Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto looking to join another Hall of Famer

Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto has had quite the season when it comes to personal milestones. He belted his 300th career homer on April 30th, and reached the 1000 RBI mark on June 30th, hitting a home run to reach that milestone as well. With that blast, he became the fifth player in Reds’ history to record 1000 RBI with the franchise.

Chances are, Votto is not done when it comes to reaching those milestones this season. He has 1954 hits entering Friday, just 46 hits away from 2000 in his career. If he can get those remaining hits, he will join a Hall of Famer as the only players to reach all three of those milestones in the same season.

Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto can match a Hall of Famer

The only time that a player reached all of those milestones in the same season happened in 1971. Cubs’ star Billy Williams notched his 2000th hit, 300th homer, and 1000th RBI as he was in the midst of his Hall of Fame career. He finished his time in the majors with 2711 hits, 426 homers, and 1475 RBI as he was inducted into the Hall in 1987.

Although it is unlikely that Votto will reach those numbers, he has put together a solid career in his own right. A six time All Star and the 2010 NL MVP, he has posted a .302/.417/.515 batting line, hitting 305 homers with exactly 1000 RBI at this point. He has been an on base machine in his career, leading the league in walks five times and in on base percentage seven times.

Those numbers may not seem overly impressive, but Votto does have an interesting Hall of Fame case of his own. He is one of six players to lead the league in on base percentage at least seven times – four are in the Hall, and the fifth, Barry Bonds, should be inducted. His ability to draw a walk has lowered his counting statistics, but Votto is truly a player of his era.

At 37 years old, the end of the line is in sight for Votto. He is signed through the 2023 season, with a team option worth $20 million for 2024. As he will be 40 years old should the Reds pick up that option, he has little time to add to his solid resume, one that could lead to his own induction.

Joey Votto is 46 hits away from 2000 in his career. If he reaches that mark, he will be the second player to reach 2000 hits, 300 homers, and 1000 RBI in the same season.