Joe Nuxhall

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nuxhall played primarily for the Cincinnati Reds. Immediately after retiring as a player, he became a radio broadcaster for the Reds from 1967 through 2004, and continued part-time up until his death in 2007. Nuxhall held the team's record for career games pitched (484) from 1965 to 1975, and still holds the team mark for left-handers. He pitched 2/3 of an inning for the Reds on June 10, 1944, at the age of 15 years, 316 days. Called upon for that single game due to player shortages during World War II, Nuxhall eventually found his way back to the Reds in 1952, and the National League All-Star team in 1955 and 1956. Long known as 'The Ol' Left-hander,' he compiled a career earned run average of 3.90 and a record of 135–117 during his 16-season career, with all but five of his victories being earned with the Reds. Nuxhall died in 2007 after a long battle with cancer.

In Their Own Story

Nuxhall eventually found his way back to the Reds in 1952 at age 23. He pitched the final three innings of a 19–1 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers on May 21, allowing one hit and no runs. Four days later against St. Louis, he took over in the fourth inning, giving up two runs on six hits for his first major league loss. His first win came a month later against the New York Giants in relief of Harry Perkowski as the Reds rallied for a 5–4 victory. By 1955, Nuxhall blossomed into an All-Star, going 17–12 with a 3.47 ERA and five shutouts on 257 innings. He pitched 3 1/3 innings in that All-Star game, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out five. The following year, he made another All-Star appearance, though he did not pitch. His best team finish came with the 91–63 "Redlegs" squad that took third place, just two games behind the Dodgers. He later pitched for the Kansas City Athletics in 1961 before being released in December.

Reader's Guide

Nuxhall remains the youngest individual to play in a major league game in history. During Nuxhall's lifetime, it was believed that a 14-year-old named Fred Chapman pitched five innings in one 1887 game. But in 2009, the Society for American Baseball Research discovered that Chapman's first name and age were both incorrect. The 1887 player was actually named Frank Chapman, and he was 25 at the time of his only major league appearance. There have also been sources listing a Billy Geer, who played for the 1874 New York Mutuals of the National Association, as being born in 1859; but this is questionable as well, as is whether the National Association was a major league.

Did You Know?

• Nuxhall was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio.
• He signed a major league contract with the Reds on February 18, 1944, at age 14.
• He made his major league debut on June 10, 1944, at age 15 years, 316 days.
• He was named to the National League All-Star team in 1955 and 1956.
• He broadcast for the Reds from 1967 through 2004, and continued part-time until his death in 2007.