Quotes from Joey Votto

I spend most of my time thinking about - whether I am making the minimum or a big number, salary-wise - how can I be competitive as long as I have an opportunity to play.

I'd like to continue to reduce the amount of balls I swing at outside the strike zone. I've been told I have a really low number, one of the lowest percentages in the game, but there's no reason it shouldn't be the lowest.

There's only a certain percentage of the strike zone that you can do extra-base hit, barrel damage with the ball. Just because it's in the strike zone doesn't mean you have to take a cut at it.

There are some instances where I don't have an opportunity to do anything but walk. There are instances where I get pitches to hit and I can hopefully do something good with it, and I try not to give anything away.

I'll be disappointed if I retire and I am not part of a championship club here in Cincinnati specifically.

I'm very fond of coming to St. Louis.

The people in St. Louis have been great to me. Fans have been great.

I, personally, have standards that I have set for myself. I'd like to achieve those and look back without regret.

I've been in a Reds' uniform, in Cincinnati, owning a house here, part of the community. I cross paths with tons of people. Every time it's about 'let's win, let's keep going, let's win a championship here.' And the support has been tremendous. And I want to be a part of the team that gives that back to the community.

I'm proud to wear a Reds uniform, and I look forward to doing that until the last day of my Major League Baseball career.

I was really happy with the 2,000th hit, because before the at-bat, I wanted to make sure my uniform looked good, my socks looked good. I made sure that way, if there's a highlight, I at least look my best. It was a really good at-bat. I was very happy, because the pitcher was throwing very tough pitches that at-bat.

My objective with men at 2nd and 3rd is to get one quality pitch to drive them in. If it's not available, I'm going to go to first base. I won't make any apologies about that.

It bothered me when Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City.

I feel lucky that I was able to sign a contract for an extended period of time with a no-trade clause. I don't take that lightly. I also understand that there are gonna be ebbs and flows, and peaks and valleys.

I think I am boring. That's good. I strive for boring in all elements of my game.

I think we're in a new era of baseball where it's not OK to have a lumbering slugger in the corner of the outfield not catching the ball, and not taking the extra base.

I appreciate some of the attention and the accolades, but I typically shy away from it.

I'm always ready to be attacked.

I think people do things and say things emotionally when they make it personal.

I'm part of the entertainment industry.

I'm not trying to do something in particular each at-bat, I'm just trying to get the most out of that at-bat, do something that helps the team in the long run.