Joey, we will miss you! Congratulations on a great career!

First baseman Joey VottoThe legendary Cincinnati Red 2010 The National League MVP has announced his retirement from baseball.

The six-time All-Star, now 40, made the announcement on social media Wednesday night. (RELATED: MiLB's Durham Bulls unveil their swaggeriest jerseys, paying tribute to hockey and the Carolina Hurricanes)

“This sport allowed me to be myself,” Bott wrote. “I became the best version of myself. I gave my body, mind and spirit to this sport and I am grateful for it all.”

Votto became a free agent last season after completing a 12-year, $251.5 million contract with Cincinnati. The MLB legend was a second-round pick by the Reds in the 2002 amateur draft and graduated from Toronto's Richview College Institute.

In 17 seasons (2,056 games) with Cincinnati, Votto batted .294 with 356 home runs, 1,144 RBIs and a .409 on-base percentage. He won a Gold Glove in 2011 and led the National League in on-base percentage seven times.

clock:

I understand he's 40 years old and we all knew this was going to happen eventually, but it's still hard to believe to think that Joey Votto is now officially retired.

I remember him slamming the ball like it was yesterday.

Congratulations on a great career. Joey Votto Enjoy your retirement life.

We look back on the Mother's Day game in 2012, when he hit three home runs and finished off the game with a walk-off grand slam. pic.twitter.com/TxwOQlJQfD

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 21, 2024

The game just won't be the same without you, pimp. Enjoy your retirement.