Votto’s new home in Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame

By: Natalie Stoberman

Etobicoke’s very own Major League Baseball stand-out Joey Votto was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame at the annual induction dinner on Nov. 6 at the Old Mill Inn. Former Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Walton, Toronto Marlboros hockey coach Dan Brown and golf and curling reporter Bob Weeks, along with the Cincinnati Reds first baseman, rounded out this year’s remarkable induction class. The Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame has been recognizing athletes, coaches, builders, and just this year “legends”, for the past 21 years. But this year Votto broke the mold as the first active player to be inducted. He was surrounded by family, friends, fans and coaches from the Etobicoke Baseball Association where his baseball career began. Natalie Stoberman reports.

In his induction speech, Votto recognized his mentor and former Etobicoke Rangers coach Bob Smyth, his mother and father, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and teammate and former Blue Jay Scott Rolen for having some of the biggest impacts on his career. Votto’s full induction speech and mini-interview with emcee Jerry Howarth is below.

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