(Toronto) Canadian Joey Votto announced his retirement from major league baseball on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old first baseman made the announcement on Instagram.
“That’s it. It’s over,” Votto said in a video. “I’m officially retiring from baseball.”
Votto played 17 seasons in the major leagues, being invited to the All-Star Game six times. He won a Gold Glove and a National League MVP award in 2010.
After playing his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds, the Toronto native agreed to a minor league contract with the Blue Jays this year.
Votto homered off Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler in his only at-bat of training camp on March 17 before skipping his turn moments later with an injury that sidelined him for three months.
He hit a long ball, drove in four runs and had a .143 batting average in 15 games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season. He was never recalled by the Blue Jays.
“Toronto and Canada, I wanted to play for you. I tried with all my heart to play for you. I’m just not good enough anymore,” Votto wrote in his message, thanking his parents, brother and former teammates and coaches.
“Thank you for your support in this attempt.”
The Blue Jays hosted the Reds for the third and final game of a series on Wednesday.
Drafted in the second round by the Reds in 2002, Votto has a career average of .294 with 356 home runs and 1,444 RBIs in 2,056 games.
He had his best season in 2010 with 37 home runs. He also hit 36 in 2017 and 2021.
A shoulder injury limited him to 65 games for the Reds last season.
“To the fans of Major League Baseball. You gave me energy with your cheers. I loved the boos and the taunts, the times I ruined the moments of the visiting teams or when I was put in my place,” Votto wrote.
“I’ll never forget, early in my career, my first time at Wrigley Field and the crowd standing to celebrate my failure. I remember standing at the plate, smiling, and thinking that I belonged there.”