Joey Votto

I didn't know if it was possible, but I wanted to some day be the highest paid Canadian player.

My teammates have been very supportive, and I feel lucky because of that.

It bothered me when Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City.

I was raised in Mimico, a small neighborhood just outside of Toronto, Canada. One of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.

I will not be a very satisfied, happy person if I don't perform at the level that I expect.

I love to play at a really high level.

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.

You won't give yourself an opportunity to do good things unless you are out on the field.

Most elite players want to maximize the length of the contract, no matter the money.

I've got some teammates telling me I can play for a long time, ooh, boy, I don't want to play for a long time.

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 never want to be apologetic for anything I say.

I think it's very difficult to have fewer opportunities to have success and still execute. My favorite player was Barry Bonds, and he got so few opportunities.

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 want to be great at what I do. I take a lot of pride in it. And I try not to sell myself short in my work and preparation.

Hitting is very challenging, you never get it solved.

Great players have bad years.

He would watch every single Reds game. He was the first one to teach me how to play baseball. I played catch with him on a daily basis when I was really young. He was a big fan. He was just in love with what I did and me. He was a great father to me.

I think the smart teams are chasing those well-rounded players, making that well-rounded lineup, having that well-rounded team.

When you are raised in a restaurant you really don't want to go to one that often, I'd rather cook.