Joey Votto
Encyclopedia
Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, (born September 10, 1983) is a Canadian Major League Baseball
first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds
. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League
Hank Aaron Award
for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy
as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.
.
) in the second round of the 2002 MLB amateur draft by the Reds (44th overall), Votto's first few professional seasons with the Reds' rookie-level affiliates were quiet. However, Votto burst onto the scene in 2004, when he hit 26 doubles, 14 home run
s, and sported a batting average
of .302 with the Class A Dayton Dragons
. He was promoted to Class A Advanced Potomac
, and hit five more home runs in 20 games to end the season with 19.
Votto's consistency declined during 2005 campaign with Sarasota. While he still hit 19 home runs, Votto struck out 122 times and his batting average dropped nearly 50 points to .256.
Votto rebounded in 2006 with the best of his minor league career. Playing with Class AA Chattanooga
, he improved his batting average to .319 and hit 46 doubles and 22 home runs. He led the Southern League
in batting average and total bases and was third in the league in home runs and RBI. Votto was selected to play in the 2006 Futures Game
on the World Team. He also played on both the Mid-Season and Post-Season Northern League All-Star teams, and was voted a minor league all-star by Baseball America
. Votto culminated his season by winning the Northern League MVP award.
for the Louisville Bats
. He was called up on September 1, 2007. He made his Major League debut on September 4, 2007, striking out against Guillermo Mota
of the New York Mets
. In his second major league at bat Votto hit his first career home run. He went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs. The Reds won the game, 7-0. On September 8, Votto went 1 for 3 with a home runs and 3 runs batted in. His 3 RBIs were the only runs the Reds got as they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers
, 4-3. In his next game, he went 2 for 4. On Septepmer 14, Votto stole his first career base against the Brewers. Votto ended the season on a good note, going 2-for-4 with a home run and 5 RBIs in the Cincinnati Reds
' final game of the 2007 season. Votto would finished the season batting .321 with 4 home runs and 17 runs batted in.
Beginning the 2008 season, Votto shared time platooning at first base with Scott Hatteberg
, until Manager Dusty Baker
began playing Votto as the Reds'
starting first baseman in early April. On April 15, Votto hit his first home run of the season off of Michael Wuertz
. Votto drove in a career high 5 runs against the Cubs 2 games later. Votto also had a nice defenvie play in the game. In the 7th inning, Votto strecthed and made a fine play when he robbed Mike Fontenot
of a base hit and ended the Cubs threat with runners on second and third. “I’m glad I came through in that situation early in the game,” Votto said. “I think that leaving here without getting swept is really important.”
On May 7, 2008, Votto hit three home runs in a game against the Chicago Cubs
. “I’m like a kid,” said Votto, a second-year player who had never hit more than one in a game. “I thought it was cool. It’s not a big part of my game.”
Votto hit his first career pinch hit home run against Cleveland' Cliff Lee
, who would go on to win the AL Cy Young Award. He broke the Reds' record for the most runs batted in by a rookie in a single season. The previous record was held by National Baseball Hall of Fame
outfielder
Frank Robinson
with 83 RBI set in 1956. Votto drove in 84 runs during the 2008 season. On August 31, Votto had his first career 4-hit game against the San Francisco Giants
. He also koncked in 4 runs in a 9-3 Reds victory. On September 18, Votto and teammate Jay Bruce
each homered 2 times. They became the fifth rookie teammates to in divisional player era to hit 20 home runs in the same season. Votto also drove in 4 runs in the game. Votto then ended the season by going 2 for 2 with a home run, 2 runs batted in, and a base on ball.
He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to the Chicago Cubs
' Geovany Soto
. Votto led all NL rookies in hitting (.297), hits (156), HR (24), total bases (266), multi-hit games (42), on-base percentage (.368) and slugging percentage (.506).
in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In Canada's first game against the United States
, Votto had 4 hits
in 5 at-bats, one of which was a home run
.
Votto began the 2009 season strong as the outright starter at first base. In the second game of the season, Votto went 3 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBI in a loss to the New York Mets
. In the next game against the Mets, Votto had another homer and 4 RBI. He had a 6-game hitting streak from April 12 through April 18. Votto's short hitting streak ended when he went 0 for 4 against the Houston Astros. On April 23, Votto went 4 for 5 with a home run and 2 runs batted in against the Cubs. Votto ended out with a .346 batting average, 3 home runs, and 20 runs batted in in the month of April.
Votto opened May with a 5-game hitting streak. In a May matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals
, Votto had two homers for 4 RBI. He finished out the month with 5 home runs and a .378 batting average. However, Votto was placed on the DL to open June after missing time in May due to personal issues. Prior to his return game during the 2009 season he indicated he had been suffering from depression and anxiety issues as a result of the death of his father in August 2008, and had sought treatment for them. He had previously missed time because of dizziness related to an inner ear infection.
Votto made his return against the Toronto Blue Jays
on June 23. Joey went 1 for 4 but struck out 2 times. In his third game back, Votto went 4 for 5 with a home run and 4 RBIs. After going hitless in his fourth game back, Votto had a 14-game hitting streak. During that stretch, Votto bated .389 with 3 home runs and 14 runs batted in. His hitting streak ended against the Mets on July 12 when he went 0 for 2.
Votto was named the National League Player of the Week
for September 21–27, 2009, after hitting 10 doubles in a five-game span, a concentrated display not seen in 77 years. Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner
did it for the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1932. Votto went 2 for 3 with a home run, 3 RBIs, and 2 base on balls against the Pirates on October 3. In the last game of the season, he went 3 for 4 with a base on balls and raised his average over the .320 mark.
Despite missing 31 games overall, Votto finished the 2009 season among the National League leaders in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.414), slugging percentage (.567), and hit 25 home runs.
.
Votto played better in the month of May. He batted .344 with 6 home runs and 21 runs batted in. However, he missed the last 6 games that month due to a sore neck injury. Votto would be back on June 1 in a game against the Cardinals. He went 4 for 5 with a home run and a run batted in. The Reds won the game to regain theNL Central lead. "I wouldn't use the word nerve-wracking, but I think this year we've proven to other people and proven to ourselves that no lead is safe," Votto said. "We have to respect the opposition and play hard all the way through nine innings.
Votto was not initially voted to the 2010 All-Star game
in Anaheim, California
, but made the roster via online fan voting through the National League's Final Vote. Votto was named on 13.7 million of the 26 million ballots submitted. Though, after the game, despite a National League victory, Votto refused to congratulate fellow N.L. All-star Marlon Byrd
who made a game saving play by throwing out David Ortiz
. Votto stated "I don't like the Cubs
," Byrd's current team and a divisional rival. Votto also added "And I'm not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back. We are Cincinnati Reds. We're taught to hate everything in the Central Division. That's just how it is." Votto went 0–2.
On August 25, Votto went 4 for 7 with 2 home runs and 4 runs batted in. Votto also drove in the tiebreaking single off of Giants pitcher Barry Zito
. "We had such a comfortable lead for most of the game," Votto said. "For them to come back like that, it could have been difficult to recover. Momentum plays a big role in a game like this. We just showed some resiliency to come back ourselves. "Votto made the cover of Sports Illustrated
on the August 30, 2010 edition.
On September 11, Votto hit his first career walk-off home run of his career off of Pirates relief pitcher, Justin Thomas
. "Thank God for Joey Votto," manager Dusty Baker
said. "That was MVP stuff right there. That's what people come to see. That's what we've come to expect."
On the season Votto hit .324 with 113 RBIs, 106 runs scored, and 37 homers, including a grand slam
off of Tommy Hanson
of the Atlanta Braves
on May 20. He finished the season leading the Major Leagues in On Base Percentage (.424), and led the National League in Slugging Percentage (.600), and On-Base Plus Slugging
(1.024). The Reds would make the postseason but would lose to the Phillies in the National League Divisional Series, 3 games to 0. Votto struggled in the series, batting .091 with no home runs and only an RBI.
Votto won the 2010 Hank Aaron Award
in the National League.
He was announced as the 2010 NL MVP, coming within one vote of winning unanimously (Albert Pujols
received the other first-place vote). He was only the third Canadian to win the MVP award, after Larry Walker
and Justin Morneau
. He became the first Reds player to win the National League MVP since Barry Larkin
won it in 1995. "After the season, when I looked at my numbers and at Albert's numbers, I thought: 'Holy cow! He's beaten me in a lot of them," Votto said. "He beat me in runs, he beat me in RBIs, home runs, I think a couple others. I beat him in a few of the qualitative stats.
"I don't know -- I think it was a tossup. I think that it was as close as it can get. I'm not going to go on a limb and say, 'Oh, yeah, I played a heck of a lot better than him because I beat him in batting average, but we all know that batting average is kind of an overrated statistic."
Votto homered in the Reds first game of the 2011 season, a solo homer off of Yovani Gallarado of the Brewers. He also reached base two more times by bases on balls. Votto recorded his first 4-hit game of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks
and raised his average to .455. On April 13, he had 3 hits but the Reds lost the game against the San Diego Padres
, 3-2. By the end of April, Votto had a .370 batting average
, 4 home runs, and 14 runs batted in. He continued to get on base and posted a .500 on-base percentage. Votto began the season by reaching base in 27 consecutive games dating back to last season. The club record was by Dave Collins
with 34 in 1981.
On June 25, Votto hit his 100th career home run against Brian Matusz
of the Orioles. He later add another home run in the game. That was also his first mult-homer game of the season. He also drove in 5 runs, the most he drove in a game during the entire season. "That was a big night. Hit his 100th home run," Reds manager Dusty Baker
said. "Boy, we need him badly."
On July 3, Votto was voted in by the players for the 2011 All Star Game
as a reserve. Votto went 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Votto had a chance to hit 30 home runs for the second straight season but went 0 for 3 in the last game of the season. Nevertheless, he led the Reds in home runs (29), runs batted in (103), and batting average (.309).
Votto finished with a .309 batting average
, 29 home runs, and 103 runs batted in. He also led the NL in doubles (40), base on balls (110), and on-base percentage (.416).
On November 1, Votto won his first Gold Glove Award
. Votto would finished 6th in the NL MVP voting.
Votto has been known to show great patient at the plate. He led the NL in base on balls with 110 in 2011. His career on-base percentage is at .405. He led the NL in that catergory in 2010 and 2011.
Votto is also considered a very good defensive first basemen. He led the NL in assists for first basemen(173) and putouts as first basemen (1,341). He was also third in fielding percentage for first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage in 2011. He won his first Gold Glove Award in 2011.
During baseball season, Joey lives in Mt. Adams, an upscale neighborhood near downtown Cincinnati
. In the off season he lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Minor League:
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Hank Aaron Award
Hank Aaron Award
The Hank Aaron Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball players selected as the top hitter in each league, as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run mark...
for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy
Lou Marsh Trophy
The Lou Marsh Trophy, also known as the Lou Marsh Memorial Trophy and Lou Marsh Award, is a trophy that is awarded annually to Canada's top athlete, professional or amateur. It is awarded by a panel of journalists, with the vote taking place in December. It was first awarded in 1936...
as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010.
Early life
Votto was born on September 10, 1983 in Toronto, Canada. Votto grew up in the western Etobicoke section of the city. His mother was a sommelier and restaurant manager. His father, Joseph, was a chef and a huge baseball fan. Votto enrolled at Richview Collegiate Institute in 1997. At his high school, Votto was interested in basketball but he was not interested in hockey. Votto and his father were fans of the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
.
Early career
Votto was drafted out of high school (Richview Collegiate InstituteRichview Collegiate Institute
Richview Collegiate Institute is a secondary school in Etobicoke, in the west end of Toronto, Ontario. It is in the Toronto District School Board....
) in the second round of the 2002 MLB amateur draft by the Reds (44th overall), Votto's first few professional seasons with the Reds' rookie-level affiliates were quiet. However, Votto burst onto the scene in 2004, when he hit 26 doubles, 14 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and sported a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .302 with the Class A Dayton Dragons
Dayton Dragons
The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball team from Dayton, Ohio affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Midwest League at Fifth Third Field.The Dragons came to Dayton in 2000...
. He was promoted to Class A Advanced Potomac
Potomac Nationals
The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.-History:...
, and hit five more home runs in 20 games to end the season with 19.
Votto's consistency declined during 2005 campaign with Sarasota. While he still hit 19 home runs, Votto struck out 122 times and his batting average dropped nearly 50 points to .256.
Votto rebounded in 2006 with the best of his minor league career. Playing with Class AA Chattanooga
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
, he improved his batting average to .319 and hit 46 doubles and 22 home runs. He led the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
in batting average and total bases and was third in the league in home runs and RBI. Votto was selected to play in the 2006 Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
on the World Team. He also played on both the Mid-Season and Post-Season Northern League All-Star teams, and was voted a minor league all-star by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. Votto culminated his season by winning the Northern League MVP award.
Major leagues (2007–present)
2007–08 seasons
Votto started off the 2007 season playing in Triple-AAAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
for the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
. He was called up on September 1, 2007. He made his Major League debut on September 4, 2007, striking out against Guillermo Mota
Guillermo Mota
Guillermo Reynoso Mota is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He stands tall and weighs . He throws and bats right-handed. Mota has played for the Montreal Expos, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Florida Marlins, the Cleveland Indians, the New York Mets, the Milwaukee Brewers and the San...
of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. In his second major league at bat Votto hit his first career home run. He went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs. The Reds won the game, 7-0. On September 8, Votto went 1 for 3 with a home runs and 3 runs batted in. His 3 RBIs were the only runs the Reds got as they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, 4-3. In his next game, he went 2 for 4. On Septepmer 14, Votto stole his first career base against the Brewers. Votto ended the season on a good note, going 2-for-4 with a home run and 5 RBIs in the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
' final game of the 2007 season. Votto would finished the season batting .321 with 4 home runs and 17 runs batted in.
Beginning the 2008 season, Votto shared time platooning at first base with Scott Hatteberg
Scott Hatteberg
Scott Allen Hatteberg is a former American Major League Baseball first baseman and catcher.- Early life :...
, until Manager Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
began playing Votto as the Reds'
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
starting first baseman in early April. On April 15, Votto hit his first home run of the season off of Michael Wuertz
Michael Wuertz
Michael James Wuertz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is known for his slider, which had the most strikeouts per swing in 2009.- Chicago Cubs :...
. Votto drove in a career high 5 runs against the Cubs 2 games later. Votto also had a nice defenvie play in the game. In the 7th inning, Votto strecthed and made a fine play when he robbed Mike Fontenot
Mike Fontenot
Michael Eugene "Mike" Fontenot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the San Francisco Giants.-High school career:Mike Fontenot was a standout for Salmen High School in Slidell, Louisiana...
of a base hit and ended the Cubs threat with runners on second and third. “I’m glad I came through in that situation early in the game,” Votto said. “I think that leaving here without getting swept is really important.”
On May 7, 2008, Votto hit three home runs in a game against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. “I’m like a kid,” said Votto, a second-year player who had never hit more than one in a game. “I thought it was cool. It’s not a big part of my game.”
Votto hit his first career pinch hit home run against Cleveland' Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
, who would go on to win the AL Cy Young Award. He broke the Reds' record for the most runs batted in by a rookie in a single season. The previous record was held by National Baseball Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
with 83 RBI set in 1956. Votto drove in 84 runs during the 2008 season. On August 31, Votto had his first career 4-hit game against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He also koncked in 4 runs in a 9-3 Reds victory. On September 18, Votto and teammate Jay Bruce
Jay Bruce
Jay Allen Bruce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. He was selected 12th overall in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft....
each homered 2 times. They became the fifth rookie teammates to in divisional player era to hit 20 home runs in the same season. Votto also drove in 4 runs in the game. Votto then ended the season by going 2 for 2 with a home run, 2 runs batted in, and a base on ball.
He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
' Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Professional career:...
. Votto led all NL rookies in hitting (.297), hits (156), HR (24), total bases (266), multi-hit games (42), on-base percentage (.368) and slugging percentage (.506).
2009 season
Votto played for CanadaCanada national baseball team
Canada has qualified for two Olympic games, in 2004 and 2008. Canadian teams also competed twice when baseball was a demonstration sport, in 1984 and 1988.-1984 Summer Olympics:...
in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In Canada's first game against the United States
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
, Votto had 4 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 5 at-bats, one of which was a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
.
Votto began the 2009 season strong as the outright starter at first base. In the second game of the season, Votto went 3 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBI in a loss to the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. In the next game against the Mets, Votto had another homer and 4 RBI. He had a 6-game hitting streak from April 12 through April 18. Votto's short hitting streak ended when he went 0 for 4 against the Houston Astros. On April 23, Votto went 4 for 5 with a home run and 2 runs batted in against the Cubs. Votto ended out with a .346 batting average, 3 home runs, and 20 runs batted in in the month of April.
Votto opened May with a 5-game hitting streak. In a May matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Votto had two homers for 4 RBI. He finished out the month with 5 home runs and a .378 batting average. However, Votto was placed on the DL to open June after missing time in May due to personal issues. Prior to his return game during the 2009 season he indicated he had been suffering from depression and anxiety issues as a result of the death of his father in August 2008, and had sought treatment for them. He had previously missed time because of dizziness related to an inner ear infection.
Votto made his return against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on June 23. Joey went 1 for 4 but struck out 2 times. In his third game back, Votto went 4 for 5 with a home run and 4 RBIs. After going hitless in his fourth game back, Votto had a 14-game hitting streak. During that stretch, Votto bated .389 with 3 home runs and 14 runs batted in. His hitting streak ended against the Mets on July 12 when he went 0 for 2.
Votto was named the National League Player of the Week
Player of the Week
The Player of the Week award is a Major League Baseball award named by each of the American and National Leagues each week of the regular season...
for September 21–27, 2009, after hitting 10 doubles in a five-game span, a concentrated display not seen in 77 years. Hall of Fame outfielder Paul Waner
Paul Waner
Paul Glee Waner , nicknamed "Big Poison", was a German-American Major League Baseball right fielder.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
did it for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 1932. Votto went 2 for 3 with a home run, 3 RBIs, and 2 base on balls against the Pirates on October 3. In the last game of the season, he went 3 for 4 with a base on balls and raised his average over the .320 mark.
Despite missing 31 games overall, Votto finished the 2009 season among the National League leaders in batting average (.322), on-base percentage (.414), slugging percentage (.567), and hit 25 home runs.
2010 season
Votto started the 2010 season by going 3 for 5 with a home run and a run batted in. By the end of April, Votto had 4 home runs and 12 runs batted in. His average was only at .275 but his on base percentage was at an even .400 due to 18 base on ballsBase on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
.
Votto played better in the month of May. He batted .344 with 6 home runs and 21 runs batted in. However, he missed the last 6 games that month due to a sore neck injury. Votto would be back on June 1 in a game against the Cardinals. He went 4 for 5 with a home run and a run batted in. The Reds won the game to regain theNL Central lead. "I wouldn't use the word nerve-wracking, but I think this year we've proven to other people and proven to ourselves that no lead is safe," Votto said. "We have to respect the opposition and play hard all the way through nine innings.
Votto was not initially voted to the 2010 All-Star game
2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 81st midseason exhibition between the All-Stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, but made the roster via online fan voting through the National League's Final Vote. Votto was named on 13.7 million of the 26 million ballots submitted. Though, after the game, despite a National League victory, Votto refused to congratulate fellow N.L. All-star Marlon Byrd
Marlon Byrd
Marlon Jerrard Byrd , popularly known as The Position or The Possish or Sish, is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs...
who made a game saving play by throwing out David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
. Votto stated "I don't like the Cubs
Cubs
Cubs may refer to:*Chicago Cubs, a baseball team of the National League of Major League Baseball**Iowa Cubs, a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League**Daytona Cubs, a minor league baseball team of the Florida State League...
," Byrd's current team and a divisional rival. Votto also added "And I'm not going to pat anybody with a Cubs uniform on the back. We are Cincinnati Reds. We're taught to hate everything in the Central Division. That's just how it is." Votto went 0–2.
On August 25, Votto went 4 for 7 with 2 home runs and 4 runs batted in. Votto also drove in the tiebreaking single off of Giants pitcher Barry Zito
Barry Zito
Barry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams....
. "We had such a comfortable lead for most of the game," Votto said. "For them to come back like that, it could have been difficult to recover. Momentum plays a big role in a game like this. We just showed some resiliency to come back ourselves. "Votto made the cover of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
on the August 30, 2010 edition.
On September 11, Votto hit his first career walk-off home run of his career off of Pirates relief pitcher, Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas
Justin Joseph Thomas is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Thomas stands at 6'3" and weighs 215 pounds...
. "Thank God for Joey Votto," manager Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
said. "That was MVP stuff right there. That's what people come to see. That's what we've come to expect."
On the season Votto hit .324 with 113 RBIs, 106 runs scored, and 37 homers, including a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
off of Tommy Hanson
Tommy Hanson
Thomas J "Tommy" Hanson is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Hanson was considered by Baseball America to be the top prospect in the Braves farm system going into the 2009 season...
of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
on May 20. He finished the season leading the Major Leagues in On Base Percentage (.424), and led the National League in Slugging Percentage (.600), and On-Base Plus Slugging
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
(1.024). The Reds would make the postseason but would lose to the Phillies in the National League Divisional Series, 3 games to 0. Votto struggled in the series, batting .091 with no home runs and only an RBI.
Votto won the 2010 Hank Aaron Award
Hank Aaron Award
The Hank Aaron Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball players selected as the top hitter in each league, as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run mark...
in the National League.
He was announced as the 2010 NL MVP, coming within one vote of winning unanimously (Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
received the other first-place vote). He was only the third Canadian to win the MVP award, after Larry Walker
Larry Walker
Larry Kenneth Robert Walker is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1989 through 2005, Walker played for the Montreal Expos , Colorado Rockies , and St. Louis Cardinals...
and Justin Morneau
Justin Morneau
Justin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
. He became the first Reds player to win the National League MVP since Barry Larkin
Barry Larkin
Barry Louis Larkin is a retired Major League Baseball player. Larkin played shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds from 1986 to 2004 and was one of the pivotal players on the 1990 Reds' World Series championship team...
won it in 1995. "After the season, when I looked at my numbers and at Albert's numbers, I thought: 'Holy cow! He's beaten me in a lot of them," Votto said. "He beat me in runs, he beat me in RBIs, home runs, I think a couple others. I beat him in a few of the qualitative stats.
"I don't know -- I think it was a tossup. I think that it was as close as it can get. I'm not going to go on a limb and say, 'Oh, yeah, I played a heck of a lot better than him because I beat him in batting average, but we all know that batting average is kind of an overrated statistic."
2011 season
On January 16, it was announced that the Reds and Votto agreed to a 3-year, $38 million deal.Votto homered in the Reds first game of the 2011 season, a solo homer off of Yovani Gallarado of the Brewers. He also reached base two more times by bases on balls. Votto recorded his first 4-hit game of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and raised his average to .455. On April 13, he had 3 hits but the Reds lost the game against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, 3-2. By the end of April, Votto had a .370 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 4 home runs, and 14 runs batted in. He continued to get on base and posted a .500 on-base percentage. Votto began the season by reaching base in 27 consecutive games dating back to last season. The club record was by Dave Collins
Dave Collins
David S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD...
with 34 in 1981.
On June 25, Votto hit his 100th career home run against Brian Matusz
Brian Matusz
Brian Robert Matusz is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in the American League.-College:...
of the Orioles. He later add another home run in the game. That was also his first mult-homer game of the season. He also drove in 5 runs, the most he drove in a game during the entire season. "That was a big night. Hit his 100th home run," Reds manager Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
said. "Boy, we need him badly."
On July 3, Votto was voted in by the players for the 2011 All Star Game
2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 82nd in-season exhibition game between the All-Stars of the National League and the American League ; the leagues composing Major League Baseball. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the...
as a reserve. Votto went 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Votto had a chance to hit 30 home runs for the second straight season but went 0 for 3 in the last game of the season. Nevertheless, he led the Reds in home runs (29), runs batted in (103), and batting average (.309).
Votto finished with a .309 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 29 home runs, and 103 runs batted in. He also led the NL in doubles (40), base on balls (110), and on-base percentage (.416).
On November 1, Votto won his first Gold Glove Award
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
. Votto would finished 6th in the NL MVP voting.
Player Profile
At the end of the 2011 season, Votto currently owned a career .313 batting average, 119 home runs, and 401 runs batted in.Votto has been known to show great patient at the plate. He led the NL in base on balls with 110 in 2011. His career on-base percentage is at .405. He led the NL in that catergory in 2010 and 2011.
Votto is also considered a very good defensive first basemen. He led the NL in assists for first basemen(173) and putouts as first basemen (1,341). He was also third in fielding percentage for first basemen with a .996 fielding percentage in 2011. He won his first Gold Glove Award in 2011.
Personal Life
Joey owns a dog named Maris.During baseball season, Joey lives in Mt. Adams, an upscale neighborhood near downtown Cincinnati
Downtown Cincinnati
Downtown Cincinnati is the central business district of Cincinnati, Ohio, and one of its 52 neighborhoods.-Geography:Downtown Cincinnati's streets are arranged in a grid configuration. It is bisected by Vine Street....
. In the off season he lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Career awards and honors
Major League:- 2011 National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All-Star (Cincinnati) - 2010 Tip O'Neill AwardTip O'Neill AwardThe Tip O'Neill Award is an award given out by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to the Canadian baseball player "judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to the highest ideals of the game of baseball." It is named for Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer...
- 2010 National League Most Valuable Player
- 2010 National League Hank Aaron AwardHank Aaron AwardThe Hank Aaron Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball players selected as the top hitter in each league, as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron's surpassing of Babe Ruth's career home run mark...
- 2010 Ernie LombardiErnie LombardiErnesto Natali "Ernie" Lombardi , was a Major League Baseball catcher for the Brooklyn Robins, the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants during a Hall of Fame career that spanned 17 years, from 1931 to 1947. He had several nicknames, including "Schnozz", "Lumbago", "Bocci",...
MVP Award (Cincinnati) - 2010 National League All-Star (Cincinnati)
- 2010 Lou Marsh TrophyLou Marsh TrophyThe Lou Marsh Trophy, also known as the Lou Marsh Memorial Trophy and Lou Marsh Award, is a trophy that is awarded annually to Canada's top athlete, professional or amateur. It is awarded by a panel of journalists, with the vote taking place in December. It was first awarded in 1936...
, awarded to Canada'sCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
athlete of the year - 2009 National League Player of the Week (Week of Sept. 21–27) (Cincinnati)
Minor League:
- 2007 INTInternational LeagueThe International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
Post-Season All Star (Louisville) - 2007 INT Mid-Season All Star (Louisville)
- 2007 INT Rookie of the Year (Louisville)
- 2007 Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Triple-A All Star (Louisville) - 2006 Baseball America Double-A All Star (Chattanooga)
- 2006 SOUSouthern League (baseball)The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
Most Valuable Player (Chattanooga) - 2006 SOU Mid-Season All Star (Chattanooga)
- 2006 SOU Post-Season All Star (Chattanooga)
External links
- Joey Votto career statistics from MILB.com
- Feature on 1B Joey Votto from MILB.com
- Joey Votto News