Votto retires after 17-year career

Veteran first baseman Joey Votto announced his retirement after a storied 17-year career.

"That's it, I'm done. I'm officially retired from baseball," Votto said Wednesday in a post on Instagram.

Votto signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in the offseason after spending his entire career as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

The 40-year-old sustained an ankle injury during spring training, which kept him out of action for more than two months. Votto struggled at Triple-A Buffalo, posting a .489 OPS with one home run and four RBIs in 15 games.

Votto was hoping to suit up for his hometown Blue Jays and lamented his inability to do so.

"I wanted to play a year in Toronto at home, in front of family, in front of my country," he said, according to The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath. "I'm really saddened that I wasn't able to make it happen, that I wasn't able to arrive and perform at the Rogers Centre in a Blue Jays uniform representing the city I grew up in, country that I grew up in and my people.

"The feeling of playing in front of the fans here would have meant a lot to a lot of people that I'm close to. But I've taken pride in playing well. I want to play well, and I wasn't doing that, so I don't think I would have given them a satisfying experience."

Votto earned six All-Star appearances and won a Gold Glove at first base in 2011 during his time with the Reds. His best season came in 2010 when he was named National League MVP. Votto finished that campaign with 37 home runs, 113 RBIs, a .324 average, and a 1.024 OPS in 150 games.

"Cincinnati, I've only played for you. I love you," Votto said.

Votto was among baseball's most productive offensive players following his debut in 2007. He ranks second to Mike Trout in fWAR (58.8) among position players from 2007-2023.

"An unbelievable career. Getting to know him briefly in spring was a treat for everyone," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

Votto finishes his career with a .294/.409/.511 slash line, 356 home runs, 1,171 runs scored, 1,144 RBIs, and 459 doubles in 2,056 games.