Joseph Daniel "Joey" Votto, is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is the 2010 NL MVP, the recipient of the National League Hank Aaron Award for 2010, and won the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year in 2010. Votto was born on September 10, 1983 in Toronto, Canada. Votto grew up in the western Etobicoke section of the city. His mother was a sommelier and restaurant manager. His father, Joseph, was a chef and a huge baseball fan. Votto enrolled at Richview Collegiate Institute in 1997. At his high school, Votto was interested in basketball... but he was not interested in hockey. Votto and his father were fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. Votto was drafted out of high school in the second round of the 2002 MLB amateur draft by the Reds , Votto's first few professional seasons with the Reds' rookie-level affiliates were quiet. However, Votto burst onto the scene in 2004, when he hit 26 doubles, 14 home runs, and sported a batting average of .302 with the Class A Dayton Dragons.
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| Birthdate: | September 10, 1983 |
| Birthplace: | Etobicoke |
| Age: | 28 |
| Height: | 6' 3" |
| Weight: | 220 lbs. |
| All Positions Played: | First baseman |