Joe Nuxhall - Wikipedia

Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that July 30 is the anniversary of the birth of American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Cincinnati Reds Joseph Henry Nuxhall who after retiring as a player, he immediately became a radio broadcaster for the Reds from 1967 through 2004, and continued part-time up until his death in 2007.

Images
1. 1960 Topps # 282 Joe Nuxhall - Cincinnati Reds Pitcher - front and back
2. 1963 Topps #194 Joe Nuxhall Cincinnati Reds Pitcher
3. 1953 Topps #105 Joe Nuxhall Cincinnati Reds Pitcher - front and back
4. 1965 Topps #312 Joe Nuxhall Cincinnati Reds Pitcher

Joe Nuxhall Reflecting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXsgJCRdDw0

1. Background from bhamwiki.com/w/Joe_Nuxhall
"Joe Nuxhall: Joseph Henry Nuxhall (born July 30, 1928 in Hamilton, Ohio; died November 15, 2007 in Fairfield, Ohio) was a long-time pitcher and broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds, notable for having been the youngest person to take the mound in a major league game (after which he suited up for one more game with the 1944 Birmingham Barons before deciding to return to high school).

Nuxhall pitched in a team-record 484 games for Cincinnati over 15 seasons. His career record was 135-117 with a 3.90 ERA. He continued his association with the team as a the Reds' radio broadcaster for 40 years. Nuxhall died in 2007 after a long battle with cancer.

Early life and professional debut

Nuxhall at 15
Nuxhall was one of five children born to Orville Nuxhall of Hamilton, Ohio. With the Reds' roster depleted by players serving in World War II, scouts began looking at Orville's semi-pro performances. When he declined a contract, they began considering his son, Joe, who at 14 years old was already a 6'-2" tall, 190 pound lefty who could throw a hard fastball. Joe signed his contract on February 18, 1944 and his principal gave him permission to join the team for opening day of the 1944 season.
Nuxhall made his first appearance on the mound on June 10 of that year. The Reds were trailing the visiting first-place St Louis Cardinals 13-0 at Crosley Field. His first opponent, shortstop George Fallon, grounded out, but he proceeded to give up five runs on two hits, five walks and a wild pitch before he was relieved. His one out and five runs allowed in 2/3 inning gave him an ERA of 67.5. He was immediately sent to Birmingham to work on his control.
As a Baron, Nuxhall made one appearance, this time for a third of an inning. He struck out his first batter, but then allowed five walks, a hit, and six runs for a 54.0 ERA. He stayed on the bench for the remainder of the season, then reported to spring training in 1945 before deciding that he was better off finishing high school. Having regained amateur status he earned all-state honors in football and basketball. After graduating he returned to the Reds organization, appearing with the Lima Reds, Syracuse Chiefs, Muncie Reds, Columbia Reds, Tulsa Oilers, and Charleston Senatrs before rejoining the Reds team in 1952.

Return to the majors
Nuxhall spent almost 15 of his 16 major league seasons with Cincinnati, where he was a two-time National League All-Star and led the league in shutouts in 1955. He also played for the Kansas City Athletics and Los Angeles Angels in the American League before returning to the Reds. In 1965 he broke Eppa Rixey's team record of 440 games pitched; his final mark of 484 stood until Clay Carroll surpassed it in 1975.

Broadcasting
Nuxhall retired from playing in April 1967, but continued to pitch batting practice for several years. Despite his lack of broadcasting experience, he immediately began his second career as a Reds broadcaster, serving as the familiar voice of the Reds for 40 years. He was was elected to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1968, and officially retired from the organization on October 3, 2004, 60 years after his pitching debut. He continued to make guest appearances on the air until his death.

Legacy
A statue of Nuxhall, and an inscription quoting his signature radio sign-off ("This is the old left-hander, rounding third and heading for home.") decorate Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park.
He founded the "Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund" in 2003 to support character development programs and projects for children. Proceeds from the sale of his biography, Joe: Rounding Third & Heading for Home, go to support the fund.
At his death in 2007, over 6,000 people paid their respects at a visitation at Fairfield High School. He is buried at the Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairfield. The Reds honored him throughout the 2008 season by wearing black patches with the name "NUXY" printed on them. On opening day of that season, they wore replica #41 jerseys during the player introductions.

References
Hoard, Greg (2004) Joe: Rounding Third and Heading for Home. Wilmington, Ohio: Orange Frazer Press ISBN [login to see]
Barra, Allen (2010) Rickwood Field: A Century in America's Oldest Ballpark. New York: W. W. Norton & Company ISBN [login to see] 334"


2. Obituary from legacy.com/obituaries/hamilton/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-nuxhall&pid=98103472
"Family-Placed Obituary
NUXHALL, Joseph H. Age 79, a Hamilton native and longtime Fairfield resident, died Thursday, November 15, 2007 in Mercy Hospital of Fairfield. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio on July 30, 1928 the son of Orville and Naomi (Gailey) Nuxhall and was a 1947 graduate of Hamilton High School. Joe was a professional baseball player from 1944-1966. After retirement from baseball, he went into broadcasting with the Miami University Basketball program on WMOH. He was the Cincinnati Reds broadcaster from 1967 through the 2007 season. Survivors include his wife, Donzetta; two sons, Phillip Nuxhall, of Cincinnati, and Kim ( Bonnie) Nuxhall of Fairfield; two step grandchildren, Jeremy Pyle, and Julie (Heath) McDonald; three step great grandchildren, Brooke and Trey McDonald, and Faith Pyle; three brothers, Gene Nuxhall, Bob (Pat) Nuxhall, and Don (Myra) Nuxhall. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister Evelyn Nuxhall. "

FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) 1stSgt Eugene Harless SCPO Morris Ramsey SSgt Robert Marx SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson SP5 Robert Ruck CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke MSgt David Hoffman LTC Jeff Shearer Maj Robert Thornton SGT Philip RoncariCWO3 Dennis M. SFC William Farrell

Great sports share sir.

Maj Marty Hogan Great career.