History of Joey Votto in Timeline

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

1932: Paul Waner's Feat

In 1932, Paul Waner hit 10 doubles in a five-game span, a feat matched by Joey Votto in 2009.

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.

1956: Frank Robinson's RBI Record

In 1956, Frank Robinson set a Cincinnati Reds' rookie record with 83 RBIs, a record that Joey Votto later broke.

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.

September 10, 1983: Joseph Votto Born

On September 10, 1983, Joseph Daniel Votto was born. He would later become a celebrated baseball player.

1985: Dave Parker's RBI Record

In 1985, Dave Parker had 100+ RBIs, a feat that Joey Votto would later repeat.

1986: Dave Parker's RBI Record

In 1986, Dave Parker also had 100+ RBIs, marking back-to-back seasons with that achievement.

1995: Barry Larkin's MVP Award

In 1995, Barry Larkin was the last Cincinnati Reds player to win the MVP award before Joey Votto in 2010.

1997: Enrollment in High School

In 1997, Joey Votto enrolled at Richview Collegiate Institute, where he participated in baseball, basketball, and hockey.

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.

August 2008: Death of Father

In August 2008, the death of Joey Votto's father led to him suffering from depression and anxiety.

2008: Starting First Baseman

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

2008: Runner-up for Rookie of the Year

In 2008, Joey Votto finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting, after a remarkable season.

2008: Death of Father

In 2008, Joey Votto's father, Joseph Votto, a chef and baseball fan, passed away at the age of 52, impacting Votto's life and career.

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: Missed games due to mental health

In 2009, Joey Votto missed games due to stress and other mental health concerns, and was later diagnosed as depressed.

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.

2009: Player of the Week

In 2009, Joey Votto was named the NL Player of the Week for September 21–27.

August 30, 2010: Sports Illustrated Cover

On August 30, 2010, Joey Votto was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

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: Got Maris the dog

In 2010, Joey Votto got a mastiff-golden retriever mix named Maris from a shelter in Kentucky.

2010: Most Valuable Player Award Season

In 2010, Joey Votto had his Most Valuable Player award season.

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.

2010: Ejection from a game

Joey Votto was ejected from a game in 2010, the first ejection since then.

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: All-Star Selection

In 2012, Joey Votto was selected as a National League team starter in the MLB All-Star Game.

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.

May 21, 2014: Placed on Disabled List

On May 21, 2014, Joey Votto was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quadriceps.

May 6, 2015: Ejected from Game and Suspended

On May 6, 2015, Joey Votto was ejected from a game for throwing his helmet in frustration, bumping an umpire, and received a one-game suspension.

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.

2015: A Magnificent Weirdo

In 2015, Whitney McIntosh of SB Nation described Joey Votto as a "magnificent weirdo".

2015: Shoulder injury

In 2022, Joey Votto underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff. He said the injury dated back to 2015 but strength training had enabled him to play through the discomfort.

2016: Led National League in On-Base Percentage

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

2016: Views on Mike Trout

In 2016, Joey Votto expressed his views on Mike Trout, acknowledging Trout's impact on the game.

2017: Loss of teammates

After the 2017 season the Reds traded away some of Joey Votto's closest friends in the clubhouse, including Jay Bruce and Johnny Cueto.

May 2018: Votto Studies Spanish

In May 2018, it was reported that Joey Votto had been studying Spanish for several years to better communicate with his teammates.

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.

2020: Death of Maris the dog

In 2020, Joey Votto's dog Maris died.

July 2021: Named NL Player of the Month

Joey Votto was named NL Player of the Month for July 2021.

2021: Votto Finishes Sophomore Year

In 2021, Joey Votto finished his sophomore year as a geography major at the University of Florida.

2021: Lowest Soft Hit Percentage

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

2021: The Most Interesting Man in Baseball

In a 2021 profile in The Athletic, Joey Votto was described as perhaps "the most interesting man in baseball."

January 2022: Votto Becomes a U.S. Citizen

In January 2022, Joey Votto became a United States citizen in a ceremony in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

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.

September 2023: Love for the Game

After years of loosening up and expanding his life off the field, in September 2023, Joey Votto was able to say, "This is the first time in my career I realize that I love what I do."

2023: Final Season with Cincinnati Reds

In 2023, Joey Votto concluded his 17-year MLB career, having played exclusively with the Cincinnati Reds.

2023: Final Season

In 2023, Joey Votto played his final season.

March 9, 2024: Signed Minor League Contract with Blue Jays

On March 9, 2024, Joey Votto signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that included an invitation to spring training.

2024: Retirement

Joey Votto retired during the 2024 season, ending an illustrious career marked by significant achievements.

2024: Contract End Date

Joey Votto's 10 year contract extension with the Reds, signed April 2, 2012, ran through the 2024 season.

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