Votto trades his bat for the mic.
Joey Votto has never been shy about saying what he feels, and the former Cincinnati Reds star did exactly that on Friday when he painted the perfect picture of what baseball season means to him.
"It's like a big barbecue," Votto said when speaking about the upcoming season.
It is the kind of quote that only Votto could deliver, and it captures the spirit of what makes the game special to so many people.
The sun, the green grass and the sound of a bat cracking on a warm afternoon all come together to create something that feels like a celebration.
Now, instead of playing in those moments, he will be the one bringing them to life behind a microphone for NBC when the network returns to Major League Baseball coverage in 2026.
A Fan Favorite Moving to the Booth
Votto spent 17 seasons with the Reds and became one of the most beloved players in Cincinnati history.
He finished his career with a .294 batting average, 356 home runs, 1,144 RBI and a .409 on-base percentage while winning the 2010 National League MVP Award and earning six All-Star selections.
He was known for his plate discipline, his larger-than-life personality and the way he connected with the fans at Great American Ball Park.
When Votto stepped into the Reds' broadcast booth during an injury rehab in 2022, it was obvious that he had a future in television.
He was quick, funny and comfortable enough to hold his own alongside seasoned broadcasters without missing a beat.
NBC noticed, and according to reports from Front Office Sports, the network is finalizing a deal to make Votto part of its baseball coverage this spring alongside former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and ex-Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
What Votto Brings to NBC
NBC is returning to baseball for the first time in 26 years after securing a three-year, $600 million deal that gives the network Sunday Night Baseball and the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
The network will air 27 primetime games during the 2026 season, starting with an Opening Day doubleheader on March 26.
One sports TV producer previously told Front Office Sports that Votto is "a no-brainer" because of his national name, his MVP pedigree and his natural ability in front of the camera.
The Reds went 83-79 in 2025 and earned a Wild Card berth before falling to the Dodgers in a two-game sweep, and while Votto will not be suiting up anymore, his presence on national television will keep the connection between him and Cincinnati fans alive in a whole new way.
The fact that Votto sees baseball as a big barbecue tells you everything you need to know about how he will approach this next chapter.