Joey Votto

Joey Votto is a Canadian-American former professional baseball first baseman who spent his entire 17-year Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds selected Votto in the second round of the MLB draft, and after progressing through the minor leagues, he became a central figure for the franchise. As Cincinnati secured the NL Central division title for its first playoff berth in more than a decade, Votto posted a .324 batting average, a .424 on-base percentage, a .600 slugging percentage, 37 home runs, and 113 RBIs, earning the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He also received the Hank Aaron Award and became the first Reds player to win the MVP Award since Barry Larkin. During this period, Votto was named to his first All-Star Game and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Votto's career statistics place him among the top first basemen in MLB history. Over 17 seasons in Cincinnati, he recorded a .294 batting average, 356 home runs, 1,144 RBIs, and a .409 on-base percentage in 2,056 games. He led the National League in on-base percentage seven times and earned a Gold Glove Award. Votto ranked first in career walks among active players at the time of his retirement, third in on-base percentage, and fourth in on-base plus slugging. Only Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, and Rogers Hornsby led their league in on-base percentage more times than Votto. He is a six-time MLB All-Star, a seven-time Tip O'Neill Award winner, and a two-time Lou Marsh Trophy recipient as Canada's athlete of the year. Votto is one of only two Reds players with at least 300 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and 2,000 hits, alongside Johnny Bench.

Off the field, Votto has spoken publicly about his personal challenges, including the loss of his father and his experiences with depression and anxiety. He has shared his story to help others facing similar mental health issues. Votto established the Joey Votto Foundation to support military veterans and active service members in Cincinnati and Toronto dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, drawing on his own experiences with emotional struggles.

Following his retirement from professional baseball, Votto transitioned into a media role as an analyst for NBC, appearing on pregame shows for Sunday Night Baseball and providing coverage during the Wild Card round. A native of Toronto, Votto became known for his engaging interviews and on-field personality, contributing to his reputation as a knowledgeable and articulate baseball analyst. His career reflects a combination of athletic achievement, mental health advocacy, and media expertise within the baseball industry.