Joey Votto’s Homecoming: Pursuing History with the Toronto Blue Jays

Joey Votto, a Toronto native, has kept his MLB career alive by signing with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, presenting himself with the opportunity to create some significant history with his hometown team.

Currently ranking second all-time among Canadian-born MLB players with 2,135 career hits, Votto is within striking distance of breaking Larry Walker’s record of 2,160 hits, as highlighted by MLB Network insider Jon Morosi.

During his illustrious 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Votto earned six All-Star selections and secured the NL MVP award once. Additionally, he represented Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic.

While Votto’s batting average has experienced a decline in recent years, dropping to .240 over the last five seasons, he remains a formidable presence at the plate. Even in 2023, where he recorded a career-low .202 average, Votto managed to accumulate 42 hits in just 65 games.

If Votto impresses during Spring Training and secures a spot on the Opening Day roster, he could potentially achieve the milestone of becoming Canada’s all-time hits leader while donning the Blue Jays uniform.

Furthermore, Votto’s remarkable career trajectory positions him as a likely candidate for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, alongside fellow Canadian greats Larry Walker and Fergie Jenkins. Despite challenges from other active players like Freddie Freeman, who trails Votto by just 21 hits, Votto’s legacy in the MLB is secure, and his impact on the sport transcends national boundaries.