Canadian professional baseball Joey Votto is a first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). 

Votto made his MLB debut with Cincinnati Reds in 2007. He is a six-time MLB Star and a seven-time Tip O' Neil Award Winner.

Votto has created an image for himself as the first Canadian MLB player since Larry Walker to hit 300 home runs, and 1000 career runs batted in. In addition, the left-handed batsman has been twice awarded Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Athlete of the Year. 

Who Is Joey Votto?

Votto was born on September 10, 1983, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

Votto was born to Wendy and Joseph Votto and grew up in the city of Etobicoke. He has three siblings named Tyler Votto, Ryan Votto, and Paul Votto, whom he frequently mentions on social media.

His father was of Italian and English descent and was one of the biggest influences on Votto choosing his career path. His father was a chef and a baseball fan who got his son Votto into playing baseball.

Votto followed in his father's footsteps to become an avid baseball fan. As a child, he adorned his wall with a Ted Williams poster.

Unfortunately, Votto's father passed away at 52 in 2008.  

The baseball enthusiast first started his athletic journey in his high school at Richview Collegiate Institute. This eventually led him to play for the Etobicoke Rangers baseball program when he was still in high school.

After high school, Votto signed a National Letter of Intent to play college baseball for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. 

Later on, after he joined the MBL, he moved to the United States to play and lived in different places like Florida and Ohio.

Is Joey Votto Married?

Votto is not married, but he is in a long-time relationship with his girlfriend, Jeanne Paulus.

The baseball player has been together with his girlfriend, Jeanne Paulus, for over eight years now. Their relationship has been known to the public since 2013.

It is said that Votto met his girlfriend when he was a resident of Sarasota, Florida, starting in 2010.

Jeanne is from the state of Florida. They keep their relationship private on social media, but they have been spotted multiple times in public by media. Votto and his girlfriend have been together for a while now, but they are yet to tie the knot.

Is Joey Votto Gay?

Rumors of the first baseman being gay started in 2009 when he stopped appearing a lot in public. However, Votto's private life resulted from stress and his struggles to deal with his father's death in August 2008.

He opened up about his struggles with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. He reported having called 911 in the middle of the night for a trip to the hospital. 

Votto has a girlfriend with whom he has been for over eight years and has never had public confrontations about being homosexual. Â