Former MVP Joey Votto not too long ago introduced his intention to play an 18th MLB season, bringing out some naysayers who imagine he ought to stroll away from the sport.
Votto, being the pop-culture guru he’s, used the red-hot Taylor Swift to ship a cheeky response to these telling him to “cling ’em up.”
If Votto’s trademark jokester strategy to the scenario did not give it away, he is not more likely to budge on his want to play no less than yet one more 12 months {of professional} baseball.
Earlier on Friday, throughout an look on the “Dan Patrick Present,” Votto made it clear that he intends to play in 2024. Whereas gamers up to now have held on too lengthy for all of the flawed causes, it is exhausting to argue with Votto’s reasoning. Coping with accidents, Votto has performed solely 156 video games over the previous two seasons. With that in thoughts, the 39-year-old desires the prospect to play whereas wholesome and finish issues on his phrases.
What stays unclear is whether or not he’ll play the ultimate sport of his profession in a Reds uniform. Votto’s contract features a membership possibility for 2024, however the Reds could also be prepared to maneuver on, particularly if the primary baseman is not contributing.
If that is it for Votto’s time with the Reds, he put collectively one heck of a profession with Cincy. A six-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove Award winner, Votto has additionally performed 2,056 MLB video games, essentially the most ever by a participant born in Canada.
It would be good to see Votto stroll into retirement carrying the uniform of the one staff he is ever represented since being chosen by the Reds within the 2nd spherical of the 2002 MLB Draft. Nonetheless, if that is not the case, no less than baseball followers can head into this offseason realizing they have not seen the final of the Canadian slugger.
The 2023 marketing campaign was one of many worst of Votto’s 17-year profession, enjoying 65 video games, slashing .202/.314/.433 with 14 residence runs and 38 RBI. So, hopefully, wherever he lands, he’ll get an opportunity to enhance on these numbers throughout his final hurrah.
