Joey Votto's most Votto-iest moments as Reds decline contract option

The Reds and Joey Votto appear to be parting ways after the team announced on Saturday it is passing on the six-time All-Star’s $20 million contract option for next season.

There’s a chance the Reds might make Votto an offer if he becomes a free agent, but the team’s roster of young talent makes the odds of that happening steep.

While Votto’s stats as a player are legendary, so, too, are some of his off-field moments. For fun, we’ve assembled a list of occasions when the six-time All Star made us laugh, scratch our heads or share in the delight of being Joey Votto.

Joey Votto, TikTok star

In 2022, Votto announced that he decided to join social media – much to the delight his fans. He made his debut on TikTok with his rendition of the Goo Goo Dolls' "Name." And let’s not forget his performance of the Griddy dance.

The comedic duo of Joey and Jim

When Votto is interviewed by Reds broadcaster Jim Day, you never know what you’re going to get – other than it’s a safe bet Votto will do some good-natured trolling. Exhibit A: Gym Day with Jim Day.

Oh, Canada

In 2014, Votto donned a Canadian Mountie uniform for an interview with MLB Network. The Reds would later call it “the best interview in the history of baseball.”

Talking smack

Quiet. Polite. Reserved. That’s Votto’s usual demeanor.

But in an interview with MLB Network’s Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, Votto responded to the notion he wasn’t among the active players headed to Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame with an animated rant straight out of the big-time wrestling playbook.

Votto tested the limits of his fandom in Cincinnati when he admitted on Twitter, that he “never … gulp … had it,” when asked for his thoughts on Cincinnati chili.

Votto for President

Joey Votto will give you the jersey off his back – especially if you’re wearing a “Votto for President” t-shirt. A fan at a game in Pittsburgh traded said t-shirt for a Votto jersey at a game in 2018.

All apologies

Votto is a fiece competitor. A Reds fan found that out the hard way when he got tangled up with the Reds first baseman on a catchable foul ball in the seats. Votto stared down the fan and grabbed his t-shirt as if to say “you’re wearing a Reds shirt, and you cost us an out.” Votto, always a class act, would later apologize to the fan.