Truly, the end of an era happened this morning.
Joe Nuxhall, former Cincinnati Reds pitcher and one of the voices of the Reds to many generations of sports fans, passed away this morning. He was 79. He was in the hospital battling complications from pneumonia, as well as awaiting surgery to implant a pacemaker. He was also battling cancer for the 3rd time.
According to his family, despite all this, he rallied up til the very end. Sadly, his friend and broadcast partner for 30+years, Marty Brennaman, was on a cruise in the Pacific when he found out. You can see the Reds Press Conference on Nuxhall here, by following the link provided on the page.
Joe Nuxhall was known as the Ol' Lefthander, and was often the grandfatherly figure many of us Reds fans saw and got autographs from when we made it down to Riverfront/Cinergy Field, or to the Great American Ballpark. He always had a kind word, a sparkle in his eye, and a love for children. Once, I met Joe at a show and showed him a picture taken of us when I was a kid, and he said, "Wow, is that you?" and then proceeded to ask about my life and when it was all said and done said, well, "you turned out all right, I see." The man was a Cincinnati institution.
Was he the greatest pitcher in Reds history? There is only a slight argument. Was he the greatest ballplayer? Certainly not. However, what he was, he was everyman. He was all of us, living the dream. He was Hamilton Joe, the 15 year old who got to pitch for the Reds and made a career out of it. He was our eyes and ears, bringing the game home to us. Who cares if he sometimes said that Sabo hit it to left center right field, it was Joe. He was our link. He was our link not only to the Reds and baseball of the current era, but more importantly, to a simpler era, when players wanted the love of the fans, when they wanted to be in the community. As Marty Brennaman said, there is no bigger personality in Reds history than Joe Nuxhall. He was Cincinnati Reds baseball for over six decades.
You know, you can judge a man, ulitmately, by his fruits, the Bible tells us. Joe Nuxhall leaves behind a family that is wonderful, including a son Kim who teaches in Fairfield, and who helped develop the Joe Nuxhall Character fund. Joe was always reaching out to kids, and he helped many people during his years. I have yet to run into anyone who had anything unkind to say about Joe Nuxhall, Bill Cunningham's stupid shtick not withstanding. His character fund has helped out many, and lending his name and time to charities has led to thousands having it a little better during the holidays. God bless Hamilton Joe.
Joe Nuxhall represented a last link to that bygone time when ballplayers really were one of us, when you could see them at the corner store or at the diner. In fact, Joe often went around the Hamilton/Fairfield area and ate breakfast with the people. It is not known how much he actually ate because typically he was besieged by autograph seekers and fans. He never turned them down, not once.
He was always available. He always threw batting practice, up until the late 1990s, I believe. He played in many old timers games, and was always in charity golf events. He was always out promoting Reds baseball and good community service. He was a legend, not just for what he did, but for WHO HE WAS.
Joe was always willing to laugh at himself. His Kroger TV and Radio Commercials with Marty Brennaman are some of the funniest things you will see. He and Marty were the ultimate team, with Marty the hard edged voice of the critic and Joe the ever soothing Homer who just wanted to see the boys play hard. It is fitting somehow, that his last public appearance was one in levity. He led the annual Chicken Dance at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, having fun and making people happy, as he did for six decades.
Joe hadn't been a fulltime Reds broadcaster since 2005. However, whenever he came in to do a game it was a treat. Even if he mispronounced names, or miscalled balls initially, he still had the same spark that called Pete Rose's 4192nd hit, the joy for the game that called the 1990 series. He was our Joe. And finally, sadly for us, he has rounded third and been ruled safe at home. Well done, Joe. Godspeed.
The Reds have put up a makeshift memorial next to his statue outside Great American BallPark, and a black ribbon hangs from his Reds HOF plaque in the museum. Tonight, all the Ballpark lights will be turned off except the ones that illuminate his farewell catchphrase, "rounding third and heading for home." Local Channel 12 will be running a special at 4:30pm on the life and times of Joe Nuxhall. Well done, Joe. Godspeed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe's Many Friends and Family.
Do your part for the old lefthander. Get him considered for the Ford Frick award. The man deserves it. He needs to be in that Hall. If he isn't, then it isn't quite worth going to see. He and Marty were a team. If one is in, they both need to be in.
More Joe Links:
Lance McAllister, 1530 HOMER Radio Show Host, Reds Fan
WCPO coverage
WLWT Coverage
WKRC local 12 Coverage
