‘Cincinnati, I’ve only played for you. I love you’ — Joey Votto announces retirement from baseball

Votto, 40, played his entire big-league career with the Reds. He hit a career-worst .202 in 2023 with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs in 65 games.

Votto ranks first in Reds history in walks (1,365) second in in home runs (356) and on-base percentage (.409), third in RBIs (1,144) fifth in hits (2,135) and sixth in games played (2,056).

Votto said last October he wanted to play at least one more season. In March, he joined the Toronto Blue Jays in spring training as a non-roster invite.

Votto hit .165 in 31 games this season with three different Blue Jays minor league teams.

On Instagram, thanked his parents and brother, among others. He told Blue Jays fans, “I wanted to play in front of you. Sigh, I tried with all my heart to play for my people. I’m just not good anymore. Thank you for all the support during my attempt.

Then Votto thanked Cincinnati and Major League Baseball fans. He wrote, “Cincinnati, I’ve only played for you. I love you. Finally, to the MLB fans. You energized me with your cheers, I loved the boos, the trash talk, the moments where I broke a road city’s moment or was humbled on stage.

“I’ll never forget, early in my career, my first time at Wrigley Field and the crowd standing and cheering toward my failure. I remember standing at the plate, smiling and thinking, this is my home. I belong here. I was myself in this sport. I was able to be my best self. I played this sport with every last ounce of my body, heart and mind. Thank you for everything.”