Saturday, June 10, 2006

Sharp as a tack

Joe Nuxhall appears drawn and still has a lingering cough. That's certainly to be expected after spending seven days at Fairfield Mercy Hospital with double pneumonia.

But, there's certainly nothing wrong with the 'Ol Lefthander's memory.

Nuxhall was honored in a pre-game ceremony at the Reds Hall of Fame tonight in honor of the 62nd anniversary of his major league debut. On June 10, 1944, Nuxhall became the youngest player in the modern era to appear in a big league game when he took the mound for the Reds at the age of 15 years 10 months and 11 days. He allowed five runs, five walks and two hits in 2/3 innings.

When a reporter asked Nuxhall who the umpire was that "squeezed" him that day, Nuxhall said he believed it was Larry Goetz, a Cincinnatian who umpired in the majors from 1936 to 1956.

We were able to confirm through Retrosheet that Goetz was indeed the home plate umpire that day. Good job Nuxie.

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