Reds’ Votto turns into all-time chief in MLB video games performed by a Canadian; how far can he go?

When Joey Votto takes the sphere immediately at Nice American Ballpark for the Cincinnati Reds and assumes his common place at first base, he shall be making just a little little bit of historical past.

In doing so, the Toronto native will mark his 1,989th Main League recreation, eclipsing Larry Walker to grow to be the all-time chief in video games performed by a Canadian participant.

This isn’t the primary time that Votto, 38, and Walker have been linked statistically. Votto has been chasing down information set by the Corridor of Famer from Maple Ridge, B.C., ever since he entered within the league in 2007, which was two years after Walker’s profession ended. Votto was the primary Canadian MLB participant since Walker to hit 300 homers and accumulate 1,000 RBI, and likewise joined the previous Montreal Expo within the 2,000-hit membership.

However whereas Walker nonetheless holds the sting in profession hits (2,160 vs. 2,093) and homers (383 vs. 342), this made-in-Canada report is Votto’s alone. And if Votto has any say within the matter, whoever desires to displace him may have their work lower out.

Talking in the course of the latest “Subject of Goals Recreation” in Iowa, Votto was requested if 20 seasons was a mark he felt he might obtain. He stated he he’d spoken to Corridor of Famer Ken Griffey Sr. about that very topic.

“I used to be speaking to Griffey Sr. earlier than the sport and I stated, ‘I really feel good.’ And he stated, ‘You look good, maintain going.’

“I am having a good time,” stated Votto, who’s batting .214 however is main the Reds in homers (11) and is within the high three on the staff in hits, runs, walks, and on-base proportion. “I need to maintain taking part in.”

If he does, it is enjoyable to think about how far he might go. With 50 extra video games left this season for the Reds, Votto would nonetheless be exterior of the highest 200 amongst all-time leaders in video games performed.

His rookie season, when he performed simply 24 video games, apart, Votto is averaging about 125 video games a 12 months. One other season like that and he’d tie Invoice Mazeroski for 164th. Season 18 would put him forward of Goose Goslin at a hundred and twentieth. If Votto had been to play a twentieth season, he would seemingly crack the highest 50 listing, the place the one lively gamers residing are the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera and the soon-to-retire Albert Pujols of the Cardinals.

And if he had been to play till he was 43, like Griffey Sr. wished he had? Properly, that might take Votto into the dizzying heights of the highest 15, the place names comparable to Beltre, Staub, and Bonds reside.

Both approach, it could be a quantity the subsequent Canadian participant wouldn’t eclipse anytime quickly.