He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, and Atlanta Braves.

Motte played a key role in the 2011 World Series championship run, saving five postseason games.

Motte had Tommy John surgery to repair an ulnar collateral ligament injury that kept him from playing all of 2013.

After returning to the Cardinals midway through the 2014 season, Motte signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Cubs for 2015.

His father, James, worked for Wheelabrator Technologies and moved the family around several times during Motte's childhood including stops in Shreveport, Louisiana, Shelton, Connecticut, Pueblo, Colorado, Pensacola, Florida and, ultimately, Montgomery, New York.

[1] He graduated from Valley Central High School in Montgomery in 2000 and played catcher on the varsity baseball team.

[3] Despite his arm strength, Motte never threw a single pitch in a game in either high school or college.

On June 29, 2005, Motte went on the disabled list (DL) for a thumb fracture while playing for the High-A Palm Beach Cardinals.

[6] Spurred by the thumb injury, declining batting average, and conspicuous throwing abilities, Motte converted to pitching.

[7] Motte spent the majority of the 2008 season with the Memphis Redbirds, the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A farm team in the Pacific Coast League.

He earned his first save on September 18 against Cincinnati in their ballpark, getting the final out in the ninth inning with a fly ball to left field.

After this blown save opportunity, La Russa moved Motte into a middle reliever role.

Despite the blown the save on opening day and occasional rough outings that contributed to a 4.59 ERA, Motte recorded 14 holds.

Motte also pitched in three games in the 2011 National League Championship Series (NLCS) against St. Louis' division rival, the Milwaukee Brewers.

[10][11] On January 22, 2013, the St. Louis Cardinals reached a two-year contract with Motte, the financial details of which were not disclosed.

However, on May 3, the Cardinals announced that Motte would undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his elbow.

Eventually, rookie Trevor Rosenthal replaced Mujica by season's end and saved four games in the Cardinals' NL pennant-winning playoffs.

Due to Motte availing himself to the other Cardinals pitchers even while he was unable to pitch, his teammates voted for him to receive the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award.

[15] He was designated for assignment on March 31, 2017, to create room for Stephen Cardullo who had his contract purchased, and released on April 5.

On February 16, 2018, Motte signed a minor league deal to return to the Cardinals, reuniting him with the team that drafted him.

While recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2013, Motte disclosed that his encounters with numerous people stricken with cancer – from his grandfather to Cardinals fans, including many children – moved him to visit and encourage them.