Reds legend Joey Votto is finally taking the next step fans have been begging for

Joey Votto had a larger than life personality during his time with the Cincinnati Reds, and now the rest of the MLB world will get hear what the future Hall of Famer has to say on a weekly basis. According to Front Office Sports, Votto will be part of the broadcast team for NBC's coverage of Major League Baseball in 2026.

Votto's specific role with the broadcast giant remains undefined, but it's possible that he'll be joining Emmy Award-winning commentator Bob Costas as the analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Baseball. Clayton Kershaw will part of the broadcast team as well, though his schedule will be limited and he'll likely operate as an in-studio personality. Former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo will be part of the crew as well.

It always felt as if Votto was destined to have a post-playing career job on television. While recovering from shoulder and biceps surgery during the second-half of the 2022 season, the six-time All-Star spent some time in the Reds' broadcast booth alongside play-by-play voice John Sadak and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. Most fans enjoyed Votto's in-depth analyst, and he's also been seen as a student of the game.

Reds legend Joey Votto joined NBC Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team

Many former players, including Reds' great Joe Morgan, have sat behind the microphone on a national stage. Though mercurial at times, Votto began to embrace a playful and engaging personality as the career began to wind down which made fans gravitate toward him even more.

Votto occupied a presence on social media and is oftentimes incredibly precise and measured in his responses to questions. Once he gets comfortable in his new role, it's quite likely that he'll be embraced by baseball fans across the country.

NBC is set to air 20 MLB games in 2026, including the Opening Day matchup between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds and Cubs will be part of Sunday Night Baseball in late-August, and it'll be interesting to see if Both Votto and Rizzo will be in attendance.