Friday, November 16, 2007

Reds Player and Broadcasting Legend Joe Nuxhall dies at 79

Joe Nuxhall kisses his wife Donzetta after unveiling a statue of himself in front of Great American Ball Park in 2003. Nuxhall was one of four Reds greats honored with statues when the ballpark opened. The others were Frank Robinson, Ted Kluszewski and Ernie Lombardi. Photo from the Cincinnati Enquirer
From the Cincy Enquirer
Cincinnatians today mourned the loss of Joe Nuxhall, who as a 15-year-old in 1944 made history by pitching for the Reds and later became a fixture in the Reds radio booth.

Nuxhall -- affectionately known as the Ol' Left-Hander -- died at 10:55 p.m. Thursday at Mercy Hospital-Fairfield. He was 79.

I have been to more than a few Reds games and heard even more on the Big One, 700 WLW. Now I am biased towards Reds announcers (some of you may know why if you see the giant microphones in Great American Ball Park) but Nuxhall was try a legend. Joe and Marty WERE Cincinnati baseball and the sound of the great American past time for so many.

One of Joe’s best friends, although he never knew it, was my grandmother, Goldie, who listened to the Reds on her little radio faithfully until the day she past, well into her 90s!. She loved the sound of the game being called and never let us boo or speak ill of her Reds when they were down enjoyed when they were up.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Joe’s family and friends... Which means our hearts go out to any fan of baseball and every Cincinnatian.
"This is a sad day for everyone in the Reds organization. I'm in shock. I've known Joe my entire life. He did so many great things for so many people. You never heard anyone ever say a bad word about him. We're all going to miss him."
-- Ken Griffey Jr., Reds player

No comments: