Joey Votto hasn’t suited up for the Cincinnati Reds since 2023, but the former first baseman clearly isn’t done showing love to the city he called home for more than two decades.
On Tuesday, the Reds announced that Votto gifted a custom-built street clock to the team, the city and its fans, thanking them for the support he received across his 22 years with the organization.
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The clock is now stationed on Crosley Terrace, just outside the main entrance to Great American Ball Park, and it’s hard to miss.
It stands 16 feet and eight inches tall with four 36-inch dials, all built by Cincinnati’s own The Verdin Company.
The top of it is hand-painted to look like a baseball, and each face features “Cincinnati” across the top and “Reds” along the bottom with the wishbone “C” centered on the dial.
Votto Thanks the City
“I am excited about giving the Clock to the city, the team and its fans,” said Votto. “Being the oldest professional team, I wanted this Clock to add to the charm and mystique of the Cincinnati Reds experience.”
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A bronze plaque at the base of the clock reads “Thank you Cincinnati” with Votto’s signature underneath, which pretty much sums up his 17-year big league career in one line.
Votto played his entire career with the Reds from 2007 to 2023 and put together a .294 batting average, 356 home runs, 1,144 RBI and a .409 on-base percentage over 2,056 games.
He made six All-Star teams, took home the 2010 National League MVP Award, and sits alongside Johnny Bench as one of just two Reds to hit 300 home runs, drive in 1,000 runs and collect 2,000 hits in franchise history.
Votto also made it clear that even though he’s done playing, he still wants to be part of what goes on inside that ballpark.
“There will continue to be massive moments happening at the ballpark in the future, and people making new memories,” Votto said. “I hope that I can still be part of it in some way, knowing the Clock adds character to this special place.”
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Looking Ahead
The whole thing comes at a good time, too.
Cincinnati opens the 2026 regular season on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park, coming off an 83-79 campaign in 2025 that got them into the postseason as a Wild Card team for the first time in a full season since 2013.
Votto, meanwhile, is moving into a new role this year as a pregame analyst for NBC Sports.
Reds President and CEO Phil Castellini had nothing but praise for the gesture, saying Votto made the organization proud every time he stepped on the field and that the clock will inspire everyone who walks past it.
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Considering how much Cincinnati fans already adored Votto throughout his career, the clock just adds to a legacy that was already well established.