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The thought of Joey Votto donning a Blue Jays jersey with his former team providing the opposition was almost too good to believe.
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When Cincinnati came to town Monday to begin a three-game series at Rogers Centre, many held out hope that the Etobicoke native would suddenly be called up from the minors.
Votto never did appear for any of the three games and he won’t appear for any team following his sudden, but perhaps expected retirement.
He made the announcement just moments before Wednesday night’s first pitch.
While not as fitting as a return against the only big-league team Votto has known, in some ways it did seem appropriate because Cincinnati was in town.
Even if the Reds weren’t about to close out their stay in Toronto, news of Votto’s retirement would have generated the attention it deserved.
Because it was the Reds who were in town, it only added to the news.
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“That’s it. I’m done. I am officially retired from baseball.” the Canadian announced via his Instagram that he is retiring.
Next stop Cooperstown as baseball’s hallowed halls will one day feature Votto.
Votto, 40, made the announcement during a nine-second video shot at Buffalo’s Sahlen Field, home of the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate.
Whether one cares to describe it as begging or merely pleading for an opportunity, the Jays did answer Votto’s call and signed him to a minor-league contract with the club prior to the start of the 2024 season.
Almost from the very beginning, Votto seemed to be cursed, tweaking his ankle during his very first spring training game.
He never fully recovered and would hit additional road blocks in the ensuing months.
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In the end, it was simply not meant to be, though he did give it a shot.
Votto’s entire MLB career was with the Reds, a distinguished run of 17 seasons.
Many thought Votto’s closing chapter would have involved playing with his home-town team against the team that helped usher in his career.
He struggled to stay healthy, primarily due to a wonky ankle, and struggled to find his groove at the plate.
In terms of merit, a possible callup was not warranted, but the storyline, even if it was the stuff of fantasy, was too appealing.
With the Bisons, Votto was hitting .143 in 15 games.
“Toronto + Canada, 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,” he wrote on Instagram.
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When Votto reached baseball’s elite level, he was among the game’s best.
With the Reds, Votto was a six-time all-star and was named NL MVP in 2010.
The memories of Votto are forever etched.
Sadly, none will be part of Blue Jays lore.
He did appear in a game with the Blue Jays, but it came back on March 17 in Clearwater, Fla., when Votto hit a home run on the very first pitch he saw.
Technically, he hit it wearing a Blue Jays uniform, but it came during spring training.
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