Joey Votto Announces Retirement, Leaving a Legacy with the Reds
Joey Votto, the unwavering cornerstone of the Cincinnati Reds for nearly two decades, officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Wednesday. Votto leaves behind a legacy characterized by stellar achievements and remarkable consistency, making a strong case for Hall of Fame consideration.
Votto's announcement marks the end of an era for the Cincinnati Reds. Over his career, Votto's batting line stood at an impressive .294/.409/.511, encapsulating a 144 OPS+, a testament to his offensive prowess and discipline at the plate.
Throughout his career, Votto accumulated numerous accolades. The high point came in 2010 when he was named the National League MVP. Votto also made six All-Star appearances, solidifying his reputation as one of the premier first basemen in the game. His career stats include 2,135 hits, 459 doubles, and 356 home runs. More impressively, Votto drove in 1,144 runs and crossed the plate 1,171 times.
Among the metrics that underscore Votto's impact on the field is his 64.5 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). He led the league in on-base percentage seven times, walks five times, and topped the charts in OPS twice while also leading in slugging percentage once. Votto's ability to find the gaps was evident as he led the league in doubles once and in OPS+ once.
Given these impressive statistics, it’s no surprise that Votto ranks 42nd all-time in on-base percentage (OBP) and 53rd in OPS. He amassed enough plate appearances to rank 184th overall, while also ranking 34th in walks and 93rd in times on base. Furthermore, among first basemen, Votto ranks 12th in JAWS (Jaffe WAR Score system), a metric that evaluates a player's Hall of Fame worthiness. Astonishingly, he ranks just one spot behind Miguel Cabrera in JAWS and stands ahead of Hall of Famers like Rafael Palmeiro, Willie McCovey, Todd Helton, and Eddie Murray. In fact, Votto ranks higher than 20 Hall of Fame first basemen in JAWS.
While Votto's regular-season numbers are commendable, his playoff performances were notable as well. Votto’s playoff batting line concluded at .244/.319/.244. Notably, he hit .389 with a .500 OBP in the 2012 National League Division Series (NLDS). His clutch performances were equally impressive, hitting .321/.468/.574 with runners in scoring position over his career. In high-leverage situations, Votto maintained a remarkable .314/.438/.562 slash line, and in two-out, runners-in-scoring-position scenarios, he posted a .265 average with an astounding .458 OBP.
These statistics paint a picture of a player who not only excelled individually but also in the most pressure-packed moments, often delivering when his team needed him most. The sentiment among baseball writers and analysts is clear: Votto's career merits Hall of Fame consideration. One writer summed up the prevailing opinion, stating, "I'm a voter for the first time this year and I can very firmly say I'm going to be a Votto voter when the time comes."
Joey Votto's retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Major League Baseball. His exemplary career, marked by both consistency and brilliance, leaves an indelible mark on the sport. As one of the most disciplined and effective hitters of his era, Votto's journey in baseball is worthy of remembrance and honor. Whether or not he is enshrined in Cooperstown, his contributions to the game and his legacy with the Cincinnati Reds will be celebrated for years to come.