Joey Votto receives standing ovation in potential Cincinnati Reds final home game (video)
On Sunday, September 24, 2023, during the second inning of a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Joey Votto thanks the spectators. Aaron Doster/AP Photo
Joey Votto’s time as a Cincinnati Reds legend might have come to an end as another baseball season has come and almost gone.
The veteran Reds player, who turned 40 earlier this month, may have played his final home game for the team on Sunday at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park.
Votto has not officially stated whether he plans to continue playing after this season, but many think the former MVP and six-time All-Star will retire after this one. Additionally, with five games left in the regular season, the Reds still have a slim chance of making the postseason as they are now 2.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card race.
Despite the uncertainty of tomorrow, Reds supporters took the opportunity to praise Votto for his 17 years of dedication to the team at Sunday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Votto came to the plate in the bottom of the second inning to a standing ovation from the 31,161 spectators present at GABP. Votto moved away from the plate to take it all in as the crowd yelled “JO-EY, JO-EY” in honor of their obviously moved veteran slugger.
Votto signaled to the batter’s box and uttered the phrase “I gotta go hit” while grinning at the crowd to halt the minute-long standing ovation.
Votto responded to the standing ovation by saying, “It was my way of being playful,” after the game. And I sincerely hope they did, since I could have retained that information for hours. It was the highest honor possible. Again, I’m in awe. Humbled.
Votto continued, “I almost sobbed. “I wasn’t quite there emotionally because I was so focused on competing, but since it took so long, I almost was. For me, it was an amazing time. It was truly exceptional.
Votto didn’t get a hit in his opening at-bat on Sunday, but he went 1-for-3 overall as the Reds defeated the Pirates 4-2.
Votto has hit well through 62 games so far this season.205 with a.748 OPS and 14 home homers.
Votto made his MLB debut for the Reds in 2007, and has spent his whole career with the team, playing all 17 of his seasons. Votto is currently hitting.295 with 356 home runs, a.921 OPS, and 1,362 walks through 2,053 games in his Reds career, which is the most among all active MLB players and the most in Reds team history. He earned the Most Valuable Player Award for the National League in 2010, and in the 2015 and 2017 MVP polls, he twice came in the top three.