Thread: Joe Nuxhall 1928 2007 A sad day for Cincinnati

The Ol’ Left-hander is rounding third and heading for home. Over six decades as a player and broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall was one of the most beloved figures in our great baseball history.
Joe Nuxhall, one of the most beloved figures in our rich baseball history, died at 10:55 p.m. Thursday night at Mercy Hospital-Fairfield. He was 79.


Rounding third and heading for home

Nuxhall dies at 79
BY KEVIN KELLY | KKELLY@ENQUIRER.COM

http://news.enquirer.com

Hamilton native 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, died at 10:55 p.m. Thursday night at Mercy Hospital-Fairfield. He was 79.

One of the most beloved figures in Cincinnati’s rich baseball history, Nuxhall was admitted to Mercy Hospital-Fairfield on Monday for pneumonia, a low pulse rate and low white blood count. Thursday morning, doctors postponed surgery to insert a pacemaker because of Nuxhall’s low pulse, his son Kim Nuxhall said.
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The Ol’ Left-hander, as he came to be known to scores of Reds fans, spent six decades with the team as a player and radio broadcaster until retiring after the 2004 season. Working under a personal services contract with the Reds, he broadcast selected games during the 2007 season.


"He’s one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever met,â€

Thousands of people get the chance to say goodbye to a Tri-State legend today.

The public visitation for Joe Nuxhall is expected to draw several thousand people. 10,000 programs were printed by the Reds and will be handed out at the Fairfield High School gym tonight. 4,000 to 6,000 people are expected to show up at the viewing, which starts at 4:00 p.m. You can watch live coverage beginning on Local 12 First at Four and here on Local12.com also beginning at 4 p.m.

Nuxhall passed away late Thursday night after a bout of pneumonia and a fight with cancer.

Joe was just 15-years-old when he pitched his first game for the Reds. He set a record of being the youngest person to play Major League Baseball. The two time National League All-Star actually led the League in shutouts in 1955.

After ending his career as a Reds baseball player, he moved right into the Reds' announcing booth. He spent nearly 40 years broadcasting Reds games.

Nuxhall is a local legend who also lent his name to help out various causes, especially in Fairfield where he lived. Just this week, Butler County officials, members of the Community and Nuxhall's family launched a campaign to get the Ol Lefthander into Baseball's Hall Of Fame. He was nominated for the Ford Frick Award.

The funeral director says it will be a fitting tribute for a man who meant so much to this area. Visitors will have a chance to sign a guest book, make contributions to Joe's favorite charities, and look at memorabilia as they wait in line.

Wednesday's funeral is private, but the family has released information on the processional route. It starts at 10:30 a.m. at Zettler Funeral Home, it will pass the Joyce Park Ball Fields where The Ol Left hander gave pitching lessons, the Hamilton campus of Miami University where Joe got his first radio job, Joe's old neighborhood in Hamilton where his golden left arm was discovered, and Greenwood Cemetery where his parents are buried. The processional will end at Rosehill Cemetery for a family service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Joe Nuxhall Hope Project, c/o Fairfield Community Foundation, 5350 Pleasant Ave., Fairfield, OH 45014.

If you're planning to attend the visitation, access to Fairfield High School is limited to the main entrance on Holden Boulevard during the visitation. Gilmore Road is limited to only exiting traffic during that time. Signs will point you to parking at the school and an overflow lot at Jungle Jims with shuttle service provided. Handicapped parking is in the front of the school.

Joe's family will eventually receive the mementos left at the base of his statue at Great American Ballpark. Hundreds of fans have stopped by to remember the Ole Lefthander since Friday. Many left messages to Joe on hats, signs, and baseballs. Those items will be displayed at this year's Redsfest before going to the Nuxhall family.