway, Bloordale, Thunderbirds, and Bob Smyth and the Etobicoke Rangers for raising me as a youth baseball player. Mark Capone is STILL better. As a pro, Leon Roberts and Freddie Benavides were my guys. They made me who I was as a pro player. Thank you to them!
As a major league player, Dusty Baker and Scott Rolen taught me how to be a pro’s pro. My man Jay Bruce, can you run? can you hit? can you throw? Then go play. So many great teammates.“Now-a you’re loose.” – Geno
1 am hitting off a tee at GABP with M Lincoln“Sometimes you gotta take your medicine.” – Mesoraco
Paul?“Hello Niño” – La Piedra
“Sometimes you lose” Philly WooSup Bash Bro – Adam Duvall
Hello Richard!“Got an iron?” Griffey Jr
Tokki 1MJ the
Smokestacks “GOAT-y”
Toronto + Canada, I wanted to play in front of you. 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.
Cincinnati, I’ve only played for you. I love you.
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 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.
Thank you for everything. -Joey Votto
