It wasn’t the ending fans wanted, so it’s one they’re not going to get.
Six-time All-Star first baseman Joey Votto confirmed on The Dan Patrick Show Friday that he plans to return in 2024 for at least one more season.
“I want to play again…at least one more year,” Votto said.
Joey Votto says he wants to play "at least one more year", whether that be with the Reds or another MLB team.
"The last couple years were crumby. I wasn't healthy for 2 years, so I'd like to play well. It's not the taste I want to leave in my mouth."@JoeyVotto #Reds #MLB pic.twitter.com/FCJeFAEj7v
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) October 6, 2023
Dan Patrick scared the you-know-what out of many when DP introduced him as the guy who would be retiring soon.
Here’s how the MLB world reacted:
Epic Joey Votto. He still bangs, FYI.
— Nuts (@Nuts4xu) October 6, 2023
He does indeed, still bang, but he also faces a unique offseason. His 10-year, $225,000,000 contract was in its final season in 2023.
you cannot let Joey Votto finish his last year on a different team… I don't care what it costs https://t.co/mhFErZ9DaL
— Chatteryy (@Chatteryy) October 6, 2023
Votto also said he wants to play for the team again, but is open to another opportunity with the club if the Reds decide to move on.
Imagine having his farewell tour on another team.
The Reds did nothing to celebrate his career at the end of the season, they’re 100% bringing him back for one last tour
— JSN RDG (@CincyToLondon) October 6, 2023
Please Reds do the right thing.
— dylan (@dpyckles) October 6, 2023
This was more of a significant answer following a unique possible finale. The 40-year-old was ejected in the second inning of last Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Joey Votto got ejected after the first inning in potentially his final MLB game pic.twitter.com/nTIeNNO637
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 1, 2023
There’s no way that would be it, right?
It left many wondering if that would be his final game of his career, and Votto later told reporters, including MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon.
“As far as my future, my individual future, I’m still not there yet,” Votto said. “I have been praised and given so much attention this last stretch, I’ve been conflicted in that I’ve appreciated it and I recognize it and I’m grateful for it. But then there is the competitive side of me that’s like, ‘Just let me compete today.’ I don’t want to distract myself with anything but today’s competition [or], ‘How can I help the team? How can I help push us forward towards a playoff berth?’ A lot has happened at once. I recognize the support. I recognize the interest, but I just don’t have an answer yet. We’ll see.”
We hope to see Votto back in 2024, and hopefully during his farewell tour, he’s sporting Reds gear.
