Thanks for the Memories, Joey Votto
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
I did not grow up in a baseball family. My parents don’t care for the sport, but I always had an interest, and any chance I had to immerse myself in the game, I took it.
In the Summer of 2007, at 13 years old, I was fortunate enough to spend some time around the Louisville Bats batting practice regularly.
On this particular day, I couldn’t stop watching Joey Votto work. In the cage, he was locked in and hyper-focused on his craft. Outside the cage, he ran down every ball and worked on footwork… in the outfield.
These specific details stick with me because of how special the day was. At the end of batting practice, Votto randomly approached me, signed his batting gloves, and handed them to me, creating a lasting memory.
At that moment, I knew Votto would be my favorite player. Soon, the City of Cincinnati would also share that sentiment.
Votto’s Reds career started with a pinch-hit appearance on September 4, 2007, which resulted in a strikeout. The next day, in his first start, he went 3-for-4 with a home run and never looked back.
Congrats to @JoeyVotto on an incredible big league career.
Votto hit his first career home run off John Maine in the Reds’ 7-0 win over the New York #Mets on Sept. 5, 2007. pic.twitter.com/v29Udmss73
— Mathew Brownstein (@MBrownstein89) August 22, 2024
Votto would finish 2007 slashing .321/.360/.548 and hit over .300 in five of the next six seasons (.297 in 2008). His approach and eye for the strike zone were second to none. He led the league in walks five times and on-base percentage seven times.
For my money, Votto put together the best, most consistent at-bats that I had seen.
This should come as no surprise. If you ask people who played with Votto or spent time around him, you wouldn’t have to wait too long until you hear about how smart he is and how much work he puts into his preparation. He understood the game’s nuances and found advantages where others might not.
His hard work paid off in 2010 when he won the NL MVP. Votto hit a career-high 37 home runs while slashing .324/.424/.600, leading the Reds to an NL Central title, their first since 1995.
The 2010 season was special and ingrained some of the best memories in my generation’s fandom. Following another strong season spoiled by the Giants in 2012, Votto signed a 10-year, $225 million contract keeping him in Cincinnati.
September 11, 2010: Joey Votto bangs his first career walk-off homer. #RedsVault pic.twitter.com/rR4MtyXtTq
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 11, 2021
Usually, these long-term extensions might pay off for a few years but look ugly on the back end, leaving many to question if the deal was worth it. Votto never came with those questions. He continued to produce, and his play on the field collectively surpassed his contract’s worth.
Later in his career, Votto shifted his focus towards more power. He saw the changes across the game and knew that power would likely extend his career as he aged. After back-to-back down years in 2019 and 2020, Votto slugged 36 home runs in 2021 at 37.
Enough about his career accolades and stats. You probably remember just how good he was at baseball. But I don’t want you to forget how great he was to the city of Cincinnati.
After starting his career somewhat shy and guarded, Votto blossomed into a unique voice and open book by the end of his tenure with the Reds.
From his goofy and absurd TikToks to randomly playing chess with strangers, Votto developed into a character who connected with fans more than just his play on the field. A guy who went by the beat of his own drum, Votto was quirky, thoughtful, and bizarre in the best kind of way.
The end of his time in Cincinnati was unfortunate. Father Time and injuries held him back, and he was not afforded the storybook send-off he, or the fans, deserved. I hope we still somehow see a proper goodbye and the fans are given a chance to shower Votto with the love and thanks he deserves.
In my eyes, a Hall of Fame career. A baseball nerd before it became cool. The best Reds hitter in my lifetime and an icon that will live on forever in Cincinnati.
Votto would finish in the top ten in MVP voting six times in his career. Drawing walks, spraying the ball, and hitting more home runs than the average fan remembers. Ask fans about their favorite Votto moment, and you will receive an array of answers because he delivered so many. Start building the statue outside of Great American Ball Park today.
Thank you, Joey Votto, for giving Reds fans memories that will last a lifetime.
The post Thanks for the Memories, Joey Votto appeared first on Just Baseball.
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