After years of waiting and heated debates, the National Baseball Hall of Fame has officially welcomed a Cincinnati Reds icon—but it’s not the name many expected.
Joey Votto has officially been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Reds player enshrined since Barry Larkin in 2012. His induction comes just months after the MLB lifted its long-standing ban on Pete Rose, sparking speculation that the all-time hits leader would be next. But in a dramatic turn of events, Votto crossed the finish line first.
Rose, despite being declared eligible for Hall of Fame consideration following Commissioner Rob Manfred’s reversal of the lifetime ban, fell short of the required votes from the Eras Committee in their 2025 session. The committee, citing ongoing concerns over Rose’s off-field controversies, chose to delay his entry—once again leaving one of baseball’s most polarizing figures on the outside looking in.
Votto’s induction, meanwhile, was met with overwhelming support from fans and fellow players. Known for his sharp batting eye, consistent approach at the plate, and unrelenting work ethic, Votto carved out a 17-year career that made him one of the toughest outs in the game. Despite lacking traditional power numbers, his advanced metrics, OPS dominance, and leadership on and off the field ultimately won over the voters.
The former MVP and six-time All-Star joins an elite list of first basemen in Cooperstown, including Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, and Willie McCovey. His election breaks a 13-year Reds drought in the Hall of Fame and marks a tu
rning point for how modern statistics are viewed in evaluating greatness.
For Cincinnati fans, this moment is bittersweet. While they celebrated Votto’s enshrinement in Cooperstown, they still await justice for Rose, whose 4,256 career hits remain unmatched. Rose will get another shot at the Hall in the next Eras Committee vote in 2028.
Until then, the spotlight belongs to Joey Votto—the newest Hall of Famer, the pride of Cincinnati, and the man who brought the Reds back to Cooperstown.
