The Passing of a Legend | Pitt Blog

I was awaken at 8:30 this morning to the sad news of the passing of Joe Nuxhall. A Reds legend and Cincinnati institution, Joe was a member of the Reds organization for 63 years since he made his major league debut on June 10, 1944 at the age of 15. Known for his down-home demenor, Joe became a full time broadcaster for the Reds Radio network immediately after his retirement in 1967. He partnered with Marty Brennaman in 1974, beginning a 31 year run, one of the longest partnerships in broadcasting history. Once described as being similar to "An old married couple," they complimented each other totally. Marty's polished broadcasting skills and often caustic analysis combined with Joe's easy going style made them perfect for each other. Listening to Marty and Joe on the radio is the sound of summer. Ask anyone from Cincinnati and they will tell you how special it was to sit on your porch and listen to the two of them call a baseball game.

Joe is remembered not only for his broadcasting, but for his outstanding character. He was for all of his fame locally, just a regular guy. He could talk to a garbage man the same as he would the president of the United States. That's just the kind of person he was. No matter how important or unimportant a person you were, he would talk to you and make you feel ten feet tall. He never shyed away from talking to fans or signing autographs.

Joe also was known for his outstanding courage and determination. He has had many health problems in recent years, but it has never stopped him from living his life to the fullest. During Spring training before the 2007 season, he was hospitalized with a re-occurrance of the Lymphoma that he had battled for the last several years. The first thing he did after being released was go to the ballpark to visit the team. Despite his poor health, he never asked for pity and he never let it bring him down. He continued to call games on a part time basis last year while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. That is why this morning's news is such a shock to me. He has been hospitalized several times in the last few years but come March, you'd always hear his voice once again over the airwaves.

I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Nuxhall once. It was July 23, 2000. The day his longtime friend and broadcaster Marty Brennaman was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I was 11 years old and on the trip of a lifetime. I was standing with my father in the hall of fame when there he was. I got my picture taken with him and he also signed autographs for my dad and I. He could have very easily declined and said "not now," but that's not the type of person he was. Joe would never pass up a chance to have a conversation with anyone.

Regardless of whether you ever met him in person or not, every Reds fan feels like they know Joe Nuxhall on a personal basis. He is like a collective grandfather to every coach, player, employee, and fan who ever had to opportunity to meet him or just sit on the porch on a warm summer evening listening to he and Marty call a game on WLW. We will all miss you Joe, but we know that you will be calling Opening Day 2008 from heaven and we will still here your voice in the warm Summer breeze, reminding us all of Summers past.

"Until next time, this is the Ol' Lefthander rounding third and heading for home... Goodnight everyone."

You finally made it home, Joe.