‘That’s it, I’m done.’ Blue Jays’ Joey Votto announces retirement from baseball

Joey Votto, who signed with the Blue Jays in the off-season in an attempt to finish his career close to home in Toronto, announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old potential Hall of Famer had been playing regularly with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons for the better part of two weeks.
Votto’s unexpected announcement came minutes before the Blue Jays hosted the Cincinnati Reds, where the Etobicoke native spent the first 17 years of his career and won a National League MVP.
“That’s it, I’m done. I am officially retired from baseball,” Votto said in a video posted on Instagram, where he stood in a parking lot with the Bisons’ Sahlen Field in the background.
In March, the Blue Jays gave Votto a minor-league deal after the Reds declined his $20-million (U.S.) option after last season.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work my way back to the Major Leagues,” Votto said on X after he signed. “It’s even sweeter to attempt this while wearing the uniform of my hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays.”
But after his only spring training at-bat, Votto sustained a serious ankle injury when he slipped on a bat in the dugout after hitting a home run.
In July, Votto was ready to make his debut with the Jays’ Triple-A team, but he rolled his ankle during a pre-game workout and was scratched from the lineup, further delaying his return.
When he was finally healthy enough to compete, the six-time all-star hit .143 with one home run in 15 games with the Bisons.
In a light-hearted Instagram post, Votto had some fun at his own expense after thanking his family, coaches and former teammates.
“Toronto + Canada, I wanted to play in front of you. Sigh, I tried with all my heart to play for my people,” he wrote. “I’m just not good anymore. Thank you for all the support during my attempt.”
Votto finishes an impressive baseball career that included a Gold Glove (2011) and Lou Marsh Trophy (2017) with a .294 batting-average, .409 on-base percentage and 356 home runs in 2,056 games.