Unable to make a comeback after stepping on the bat incorrectly and injuring his ankle, will Choo Shin-soo's summoned 'On-base Machine' enter the HOF?
Aug 22, 2024
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Votto posted on his social media on the 22nd (Korea time) "Thank you to my parents, Wendy, and Joe for supporting me with everything I need to achieve my dream of becoming a professional baseball player. I was able to make myself the best when I was in the major leagues. I jumped with all the strength of my body, mind, and mind. Thank you for everything"Dusty Baker, Scott Rollen as a major leaguer, taught me how to be a professional. "
Votto then said "Toronto and the Canadian fans, I wanted to play in front of you, but I couldn't make it any better. Thank you to everyone who helped me with my efforts this year."
Votto left the Cincinnati Reds, who played for 17 years, as his 12-year, $251.5 million contract expired after the end of last year's season, and became an FA. With only 65 games last year, the team did not appear to take Votto with ease due to the obvious aging. I was also well aware of the market situation. Born in Toronto, Canada in early March, Votto eventually signed a minor league contract with his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and went on the road to try again.
And on March 18, he hit a home run off Philadelphia Phillies Jack Wheeler, marking his only exhibition game at the time. However, during the game that day, he was listed as injured when he accidentally stepped on the bat in the dugout and injured his right ankle. After three months of rehabilitation, he played a rehabilitation game at Triple-A Buffalo and marked six hits in 42 at-bats, but he was not called by the big leagues due to a recurrence of ankle injuries and a back injury.
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All of his major league records were made in Cincinnati. Votto, who became the main first baseman in 2008, was named the National League MVP in 2010 when he was first named the All-Star with a batting average of 0.324, 37 homers, 113 RBIs, 106 runs, an on-base percentage of 0.424, a slugging percentage of 0.600 and an OPS of 1.024.
In the following year, Votto, who continued his heyday by hitting a batting average of 0.309, 29 homers and 103 RBIs and winning the Gold Glove, ranked first in the on-base percentage category seven times, earning the nickname 'On-base Machine'. He marked a batting average of .300 eight times as a batter with power and accuracy.
Will Votto, who has a batting average of 0.294, 2135 hits, 356 homers, an on-base percentage of 0.409, a slugging percentage of 0.511, an OPS of 0.920, and a bWAR of 64.5 in 8,746 at-bats in 17 seasons, be able to reach the Hall of Fame.
In response, MLB.com said, `In some respects, Soto, who had a career on-base percentage of 0.409 and was named NL MVP in 2010, could no-doubt into the Hall of Fame. But he couldn't even get near the traditional Hall of Fame inductance guarantee of 3000 hits or 500 home runs,' he wrote. Most of the media reporters and analysts expressed the opinion that 'qualified'.
In his announcement of his retirement, Votto wrote, `Cincinnati, I played only for you. I love you", and the Cincinnati club responded "We love you too, Joey".
In 2013, when Choo Shin-soo played for Cincinnati, the two played as the team's main batters, leading the team to the postseason. At that time, Choo Shin-soo (0.285 batting average, 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, 107 points) played leadoff center fielder, and Votto (0.305 batting average, 24 home runs, 73 RBIs, 101 points) played as the third first baseman.
jhno@sportschosun.com
