A version of this story was originally published on Sept. 9, 2023

Joey Votto was a cornerstone for the Reds at first base and placed himself among the franchise’s greats over his long career.

Over 17 seasons, all in Cincinnati, Votto -- who announced his retirement on Wednesday -- racked up 2,135 hits, 459 doubles, 356 homers and 1,144 RBIs. The six-time All-Star and 2010 NL MVP Award winner is also the Reds' all-time leader in walks and ranks in the top five in wins above replacement (WAR) alongside legends such as Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Barry Larkin and Frank Robinson.

Votto authored many incredible moments over the years. Here are a dozen of the most memorable.

1. Three homers with a walk-off grand slam
May 13, 2012

Following a three-hour, 36-minute rain delay before first pitch on Mother’s Day and during a nearly four-hour game, Votto made it all worth the wait for soggy fans. He went 4-for-5 with three home runs -- including a walk-off grand slam for a dramatic come-from-behind 9-6 win over the Nationals at Great American Ball Park.

Votto hit a first-inning, opposite-field solo homer to left field, a solo homer to center field in the fourth and an eighth-inning double to the right-field wall. In the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded, he ended the game with a drive to right-center field against Henry Rodriguez.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Votto became the first player in Major League history to hit three homers and have one of them be a walk-off grand slam in the same game.

2. MVP winner
Nov. 22, 2010

Votto was announced as the winner of the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award. He became the 10th Reds player and third Canadian to win MVP honors while receiving 31 of 32 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

As Cincinnati won the NL Central division for its first playoff berth since 1995, Votto batted .324/.424/.600 with 37 home runs and 113 RBIs. During the year, he was named to his first All-Star Game and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

3. Home run streak reaches seven games
July 30, 2021

In a remarkable stretch of power at 37 years old, Votto slugged a home run in his seventh consecutive game during a 6-2 victory over the Mets at Citi Field. Leading off in the sixth inning against new reliever Drew Smith, Votto lifted a 2-0 fastball to center field for his 21st homer of the season and a 3-1 Cincinnati lead. It was also his ninth homer in seven games.

The following night at New York, Votto missed by inches with a drive off the wall that would have tied the Major League record streak of eight games with a home run held by Ken Griffey Jr. (1993), Don Mattingly (1987) and Dale Long (1956).

4. First hit is a homer
Sept. 5, 2007

Votto made his Major League debut as a pinch-hitter on Sept. 4, 2007, vs. the Mets and struck out. The following day, he started at first base for the first time. In his first at-bat of that game against John Maine, Votto hit a drive to center field for the first hit, home run and RBI of his career.

5. Home run No. 300
April 30, 2021

During an 8-6 win over the Cubs at Great American Ball Park, Votto slugged Jake Arrieta's first-pitch slider off the facing of the Budweiser deck in right field for a two-run homer that gave Cincinnati the lead. It also made Votto the third player in Reds history to reach the 300-home run milestone.

6. 2,000 hits
Aug. 16, 2021

With a three-hit game during the Reds’ 14-5 victory over the Cubs at Great American Ball Park, Votto passed 2,000 career hits and became the fifth member of the franchise to reach that plateau.

In the seventh inning with his team ahead, 4-0, Votto hit a full-count curveball from Michael Rucker for a single to center field to reach the milestone. As the crowd roared, Votto responded while standing on first base by applauding back to the fans and raising his helmet in appreciation.

7. Four hits, first walk-off
July 2, 2009

Recently returned from time off to deal with depression and anxiety stemming from the unexpected passing of his father, Votto went 4-for-6 against the D-backs. His fourth hit came in the bottom of the 10th inning on a line drive past the shortstop for a 3-2 win. It was the first walk-off hit of Votto’s career.

8. Walk-off homer in extras
Aug. 28, 2011

Votto bookended this performance with long balls against the Nationals. He hit a first-inning drive that barely cleared the right-field fence and led off the bottom of the 14th inning with a drive to the left-field bleachers against Collin Balester for a 5-4 walk-off win at Great American Ball Park.

9. Three pitches, three homers
June 9, 2015

During an 11-2 rout of the Phillies at Great American Ball Park, Votto didn’t just hit three home runs to power the Reds. He did it on three consecutive pitches. After he walked in his first plate appearance, Votto hit a third-inning first pitch from Aaron Harang to deep right-center field. He took Harang’s first pitch to left-center field for another solo homer in the fifth inning. In the seventh with a runner on, he lifted Dustin McGowan’s first pitch to right field for a two-run homer.

Votto joined Johnny Bench as the only two Reds players with three career three-homer games. He was the 36th player to do it overall.

10. Big doubleheader day
July 22, 2015

As the Reds split a doubleheader vs. the Cubs at Great American Ball Park, Votto became the first Reds player since Pete Rose in 1976 to reach base nine times in one day and first in the Majors since Robinson Canó in 2010.

In Game 1 -- a 9-1 Cincinnati victory -- Votto was 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three runs scored. During the nightcap -- a 6-5 loss to Chicago -- Votto went 2-for-2 with three walks.

11. Big return from shoulder surgery
June 19, 2023

In his 2023 debut after working his way back from August 2022 left shoulder surgery that repaired a torn rotator cuff and torn biceps, Votto hit a fifth-inning home run and the go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning. The Reds earned their ninth-straight win with a 5-4 victory over the Rockies at Great American Ball Park

12. Two homers in wild win over the Braves
June 23, 2023

Just four days after his return, Votto hit a game-tying solo home run and a go-ahead three-run homer during a thrilling 11-10 Reds victory over the Braves before a sellout crowd of 43,086 fans at Great American Ball Park. The 39-year-old’s great night was overshadowed by rookie Elly De La Cruz hitting for the cycle, something a Cincinnati player hadn’t done since 1989.