This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CINCINNATI -- Since leaving the Reds after the 2023 season, former first-base great Joey Votto tried a comeback in 2024, and then he spent last year traveling all over the world.
Votto, who turns 43 on Sept. 10, found his way back to baseball in 2026 via television analyst work for MLB Network and NBC's Sunday Night Baseball. He was part of the call on Sunday, when the Reds played the Cubs.
Before and after the game, Votto visited the Reds’ clubhouse and spoke to Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz, among others.
“The definition of a complete hitter," Stewart said. "I watched him growing up. It was awesome that he was here to watch that. It’s really cool that now I’m playing and he’s watching me, because I grew up watching him.”
After his 17-year career -- all with Cincinnati -- Votto ranks second all-time in franchise history in homers (356), doubles (459) and OPS (.920), first in walks (1,365), third in runs (1,171), fourth in hits (2,135) and fifth in games (2,056).
I caught up with Votto on Sunday afternoon in the Wrigley Field press box for this Q&A.
(Some answers were edited for length and brevity)
MLB.com: How much have you enjoyed broadcasting and TV?
Votto: I use MLB Network with the objective of staying up to date with the game and then improving my communication style. That combination is quite tough. I'm not motivated to watch multiple games a night. I want to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I've got stuff to do. More importantly, the Reds haven't been good enough this year to tune into. So it's been a bit frustrating at times. I think if they had an intriguing team, it would be a different story?
MLB.com: No Reds, really?
Votto: I have not been watching the Reds, because it hasn't been a strong year for them. Working at NBC, my responsibility is to be more breadth than depth, to make sure I can speak to just about everything, comment on the momentum of the league, who are the big names, what's going on with league-wide changes, ABS, pitching styles, gameplay styles. I can't do that focusing exclusively on one team. That's where MLB Now really helps me.
MLB.com: What's the best skillset you bring to a broadcast?
Votto: I played at a high level. I'd say the thing I offer that few players offer is that I made a lot of adjustments during my career. Hitting more specifically, I was sometimes more squatty, sometimes taller ... I can comment on what it takes to be successful with different styles. I also played through several different generations. I've felt spin. I've felt high velo. I've seen the evolution of the game and I can offer that. I didn't just observe it. I felt it on the field. That is what the casual fan and diehard fan want to hear. They want to hear my experience and somehow explain what they're seeing in front of them.
MLB.com: You got to dabble with radio and TV with the Reds to call games while you were injured. What made you decide that this is something you wanted to do more of?
Votto: I find it challenging. Being able to speak but in an efficient and direct manner is quite hard. I want to get better at that. I also know the sport, and with that combination, I can bring something to the table while also being challenged.
MLB.com: Do you ever want to be in baseball operations, coaching or anything like that?
Votto: I don't like the idea of participating in a part-time [role]. I've spoken to too many players that felt like they were brushed aside and I don't want to be in that position. I don't want a special advisor role or a middle of the pack role where what I say isn't acknowledged or not used.
I also don't want to put a uniform on. I did that for a long time. It's a tough job traveling all over the place and committing yourself. Most importantly, it's crucial to give a player exactly what they need. It's a highly selfless job, and to do it correctly, you have to give yourself up. You have to give up the ego. It's never about you. Meet the player where he is at and serve them. These guys are dedicated 10 months out of the year, traveling in the offseason to hit with guys. They're in at 11 in the morning and leave at midnight. I also think it's crucial -- whether you're specialized coaching or managing -- to dedicate some time at the Minor League level.
MLB.com: Would being an executive, full time, interest you?
Votto: It would have to be the type of role that challenges me. As AI becomes ubiquitous, I see more players returning to the game because of all the data crunching, all the analytics, everything -- even they're using biomechanical tools to evaluate how players move -- these all can be crunched by AI and something can be spun out.
I genuinely feel like the player who played and wants to make sure the product on the field is as clean as possible is of value. And it's hard for someone that didn't play to understand where to coach and where to step back. To answer your question -- I would, definitely, but I don't even know if I am equipped to do something like that.
I made that comment [about being a Reds GM recently] on MLB Now, tongue in cheek, obviously. But there's plenty of Major League players that are doing executive roles and having success.
MLB.com: You got to do a lot of traveling the past year, to Japan and all over Europe. How much did you learn from traveling all over the world? What did you like about fitting in with different cultures?
Votto: That's a good question. The challenging part about being a Major League player is you're constantly catered to. And the most important thing that I snagged from traveling is that nobody gives a damn about you at all and I try to go to places that upped my humility. I went to Auschwitz. I went to Hiroshima. I've been to Normandy. I went to as many places as I possibly could to better understand the world and how we're just one. I had a lovely time traveling and I think it helped me become a better citizen.