Votto sets record for most games by Canadian-born player

CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto is already one of the best baseball players to ever come out of Canada. On Sunday as his team played the Cubs, the Reds first baseman set a new benchmark for Canadians in the game.

During Cincinnati's 8-5 win, the Etobicoke, Ontatio native played in his 1,989th career game, passing Hall of Famer Larry Walker for most Major League games for a player born in Canada.

Behind Votto and Walker in the rankings are Matt Stairs (1,895), Russell Martin (1,693) and Justin Morneau (1,545).

Votto, who was 0-for-5 in the game, received a plaque to commemorate the occasion from a representative of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Votto, 38, noted earlier this week that reaching his milestone 2,000th Major League game played would have "real meaning" to him. He currently ranks fifth all time in Reds franchise history in games played behind Pete Rose (2,722), Dave Concepcion (2,488), Barry Larkin (2,180) and Johnny Bench (2,158).

On Sept. 4, 2007, Votto made his big league debut as a pinch-hitter vs. the Mets and struck out. The following day during his first start, he slugged the first home run of his career against pitcher John Maine.

Over his career, Votto is a six-time All-Star, the 2010 National League MVP and a 2011 NL Gold Glove Award winner. Votto is the only baseball player to twice win the Lou Marsh Trophy, presented annually to Canada’s top athlete. He’s also won the Tip O’Neill Award seven times as the best Canadian baseball player, and he’s one of three players -- including Walker -- to win the MVP and Tip O’Neill Awards in the same year.