On June 10th the Reds’ honored the late Joe Nuxhall sixty-four years after his major league debut at the age of just fifteen, a debut that still stands as the youngest in Major League history. Joe gave up five runs in just 1/3rd of an inning that day (the Reds were short on players because many were serving in World War II), but would eventually return to the Bigs eight years later and win 135 games, mostly with the Reds. He also was a fine hitter who went deep fifteen times. He died last year after a long bout with cancer.
Despite being a two time All-Star Joe became a legend in Cincinatti thanks to his work after hangin’ ‘em up as the Reds’ announcer, a job he held from 1967-2004. It was for his accomplishments both on the field and behind the microphone, however, that lead to the Reds proclaiming on Tuesday that the Great American Ballpark’s new address would be 100 Joe Nuxhall Way.
Joe’s widow, Donzetta, declared the day “overwhelming,” and his brother, Don, called it “mindblowing.” Don, incidentally, threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.
Joe’s former broadcast partner, Marty Brenneman, summed things up best when he said, “I don’t know of any other man who has touched the lives of so many people and did it truly classy and truly genuine.”
Tags: Reds