Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joey Votto

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Joey Votto made an impact.

Joey Votto, a Canadian-American former professional baseball first baseman, played his entire 17-year MLB career (2007-2023) with the Cincinnati Reds. He achieved the milestone of 2,000 hits, 300 home runs, and 1,000 RBI, a feat only accomplished by one other Canadian player. A six-time All-Star, he won the NL MVP and Hank Aaron Award in 2010. Votto is celebrated for his exceptional plate discipline, leading active players in career walks and ranking high in on-base percentage and OPS at the time of his retirement. He is one of two Reds in franchise history with at least 300 home runs, 1,000 RBI, and 2,000 hits.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1948: Ted Williams Record

Late in the year, Votto had a streak of consecutive games reaching base multiple times, which spanned 20 games and was the second longest in major league history behind Ted Williams' 1948 record of 21.

1975: Pete Rose Started All Games

Joey Votto became the first Reds player since Pete Rose in 1975 to start all 162 regular season games in a season.

1978: Tied Reds Record

On October 2, 2015, Joey Votto tied a Reds record set by Pete Rose in 1978 when he got on base for his 48th straight game.

2002: Drafted by Cincinnati Reds

In 2002, Joey Votto was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the MLB draft, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.

2003: Pioneer League Championship

In 2003, Joey Votto won the Pioneer League championship with the Billings Mustangs, a memorable stop in his minor league career.

2004: Return to Dayton

In 2004, Joey Votto returned to Dayton, where he hit 26 doubles and 14 home runs in 111 games.

2004: Ichiro Suzuki achievement

Joey Votto became the first player in MLB since Ichiro Suzuki in 2004 to hit .400 after the All-Star break.

2005: Season with Sarasota Reds

During the 2005 campaign with the Sarasota Reds, Joey Votto hit 19 home runs, although his batting average declined.

2006: Southern League MVP

In 2006, Joey Votto had a standout season with the Chattanooga Lookouts, earning the Southern League Most Valuable Player Award.

2006: Plays in Dominican Winter League

In 2006, Joey Votto played in the Dominican Winter League for Leones del Escogido.

September 1, 2007: Promotion to Major Leagues

On September 1, 2007, Joey Votto was promoted to the major leagues by the Cincinnati Reds.

2007: Debut with Cincinnati Reds

In 2007, Joey Votto began his Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds, marking the start of his 17-year tenure with the team.

2007: Start of Major League Career

Joey Votto's major league career started shortly after the 2006-2007 Dominican Winter League.

2008: Starting First Baseman

In 2008, Joey Votto became the Cincinnati Reds' starting first baseman, solidifying his role in the team.

2008: League Leader in Assists

In 2008, Votto led all first basemen in the league with 136 assists.

2009: Finished fifth in assists

In 2009, Joey Votto finished fifth in assists for first basemen with 101 assists

2009: World Baseball Classic

In 2009, Joey Votto played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, showcasing his skills on an international stage.

2009: Opening Day Starter

In 2009, Joey Votto started as the first baseman on Opening Day.

2010: Led National League in On-Base Percentage

From 2010 to 2013, Joey Votto led the National League in on-base percentage.

2010: Finished second in assists

In 2010, Joey Votto finished second in assists for first basemen with 128 assists

2010: NL MVP Award

In 2010, Joey Votto won the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player Award and Hank Aaron Award, solidifying his place as one of baseball's top players.

2010: Strong Start to Season

Joey Votto started the 2010 season strong, and by the end of April he had four home runs and 12 RBI.

January 16, 2011: Contract Extension

On January 16, 2011, the Reds and Joey Votto agreed to a three-year, $38-million contract.

2011: 100th Career Home Run

In 2011, Joey Votto hit his 100th career home run against Brian Matusz of the Baltimore Orioles.

2011: Home Run in First Game

In 2011, Joey Votto homered in the Reds' first game of the season, setting a positive tone for the year.

2011: League Leader in Bases on Balls

In 2011, Joey Votto led the National League in bases on balls with 110.

2011: Won Gold Glove Award

In 2011, Joey Votto won his first Gold Glove Award.

2011: League Leader in Assists and Putouts

In 2011, Votto repeated as league leader in assists, and also led National League first basemen in putouts with 1,341 and he was third in fielding percentage (.996).

2011: Consecutive Games with Home Runs

Joey Votto had not homered in consecutive games since September 10-11, 2011.

April 2, 2012: Contract Extension with Reds

On April 2, 2012, Joey Votto signed a 10-year, $225 million contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds, solidifying his long-term commitment to the team.

2012: League Leader in Assists

In 2012, Votto repeated as league leader in assists for first basemen.

2013: Led National League in On-Base Percentage

From 2010 to 2013, Joey Votto led the National League in on-base percentage.

2013: Played in World Baseball Classic

In 2013, Joey Votto played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, leading the team with five runs and five walks in three games.

2015: Finished second in On-Base Percentage

In 2015, Joey Votto finished second in On-Base Percentage, with .459.

2015: Led MLB in Walks

In 2015, Joey Votto led MLB with 143 walks.

2016: Led National League in On-Base Percentage

From 2016 to 2018, Joey Votto led the National League in on-base percentage.

2018: Led National League in On-Base Percentage

From 2016 to 2018, Joey Votto led the National League in on-base percentage.

June 2020: Votto Addresses Systemic Racism

In June 2020, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Joey Votto wrote an op-ed in The Cincinnati Enquirer in which he described coming to terms with his own white privilege and exploring systemic racism.

2021: Lowest Soft Hit Percentage

In 2021, Joey Votto had the lowest percentage of softly hit balls among all qualified batters, at 8.0%.

August 14, 2022: Most games played by a Canadian-born player

On August 14, 2022, Joey Votto played in his 1,989th career game, passing Larry Walker for the most major league games played by a Canadian-born player.

February 2023: Votto Taking Spanish Lessons

In February 2023, Joey Votto mentioned he was taking Spanish lessons three times a week, partly with the goal of working in the Dominican Republic and the minor leagues.