CINCINNATI — The late pitcher and long-time broadcaster Joe Nuxhall was always considered part of the team.
The Cincinnati Reds made Nuxhall a part of everyone on the team during the Opening Day tribute to the fan favorite.
All the players and coaches wore special jerseys during pre-game introductions in a tribute to Nuxhall. Players had their number on the front of the jersey but the name “Nuxhall” and the number 41 on the back.
Players changed into their regular jerseys for the game with the
exception of starting pitcher Aaron Harang, who pitched the game while wearing No. 41 instead of his No. 39 jersey.
Major League Baseball gave the Reds special permission to wear the jersey.
“They came to me and asked me if I wanted to wear (the jersey for the entire game),” said Harang. “Nuxhall is one of the better guys you’d ever meet. He’s a legacy in Cincinnati. Starting the season without him is a definite change.”
Nuxhall was the youngest player to ever appear in a major league game when he pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 10, 1944, at the age of 15 years and 10 months.
The fling ended until his return to the Reds in 1952. He spent 15
of his 16 seasons with the Reds. Ironically, he pitched for the Kansas City Athletics and Los Angeles Angels in 1961, the only year the Reds won the National League pennant during his career.
He retired in April of 1967 and moved directly into the radio booth
as the color commentator. His folksy style won over fans and when he teamed with current Reds play-by-play announcer Marty Brennaman. In 1974, the duo was inseparable in the booth in the eyes of the fans.
Nuxhall often pitched batting practice for the team and offered
advice to players.
“I got a chance to say good-bye (at the funeral),” said Reds
outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.
“It’s tough. It’s not normal to not have him here. I can still hear
his voice, encouraging me. It hit me in spring training that I wasn’t going to see him (again).”
Outfielder Adam Dunn said not seeing Nuxhall going through his
normal routines made him realize the old-lefthander was gone.
“I’m used to seeing him eating those hard-boiled eggs. Not seeing him was a wake-up call,” said Dunn.
The Reds also unveiled a jersey painted on the outfield wall above
the bullpen with Nuxhall’s name and number. The Reds honored Nuxhall and Brennaman along with another announcer, Waite Hoyt, with replica microphones hanging on the wall near the radio booth.
Nuxhall was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 1968. He was a
two-time All-Star and led the National League in shutouts in 1955. He held the Reds’ record for career games pitched (484) until Clay Carroll broke that mark in 1975.
Besides Nuxhall, the Reds held a tribute to three other men who
died during the past year that included Bob Howsan, the man who put together the dominating Big Red Machine of the 1970s, pitcher Bob Purkey, and long-time scout Sheldon “Chief” Bender.
Before the game Team Lachey — winners of the NBC reality show “Clash of Choirs” — sang “Amazing Grace” as a tribute to the four men.
The Reds will wear a black patch with the name “Nuxy” on their
sleeves the entire season.
