Former MVP Joey Votto recently announced his intention to play an 18th MLB season, bringing out some naysayers who believe he should walk away from the game.
Votto, being the pop-culture guru he is, used the red-hot Taylor Swift to send a cheeky response to those telling him to “hang ’em up.”
If Votto’s trademark jokester approach to the situation didn’t give it away, he’s not likely to budge on his desire to play at least one more year of professional baseball.
Earlier on Friday, during an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show,” Votto made it clear that he intends to play in 2024. While players in the past have held on too long for all the wrong reasons, it’s hard to argue with Votto’s reasoning. Dealing with injuries, Votto has played only 156 games over the past two seasons. With that in mind, the 39-year-old wants the chance to play while healthy and end things on his terms.
What remains unclear is whether he’ll play the final game of his career in a Reds uniform. Votto’s contract includes a club option for 2024, but the Reds may be ready to move on, especially if the first baseman is no longer contributing.
If this is it for Votto’s time with the Reds, he put together one heck of a career with Cincy. A six-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove Award winner, Votto has also played 2,056 MLB games, the most ever by a player born in Canada.
It’d be nice to see Votto walk into retirement wearing the uniform of the only team he’s ever represented since being selected by the Reds in the 2nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft. However, if that’s not the case, at least baseball fans can head into this offseason knowing they haven’t seen the last of the Canadian slugger.
The 2023 campaign was one of the worst of Votto’s 17-year career, playing 65 games, slashing .202/.314/.433 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI. So, hopefully, wherever he lands, he’ll get a chance to improve on those numbers during his last hurrah.
