Former Etobicoke Ranger Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) hung it up last week, but praise continues to roll in for the 17-year major leaguer. Photo: AP

August 25, 2024

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Joey Votto was oh so close to playing for his hometown Toronto Blue Jays.

No, we don't mean a healthy two weeks at triple-A Buffalo and then making the drive to the Rogers Centre.

We mean in August of 2015.

That's when Alex Anthopoulos overturned 1/3 of his roster adding SS Troy Tulowitzki and LHP David Price before the July 31 deadline. He also added OF Ben Revere, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, RP Mark Lowe, INF Cliff Pennington and INF Darwin Barney.

But he also wanted to obtain 1B Votto from the Reds, who moved RHP Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals and RHP Mike Leake to the San Francisco Giants before the deadline. Both teams thought that was the deal could be completed with remaining prospect capita in August due to Votto's salary.

As Meatloaf used to wail “two (Price and Tulowitzki) out of three ain't bad,” as the influx of talent helped the Blue Jays break their 22-year post-season drought. And Toronto almost forced a Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in Kansas City before losing.

After being below .500 approaching the deadline the Jays finished 43-18 (.705 winning percentage). While Price was an 11-start rental, Tulowitzki was under contract for 2016 as well.

But what if Anthopoulos had landed Votto, who at the time had $204.6 million remaining on his eight-year contact extension. Votto would have replaced Justin Smoak at first base in 2015. The Reds and the Jays could not work out a deal in August. The thinking on both sides was that Votto's salary would have passed through waivers without a claim.

It certainly would have been a different situation had Votto been acquired. He had a four-season steak of leading the National League in on-base percentage from 2010-12 (.424, .416, .474 and .435 and then in 2016-18 he led again (.434, ,454 and .417).

* * *

Someone walked up to me at Meadowvale Park and told me Votto had retired.

Oh, no … after working so hard and so long to get back.

I sent him a text borrowing from that old baseball line “Say it ain’t so, Joe."

His reply: “So.”

* * *

Some Votto numbers ...

_ Six times he finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, including winning the NL award in 2010.

_ Six all-star selections.

_ Seven seasons Votto batted .300 or better, had an on-base mark of .400 or better and slugged .500 or more. Only Barry Bonds, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Albert Pujols, Chipper Jones, Manny Ramirez, Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas and Mickey Mantle had more.

_ Nine seasons of hitting .300 or better.

_ 356 home runs, second in Reds history.

_ 242 plate appearances in 2023, returning 10 months after his Aug. 19, 2022, surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and a torn biceps.

_ 325 days between his final last at-bat with the Reds (a strikeout against Miles Mikolas) and his decision to retire last Wednesday night ending his comeback at triple-A Buffalo.

_ 857 extra-base hits, second in Cincinnati history.

_ 1,144 RBIs, third in Reds history.

_ 3,644 total bases, third in Reds history.

* * *

Votto has legitimate case to become the next Canadian elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

“The last time I spoke to Joey Votto was on the morning of his draft day in 2002. The thing I remember is how humble and genuine he was and what I remember vividly is him asking me if I thought he would really be drafted and my response was that everything will work out for the best and he thanked me for the call and best wishes. And the rest is history.” _ Philadelphia Phillies cross checker Alex Agostino (St-Bruno, Que.), who was scouting Canada for the Florida Marlins at the time.

"Joey has helped pave the way for Canadian players to dream about playing prof ball.  As a kid growing up in Etobicoke, playing on the same fields that these kids play on today, he worked hard and carved himself out a Hall of Fame career.  The way he carried himself as a pro, the way he appreciated everything that came to him and the way he loved the game are things that he has taught the young players that have come behind him. We have seen the calibre of baseball in Canada, and specifically Ontario, improve and flourish over the past 15-20 years and guys like Joey and the legacy he has left, have played a huge role in that". _ Scott Ballantyne (Kincardine, Ont.), former Laurier University coach, Ontario Nationals.

“I will remember Joey Votto as one of the best hitters of his generation. He by far had the best strike zone judgement during his time and perhaps is one of the most interesting humans to ever play this game. He is pretty funny as well. One time the Jays were in Cincinnati and I reached first base. Someone took a picture of two guys that wore the same number (19), that people referred to as “Joey” and had Canadian ties while both standing on first. Doesn't happen every day, does it?” _ Jose Bautista, two-time major-league home run leader, who played 15 years in the majors and is the latest name on the Blue Jays Level of Excellence.

“When Joe would work out at Pro Teach, he always had time to stop and talk to the young kids who were working out. He was more than happy to sign whatever the kids asked for. Joe also allowed kids to partake in the hitting and fielding drills he was doing. He probably didn’t realize at the time how big an impact he was making on young, impressionable athletes.What you saw on the field is what you saw in real life. Good person and consummate professional.” _ Denny Berni (Etobicoke, Ont.), Pro-Teach Baseball.

“I would say that three of my most memorable happenings with Joey would be:

“No. 1. _ Joey and I used to spend a large amount of time in the video room, sometimes figuring stuff out, other times just hanging with Rob Coughlin and Jeff Graupe. One day I walked into the room and Joey was there holding one sheet of paper in each hand, studying each of them pretty intensely. So much so that I asked what in the hell he was looking so hard at. He proceeds to tell me he’s looking at two different seasons he had, one of them being his 2010 MVP season and if memory serves me, a shortened 2012 season that consisted of a .474 OBP. I ask why he’s digging so deeply into each season and he told me he was trying to decide which 'type' of player he wanted to be moving forward. He explained that in 2010 he felt he 'took more chances' that caused more unnecessary outs, and as he aged that style of offense would prove harder to sustain. The 2012 season to him was much more efficient and overall he made less outs while still getting to exceptional numbers overall. That was probably the day that I realized that he was truly playing a different game than almost anyone in the league. I was blown away that he could sit there and legitimately decide the type of offensive player he wanted to be moving forward. Incredible stuff.

“No. 2. Every year when Joey came in to spring training, he was very methodical and measured with his approach to getting ready for the season. There wasn’t anyone better at preparing for the season, but to be honest, the performance, or lack thereof, raised some eyebrows. The best part of it was that he knew EXACTLY the time it took to get himself ready for opening day, and he and I would discuss it often. He’d randomly tell me “on March X I’ll be ready” and I’m sitting there thinking …huh? How do you know so confidently when you’ll be ready? With that being said, I believed him. One day we head over to Peoria to play the San Diego Padres and Heath Bell comes in to pitch. Joey comes up to me and says “I’m about to foul as many balls off as I can”. He walks up there and proceeds to fouls off six or seven pitches then proceeds to hit a home run. It was such a crazy thing to watch but I also wasn’t surprised.

“No. 3. Joey and I came up together; but him being almost four years older than me and with the level of dedication and work ethic he had, he kind of turned into a big brother/accountability partner. Our styles of approaching the game were different. His was much more calculated and process oriented, focusing on the minute things that proved to be extremely important when it came to being able to have a swing/game that he could trust on a daily basis. My style was more natural, less granular and not at all routine oriented as a young player. One day in 2009, and I’ll never ever forget this, he came to me in between BP rounds and basically told me that my effort and attention to detail in batting practice was terrible and there’s no way I could expect any type of consistency if I continued to approached my preparation the way I had been. That conversation and a lot of talking with Scott Rolen made me realize that I had to make a change, and watching how those two worked made it extremely easy to buy into. I am forever grateful for that conversation, and that he cared enough to come to me and be honest about something he was seeing, and I truly believe that changed my career.” _ Jay Bruce, who played 14 years in the majors – nine as Votto's teammate.

“I do not know Votto personally, but from the outside, you can tell he was very disciplined. He knew the strike zone very well and was not willing to expend. He stayed with his plan. Looking for his pitch, in his zone to do damage. Otherwise, he would take a walk. Pretty remarkable that he did that for such a long time. He had a great career.” _ Carlos Delgado, Blue Jays Level of Excellence, who knew a thing or two about hitting.

"When you think about Canadian baseball, Joey Votto is right up there with Fergie Jenkins and Larry Walker. He has had a tremendous career and made the absolute most of his opportunities. Thank you Joey!!.” _ Rob Ducey, who played 13 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos and California Angels, now coaching high school ball in New Port Richey, Fla.

“Joey is a legend and deserves all of the accolades and praise we can provide. It was great how much Joey gave back to the org, especially when Whitey Breitner was sick and later passed away. To this day, Joey is the only player from a visiting team to have caught a ceremonial first pitch at the SkyDome. The story has been written how he funded our new jerseys in 2017 on the condition that we did something positive for the community. We stepped up (because of him) and coached the Etobicoke Eagles Special Olympics baseball team. Very cool.

“I'll always remember how proud Joey was to be a part of the Etobicoke Rangers family and how that made the current players and alumni feel. I remember a specific Friday when Joey (while eating an apple) did an interview about buying Zack Cozart a donkey if he made the all-star team. In the interview, Joey was wearing an old Rangers T-shirt. I can't tell you how much the boys were buzzing that Friday night at Connorvale because of it. To see that someone of Joey's calibre knew how special the Rangers were gave us an unbelievable amount of swagger and definitely contributed to our success over the years. The last time I saw Joey, I told him how proud we all were of him, which holds even more truth today. He's an inspiration, on and off the field, and we are so privileged to have him as a part of the Ranger fraternity.” _ AJ Iafrate (Etobicoke, Ont.) former Etobicoke Ranger.

“In 2006, I managed the World Team against Team USA – managed by the late Gary Carter – at the Futures Game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Joey (who was at double-A Chattanooga) played first for us and I remember him having at least one base hit. I could tell he had a great future. He ended up being a bases-on-balls hitter. He got out of his career what he put into it, He will be the next Canadian inducted into Cooperstown. I think about my old teammate Ron Santo who had to wait 14 years before he was inducted. No one took Ron Santo's job. And no one took Joey's job. What did he play 17 years? We lost that Futures Game 8-5, but Joey showed great potential.” _ Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.), pitched 19 years in the majors with the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, Hall of Fame, class of 1991. (George Kottaras, another former Etobicoke Ranger doubled and homered that day).

“I'm proud to be from the same vicinity as Joey Votto. When he was in grade 13, I was in grade 12 and we were both catchers. I was known as a catch-and-throw defensive guy ... meanwhile Joey is hitting the ball into the third and fourth deck. When we went to a private workout for the Blue Jays, I thought I have no chance – zero – of getting drafted. (Votto was selected in the second round, Leroux in the ninth, but he chose to enroll at Winthrop University). They converted me into a pitcher and so we're working out at The Baseball Zone, Joey sees me and says 'I hear you're a pitcher now and you're going to get drafted. I'll give you $1,000 if you get drafted higher than me.' Joey was still in the minors then. (Leroux was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the seventh round, despite having Tommy John surgery). I faced Joey once when I was with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He flew out to left. But I was more nervous facing him than say any big-time hitter like Albert Pujols. I was facing a Canadian icon and I didn't want to walk him – he was so good at getting a walk. Joey was always very cerebral. He was always giving you insight. He spread bread crumbs and you followed him. He was playing chess, taking up yoga. He was skate boarding. That's Joey.” _ Chris Leroux (Mississauga, Ont.), who pitched parts of four seasons in the majors, Blue Jays broadcaster.

Aidan Luther (Mississauga, Ont.) with Joey Votto at Queensway Park in Etobicoke, Ont., on July 21, 2014.

“I met Joey Votto at Queensway Park in Etobicoke on July 21, 2014 and had my picture with him. I had already been a big fan of Joey due to him being one of the Canadian greats in baseball. A lot of young Canadians wanted to be like Votto as he was a great role model with a funny personality.” _ Aidan Luther (Mississauga, Ont.), Mississauga Majors, 18U.

“I remember him coming in almost every morning around 10am. Getting loose saying hi to everyone, joking around with the kids, playing basketball, soccer, etc, with them. Even helping out in the cages giving hitting tips. He genuinely seemed like he wanted to be like everyone else ... there to get his work in. He liked chatting while he got loose, he would tell a few stories sometimes, or chat about what he was working on. I've seen him a lot the last few years training in the mornings. He is such a professional in how he goes about his preparations for the upcoming season. It was a little sad how it ended, but it wasn't from a lack of trying that is for sure. I think he was looking forward to being part of a playoff run and hitting some big homeruns at the Rogers Center. _ Pro Teach Baseball’s Geoff McCallum, Etobicoke Rangers coach.

“Back around 2000-ish when Joey was 16-17 years old, I used to help Denny Bernyi with his evening indoor classes at the Whitlam Centre, often four out of five weekdays. These were the days before Denny acquired and expanded the indoor facility. Bob Smyth was running it and he was pretty hands-on with Joey working out. This was before the 'after school program' was a thing, like we now have with the Rangers. Bob typically insisted on the door being locked and I'd have to knock to get let in. More often than not when I'd knock, it was Joey opening the door to let me in, as he would have finished his workout before Denny's classes would start. I used to think, 'geez he's in here again?'

“Not many people know of or had access to the teenage, aspiring ball player Joey Votto. Over the years I interacted/crossed paths with Joey in many ways through our common Rangers and Pro Teach affiliations. That could be when he played up a few times with our stacked senior team, helping out at Pro Teach or a very rare meet up for wings with the guys. When I'm asked about Joey, I always find myself wanting to tell people about that teenage Joey. Most of us older than him didn't have access to an indoor centre when we were his age, but it's also true that most of us wouldn't have been in there like he was anyway. People see the final product, the MVP and legendary Cincinnati Red. They don't know how hard he worked and how focused he was at an age where most would rather play ball on a video game after school. While he was clearly blessed with physical attributes that can't be taught, he was not some phenom that was born with what we saw on the big stage. He earned his breaks and every good hop he got. So ... What I'll always remember about Joey is not the man everyone came to know on the big stage. I'll remember the teenager, Joey, who knew where he wanted to go, and was willing to work harder than anyone else to get there.” _ Rob (Bobby) McGee, former Etobicoke Ranger and now a Rangers coach.

Votto played for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Photo: Baseball Canada

“We were teammates for the World Baseball Classic. Joey was taking every second pitch in batting practice, sometimes two or three in a row. He was the first guy that I saw do that in BP. I was taught that if it’s close enough to the strike zone that you help out the BP pitcher and swing. Joey didn’t subscribe to that theory. He wasn’t going to practice swinging at non-strikes. His strike zone discipline was there every time he stepped in the batter's box, whether it was in a game or practice. He worked incredibly hard to control the strike zone and it led to him being one of the best ever at getting on base. He was a great hitter because he worked at being great. What a tremendous career and we will see him in Cooperstown one day with Larry Walker and Fergie Jenkins.” _ Justin Morneau, who played 14 years for the Minnesota Twins, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox, winning the 2006 AL MVP, now a Twins broadcaster and executive.

“What an incredible career. I was really hoping he got called up with Toronto to end his career in front of his hometown fans. I was fortunate enough to grow a relationship with him throughout my career and thankful for the friendship we have. There are times where he would give me advice, he also sent me some bats when I was with the double-A San Antonio Missions 2018. That was extremely thoughtful and very helpful as bats aren’t the easiest or cheapest to get in the minors, so I always try to pay it forward and send players bats or equipment if need be because of his generosity towards me. Everytime we faced each other, whenever he got on first base we would make small talk ... ask how each other were doing. He’d complement my swing or season I’m having and we’d ask how are families are doing, etc etc.. He is a great leader and a player a lot of people look up to as a great Canadian.” _ Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) Cleveland Guardians.

“I have been lucky enough to know Joey Votto since I was five years old. The first time I met Joey was when my dad took me, my aunt Denaire, and Pops (my dad's dad) to Wrigley Field to watch the Reds play the Cubs. Joey had us down on the field for batting practice. He treated me like we had known each other for years. He talked to us between rounds of BP and even asked me which street, Waveland or Sheffield, he wanted me to hit a ball onto. After he was finished, he gave me his batting gloves and we took a picture that I still have framed in my room back home.

“Joey was kind enough to have us down for several Reds games through out his career and the more we went, the more Joey transformed from mythical, to idol, to friend and mentor. When I was eight, Joey invited me and my dad to come watch him in New York at the 2013 All Star Game. My dad was unable to take me because he had NBA Summer League duty. Joey asked if my pops would bring me and he did. Joey took care of everything. We got to stay at the players' hotel, go to dinner with Joey and his family, go to the All Star parade, the Home Run Derby and All Start Game. We even got to ride on the family bus to and from the event. My pops and I talk about the experience.

“When I was 10 years old, my pops was coaching at Arizona State University in Tempe. We went to watch their opening weekend against Oklahoma State. While there, Joey invited us to Reds spring training in Goodyear. Upon arrival, Joey took me out on the field with him. I got to be on the field for BP and went station to station with Joey's group. I got to play catch with Joey, field when Billy Hamilton and Joey were doing bunting drills and afterward we went to cages to watch Joey do take extra BP when everyone else was done for the day. There is a reason he was one of the best players and hitters of his era, no one out worked him.

“When I was 11 years old, the Reds were in Denver, where I was living, to play the Rockies. Joey told my dad to bring me down to Coors Field early in the afternoon and to bring my bat. When we got to the park, Joey took me thru the visitor's dugout to the batting cage. Joey spent the next 30 minutes watching me hit, putting me thru different hitting drills and essentially gave me a free hitting lesson. Later in the weekend, my team, the 3n2 Warriors was playing in the championship of a tournament at 10am. It was about the fifth inning when I look over and Joey was standing with my dad along the fence watching my team compete. After we won the game, Joey stayed around to take a picture with us and sign every autograph request.

“About a year later, my 3n2 Warriors team was playing in a Phoenix Area tournament around the time spring training was starting. Joey found out from my dad, who was in the middle of his NBA season, where we were playing. Again, I look over and see Joey, this time with his dog, Maris, standing next to our dugout. He must be good luck for us, because we won again and this time we got to not only take pictures with Joey but Maris joined us on the field as well.

“As I got older and my schedule got busier, I only got to see Joey about once a summer. But my contact with Joey increased. He would reach out to see how I was doing and always gave me great advice about hitting and baseball. He would have my dad send him video of my game swings and he would take the time to put them down in a manner you cannot imagine how much detail and thorough explanation of what I was doing and where I could improve.

“This past spring, my Northville High School team went to IMG Academy for our spring trip. While there, I went to work out for several major-league clubs who had facilities close to IMG. One of the teams I went to go workout for was the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. My mom and I headed into the facility and Joey was there waiting to meet us. Joey spent our entire visit with us and watched me workout while catching up with my mom. It meant a lot to not only have him there to support me, but know he genuinely cares about me and my whole family.

“I got a text from Joey wishing me luck in my journey after I got drafted. Not many people get to meet their baseball idol in person, I am one of the lucky ones who is fortunate enough to call my baseball idol my friend. Thank you for everything Joey, you gave me the blueprint on how to achieve my goal of becoming a professional baseball player. More importantly, you taught me how to treat people right and be a positive role model for young kids.” _ Toronto-born Dante Nori, who was a first-round choice of the Philadelphia Phillies (275th overall, who signed for $2.5 million and is the son of former Toronto Raptors scout and assistant coach Micah Nori, now of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“I guess I will always remember the day Joey worked out at Bob Smythe’s facility in Etobicoke. All the Canadian scouts were there with a few US college coaches. On that day Joey worked out as a catcher. Nothing special was happening  arm was OK and his blocking so so. Its when he started to hit that he opened a lot of eyes .Even after that no one paid him a compliment. We were all in ;imbo. With the exception of one scout John Castleberry who made us look like a bunch of amateurs. When it was all over Walt Burrows (director of Canadian arm of the major-league scouting bureau) said to me “are we losing it don’t we know what to look for in a player.” On that day we were all destroyed by Castleberry. We all learned a good lesson on that  day. I believe this  day made better scouts out 0f us. We know look at a player more seriously.” _ Claude Pelletier )Ste-Lazare, Que., former New York Mets/Los Angeles Dodgers Canadian scout.

“I wouldn't say I know Joey at all … I met him when the Reds played the Blue Jays in an exhibition game in Montreal several years ago when I was working radio. I think his impact on Canadian baseball is similar to the impact on the game of baseball in general. He almost seems like a pioneer for the value of getting on base… and the unique ability to do that AND hit for power…wow.” _ Joe Siddall, (Windsor, Ont.) who played parts of four seasons in the majors, Blue Jays broadcaster.

“I may not be the most qualified to contribute to a story on Joey Votto, as I never interacted with him in person. I do remember watching baseball with my Dad (Tim) and he told me that Joey Votto never pulled balls foul.” _ Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC), Cleveland Guardians reliever and rookie of the year candidate.

"I congratulated Joey when I talked to him after he made his decision. He knew when it was time to call it quits. I'm very proud of him. Everyone gives me credit, But if I'm such a good coach why didn't I produce 15 major-leaguers who played 17 years? Joey was special. He used to hit in my facility for hours. He wasn't the best player on our team in grade 11, but he most certainly had the best work ethic of anyone I ever coached. He was driven. He deserves all the credit. That shoulder injury he had in 2022 really affected him. People have asked me what he's going to do now. What's he going to do? Anything he wants to .... I know he likes going to Spain. I know he still loves the game. I'd hire him." _ Bob Smyth (Ladysmith, BC) , Votto's coach and mentor with the Etobicoke Rangers.

“I really don't know Joey but you may remember, the high school kid who would have a key to Bobby Smyth's place and head over after school, take swings and hit a tire on a metal pole in the ground, 100s of time from what I was told. And most of time he was walking out with the GTA Stars were walking into the place.” _ MIke Steed (Burlington, Ont.), pitching coach Atlanta Braves organization, former GTA Stars coach.

“In my job I am very protective of what I say about players, coaches, and managers but I will tell you is how fortunate I was to spend eight months a year for the past 17 years with Joey. Everything he did was to compete and be the best ball player he could be … whether it was eating, sleeping, hitting in cages, hitting on field, taking grounders at first , working out, stretching … I tell all other equipment managers that my wish for them is to have a player come through their organizations once in their careers like Joey was for me. I was blessed.” _ Rick Stowe, Cincinnati Reds equipment manager.

“He's a sure shot, first ballot HOF famer, but he won't get in his first year of eligibility. Why? Because a lot of writers don't vote for guys their first time on the ballot. It's amazing how people complain about guys when they retire. I remember people did the same with Andre Dawson. For the length of his career, Votto belongs in Cooperstown. He was an MVP. And it wasn't just 2010, he was in the discussion often (seven years in the top 10 of MVP voting). I know he didn't finish with a .300 average, but he was close. I saw my broadcast partner. Duke Snider, wait 11 years The young writers now seem to have the approach if they didn't see the guy they aren't voting for him. A lot of young writers saw Joey Votto.

“He is a HOF ... eventually. For me he is a HOFer today, five years from now, 10 or 20 years from now.” _ Dave Van Horne, former Montreal Expos and Miami Marlins broadcaster, 2011 Ford C. Frick winner.

“It seemed to me that it didn’t matter who was pitching against him, whether it was a right hander or a left-hander. You’d have to check it out (.951 OPS vs. RHPs, .852 OPS vs. LHPs). I don’t think it really mattered. I never saw him, but they said Stan Musial was the same way. I don’t think I ever saw him hit a homer 480 feet, but he hit enough of them. He was a great player, a team player and he wasn’t a hot head. Oh, he got kicked out a few times, but that’s baseball … heat of the moment. It happens.” _ Joe West, former umpire who worked a record 43 seasons and 5,460 games.