Joey Votto is a Canadian professional baseball player who has spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. He was born on September 10, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Votto began his baseball career in high school, where he played for Richview Collegiate Institute in Toronto. He was later drafted by the Reds in the second round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.
Votto made his Major League debut with the Reds in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the team's top players. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2008 after hitting .297 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs. Votto continued to improve over the next few seasons, earning his first All-Star selection in 2010 and winning the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2010 and 2017.
Throughout his career, Votto has been known for his exceptional hitting ability. He has a career batting average of .304 and has hit over 30 home runs in a season four times. Votto is also known for his patience at the plate, as he has led the National League in walks five times and has a career on-base percentage of .417.
In addition to his hitting, Votto is also a skilled defensive player. He has won the National League Gold Glove award at first base once and has been a finalist for the award several other times.
Off the field, Votto is known for his charitable work. He has been involved with a number of organizations, including the Reds Community Fund and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2020, Votto donated $1 million to support Canadian COVID-19 relief efforts.
Despite his individual success, Votto has yet to win a World Series with the Reds. The team has made the playoffs five times during his career but has not advanced past the National League Division Series. However, Votto remains committed to the team and has expressed his desire to help bring a championship to Cincinnati.
Overall, Joey Votto is one of the most accomplished players in Cincinnati Reds history. He has been named to the All-Star team six times, won two National League MVP awards, and has established himself as one of the best hitters in the game. With several years left in his career, Votto will continue to be a key player for the Reds and a fan favorite in Cincinnati.
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