Hey there, baseball fans—or maybe you’re just curious about one of the game’s quiet legends. If you’ve ever tuned into a Cincinnati Reds game and watched a guy at first base who seems to see the ball coming a mile away, that’s Joey Votto Career Stats for you. Born in Toronto, Canada, on September 10, 1983, Joey didn’t just play baseball; he turned it into an art form. Over 17 seasons, all with the Reds, he racked up numbers that make you nod in appreciation. We’re talking 2,135 hits, 356 home runs, and a batting average that hovered around .294—like a reliable old friend who shows up every summer.
In this article, we’ll stroll through Joey’s journey, from his early days dodging curveballs in the minors to those epic MVP moments that had fans chanting his name. I’ll keep it straightforward, like chatting over a hot dog at the ballpark—no jargon overload, just the good stuff. And right in the heart of it? A full table of his career stats, broken down year by year, so you can see how the magic unfolded. Whether you’re a kid dreaming of the big leagues or a grandparent reminiscing about the greats, this is Joey Votto, unfiltered and unforgettable.
From Canadian Ice to Hot Corner: Joey’s Humble Beginnings
Picture this: a lanky kid from Etobicoke, Ontario, trading hockey sticks for baseball bats. Joey grew up idolizing the likes of Tony Gwynn and Ken Griffey Jr., but baseball wasn’t exactly booming in Canada back then. Still, he poured his heart into it, starring at Richview Collegiate Institute. His big break came in 2002 when the Cincinnati Reds scooped him up in the second round of the MLB Draft, 44th overall. Not bad for a guy who could have been curling with the pros up north!
Votto’s minor league days were a grind, but man, did they build character. He bounced around positions—third base, catcher, even left field—before settling in at first base, where his glove became as steady as his swing. In 2002, he hit the ground running with the Gulf Coast League Reds, batting .253 in 50 games. By 2004, he was crushing it in Single-A Dayton, smacking 26 doubles and 14 homers with a .302 average. That year, he called the Billings Mustangs his “favorite stop,” where he batted .317 and helped them snag a Pioneer League championship. It was the only title of his career, but it lit a fire.
Fast forward to September 4, 2007—Joey’s MLB debut. At 23, he stepped into Great American Ball Park against the New York Mets and went 2-for-4 with a double. In just 24 games that September, he hit .321 with four homers. It was a teaser trailer for the blockbuster ahead. Little did Reds fans know, they’d just gotten a Canadian gift that kept on giving.
The Rookie Who Became a Star: Early Years and That 2010 MVP Magic
Joey’s full rookie season in 2008 was like watching a young thoroughbred find its stride. He played 151 games, batting .297 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs. That earned him second place in National League Rookie of the Year voting—pretty solid for a guy adjusting to the majors. But 2009? That’s when heads turned. Batting .322 with 25 dingers, he finished 22nd in MVP balloting and helped the Reds flirt with the playoffs.
Then came 2010, the year Joey etched his name in the stars. At 26, he was a force: .324 average, 37 home runs, 113 RBIs, and a league-leading 1.024 OPS. He walked 91 times, stole 16 bases, and powered the Reds to their first playoff appearance since 1995. The city of Cincinnati went nuts—parades, chants, the works. When the MVP trophy landed in his hands, Joey dedicated it to his late grandfathers, tears in his eyes during the presser. “This is for the underdogs,” he said. Humble as ever.
The playoffs that year were bittersweet. The Reds swept the Phillies in the NLDS, with Joey homering in Game 1. But they fell to the Giants in the NLCS. Still, at .318 in the postseason, Votto proved he could handle October heat. It was the start of a stretch where he was the NL’s best hitter, year after year.
Peak Votto: Dominating the National League Like a Boss
From 2011 to 2017, Joey Votto wasn’t just playing baseball—he was rewriting the rulebook on patience at the plate. We’re talking six All-Star nods, a Gold Glove in 2011, and OPS marks that would make Ted Williams jealous. In 2011, he hit .309 with 29 homers and 110 walks, finishing sixth in MVP voting. That Gold Glove? He led NL first basemen with a 10.0 defensive WAR, turning double plays like a magician.
2012 was quirky—injured early, he came back roaring with a .337 average and 1.041 OPS in just 111 games, snagging 14th in MVP. But 2013 showed his iron man side: 162 games, 177 hits, and 135 walks, batting .305. He was a walking (pun intended) nightmare for pitchers.
Injuries tried to slow him in 2014—a quad strain sidelined him for 99 games—but Joey bounced back fiercer. 2015: .314, 29 homers, .459 OBP. 2016: .326, 29 dingers, .434 OBP. And 2017? Peak perfection. He slashed .320/.454/.578 with 36 homers and 100 RBIs, finishing second in MVP voting by just two points to Giancarlo Stanton. That year, he set a Reds record with 134 walks. Managers voted him the NL’s best hitter for the umpteenth time. Votto’s secret? “See the ball, hit the ball—but wait for your pitch,” he’d say with a grin.
Through it all, Joey was a leader. He mentored young guns like Eugenio Suárez and mentored fans with his witty Twitter game (now X). Remember his “Who?” nickname? It stuck after a broadcaster blanked on his name—Joey owned it like a champ.
The Inevitable Fade: Injuries, Resilience, and a Graceful Exit
Baseball’s tough on the body, and by 2018, Father Time whispered in Joey’s ear. He still made the All-Star team, batting .284 with a .417 OBP, but the power dipped to 12 homers. 2019 brought more of the same: .261 average, 15 dingers. The shortened 2020 season (thanks, COVID) saw him at .226 but with 11 homers in 54 games—efficiency in a weird year.
Then came the power surge in 2021: 36 homers and 99 RBIs at age 37, batting .266. It was like he’d bottled lightning. But 2022 and 2023? Ouch. Injuries piled up—shoulder, oblique, you name it. In 2022, a .205 average in 91 games. 2023: .202 in 65 games, though he still popped 14 homers. On July 18, 2023, Joey announced his retirement, tearfully thanking the Reds and fans. “It’s time,” he said. “But what a ride.” He finished with over 2,000 hits, joining Larry Walker as the second Canadian with that milestone, plus 300 homers and 1,000 RBIs.
Post-retirement, Joey’s dipped into broadcasting and charity work, staying true to his roots. He’s got that Canadian politeness, but on the field? Pure fire.
Joey Votto Career Stats: The Numbers That Tell His Story
Alright, let’s get to the meat—the stats. Below is a complete table of Joey Votto’s regular-season batting stats, year by year. It’s easy to scan: columns for games played, hits, homers, that sweet batting average, and more. I’ve included career totals at the bottom. Notice the peaks around 2010-2017? That’s prime-time Votto. And those walk numbers? Elite patience, folks.
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | CIN | 24 | 89 | 84 | 11 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 15 | .321 | .360 | .548 | .907 |
| 2008 | CIN | 151 | 589 | 526 | 69 | 156 | 32 | 3 | 24 | 84 | 7 | 5 | 59 | 102 | .297 | .368 | .506 | .874 |
| 2009 | CIN | 131 | 544 | 469 | 82 | 151 | 38 | 1 | 25 | 84 | 4 | 1 | 70 | 106 | .322 | .414 | .567 | .981 |
| 2010 | CIN | 150 | 648 | 547 | 106 | 177 | 36 | 2 | 37 | 113 | 16 | 5 | 91 | 125 | .324 | .424 | .600 | 1.024 |
| 2011 | CIN | 161 | 719 | 599 | 101 | 185 | 40 | 3 | 29 | 103 | 8 | 6 | 110 | 129 | .309 | .416 | .531 | .947 |
| 2012 | CIN | 111 | 475 | 374 | 59 | 126 | 44 | 0 | 14 | 56 | 5 | 3 | 94 | 85 | .337 | .474 | .567 | 1.041 |
| 2013 | CIN | 162 | 726 | 581 | 101 | 177 | 30 | 3 | 24 | 73 | 6 | 3 | 135 | 138 | .305 | .435 | .491 | .926 |
| 2014 | CIN | 62 | 272 | 220 | 32 | 56 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 47 | 49 | .255 | .390 | .409 | .799 |
| 2015 | CIN | 158 | 695 | 545 | 95 | 171 | 33 | 2 | 29 | 80 | 11 | 3 | 143 | 135 | .314 | .459 | .541 | 1.000 |
| 2016 | CIN | 158 | 677 | 556 | 101 | 181 | 34 | 2 | 29 | 97 | 8 | 1 | 108 | 120 | .326 | .434 | .550 | .985 |
| 2017 | CIN | 162 | 707 | 559 | 106 | 179 | 34 | 1 | 36 | 100 | 5 | 1 | 134 | 83 | .320 | .454 | .578 | 1.032 |
| 2018 | CIN | 145 | 623 | 503 | 67 | 143 | 28 | 2 | 12 | 67 | 2 | 0 | 108 | 101 | .284 | .417 | .419 | .837 |
| 2019 | CIN | 142 | 608 | 525 | 79 | 137 | 32 | 1 | 15 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 76 | 123 | .261 | .357 | .411 | .768 |
| 2020 | CIN | 54 | 223 | 186 | 32 | 42 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 43 | .226 | .354 | .446 | .800 |
| 2021 | CIN | 129 | 533 | 448 | 73 | 119 | 23 | 1 | 36 | 99 | 1 | 0 | 77 | 127 | .266 | .375 | .563 | .938 |
| 2022 | CIN | 91 | 376 | 322 | 31 | 66 | 18 | 1 | 11 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 97 | .205 | .319 | .370 | .689 |
| 2023 | CIN | 65 | 242 | 208 | 26 | 42 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 62 | .202 | .314 | .433 | .747 |
| Career | CIN | 2073 | 10286 | 8682 | 1171 | 2135 | 419 | 19 | 356 | 1024 | 70 | 28 | 1344 | 1636 | .294 | .409 | .511 | .920 |
(Data sourced from Baseball-Reference.com and ESPN.) Quick glossary if needed: G is games played, PA plate appearances, AB at-bats, R runs scored, H hits, 2B doubles, 3B triples, HR home runs, RBI runs batted in, SB stolen bases, CS caught stealing, BB walks, SO strikeouts. BA is batting average (hits per at-bat), OBP on-base percentage (how often he got on base), SLG slugging (power measure), OPS the combo (higher is better—Joey’s .920 is Hall-worthy).
Breaking Down the Stats: What Makes Votto Special?
Zoom in on those numbers, and Joey’s genius shines. His career .409 OBP? That’s top-shelf—he led the NL four times, drawing 1,344 walks while striking out “only” 1,636 times. A walk was as good as a hit to him, and it frustrated pitchers to no end. Power-wise, 356 homers in 8,682 at-bats is efficient; his .511 SLG shows he didn’t just slap singles.
Defensively, that 2011 Gold Glove wasn’t a fluke—his career 10.3 dWAR (defensive wins above replacement) saved countless runs. Speed? Not his game, but 70 steals show he could go first-to-third when needed. And in the clutch? Joey’s OPS jumped to .947 in high-leverage spots.
Compared to peers, Votto’s a disciple of “Moneyball”—value over flash. While guys like Albert Pujols chased milestones, Joey maximized every plate appearance. His 63.6 WAR (wins above replacement) ranks him among the best first basemen of his era, per FanGraphs.
Awards, Accolades, and the Hall of Fame Whisper
Joey’s trophy case sparkles: 2010 NL MVP (unanimous!), runner-up in 2017, six All-Star trips (2010-13, 2015, 2017), and that Gold Glove. He snagged Hank Aaron Award finalist nods twice and led the NL in OBP seven times, hits twice, and walks four times. No World Series ring stings, but his .300 average and two homers in 25 playoff games? Solid.
As for Cooperstown? With 2,000+ hits, 300+ homers, and elite rate stats, Joey’s a strong candidate. Larry Walker got in as a Canadian trailblazer; Votto could follow. Voters love his peak (2010-17: 44.5 WAR) and that .920 OPS. Time will tell, but his plaque feels inevitable.
Joey’s Lasting Impact: Beyond the Box Score
Stats are cool, but Joey Votto Career Stats real legacy? Heart. He battled depression early in his career, opening up about mental health in a sport that often sweeps it under the rug. “It’s okay not to be okay,” he shared, inspiring countless fans. Off the field, he’s a voracious reader (loves Tolstoy), a birdwatcher, and a philanthropist through his Votto Fund, supporting Canadian youth sports.
