At 15 years and 316 days old, Joe Nuxhall took the mound at Crosley Field on June 10, 1944. Competing during a period of severe player shortages caused by World War II, the Hamilton, Ohio native became the youngest person ever to appear in a Major League Baseball game, a milestone that remains an unmatched statistical record in professional baseball history.
An Unexpected Major League Entry
Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 190 pounds, Nuxhall was a prominent athlete in his ninth-grade class. Cincinnati Reds scouts originally scouted his father, Orville Nuxhall, but turned their attention to Joe when the elder Nuxhall declined a contract. Joe signed with the club on February 18, 1944. With the approval of his high school principal, the teenager joined the team on Opening Day.
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Take the IQ test →The 1944 Debut and Minor League Tenure
During his initial 1944 appearance, Nuxhall faced the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching two-thirds of an inning. He successfully retired shortstop George Fallon before allowing five walks and five runs. Following this short outing, he spent time in the minor league system, playing for the Birmingham Barons, Syracuse Chiefs, Lima Reds, Muncie Reds, Columbia Reds, Charleston Senators, and Tulsa Oilers.
Professional Return and Career Statistics
Nuxhall returned to the Cincinnati Reds in 1952, beginning a 16-season career as a left-handed pitcher. He earned All-Star selections in 1955 and 1956, and maintained a career earned run average of 3.90 with a 135-117 record. He remains the leader in career games pitched for left-handers in franchise history, holding the team record of 484 total appearances until 1975.
Broadcasting Career
Upon his retirement from active play, Nuxhall transitioned into broadcasting. He provided radio commentary for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 through 2004, continuing in a part-time capacity until his death in 2007. His work in the booth solidified his presence in the sport for decades following his departure from the pitcher's mound.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Hamilton, Ohio
- Died: 2007, Fairfield
- MLB debut: June 10, 1944
- Career record: 135-117
- Career ERA: 3.90
- All-Star appearances: 1955, 1956
- Radio broadcaster for Reds: 1967-2004
- Citizenship: United States
Questions readers ask
Was Joe Nuxhall the youngest person to play professional baseball?
No, he holds the record for the youngest Major League player, but Joe Reliford, a 12-year-old batboy, played in a professional Class D game in 1952.
How long did Nuxhall play in the major leagues?
His career spanned 16 seasons, starting with his 1944 debut and returning to the majors in 1952 through his retirement.
Achievements
- Signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a teenager
- Pitched in MLB at age 15 (1944), youngest in modern history
- 16-year Major League career
- Longtime Reds broadcaster
