Nuxie's story is a great one, and I don't want to spoil part 2 for anyone who doesn't know how the kid's career turned out, but he owns a record that absolutely will never be broken.
The sad part of the story is that there was an entire population of highly skilled and willing ball players who could've helped prop up MLB and fill some of the war time vacancies. They just had the wrong skin color.
Imagine how they felt watching the Reds sign a 15 year old kid. Or the Browns sign a dude with 1 arm (Pete Gray) and the Senators use a pitcher with 1 leg. I mean, kudos to Pete and Bert and Joe but it must've been quite an insult to the men.
Trying to understand the how and why of Nuxhall's signing was what drew me into this story. The idea of rostering a 15-year-old seems so unserious. The minors existed. There were plenty of players there. Sure, talent overall was depleted at every level, and systemic discrimination was going to keep it that way, but there must have been better "bets" to take a roster spot than this kid. Joe's ceiling was high, but even his dad probably had a higher floor in 1944 in terms of throwing strikes and getting outs. Next time I'll share the detail I uncovered that explains why Nuxhall was on that bench when he was, and who was pulling the strings.
Oh Paul, I just love baseball stories circa WWII! Not crazy about the baggie uniforms, though. I also love your multi part stories. I’m a big Googler and ChatGPT’er but I’m not going to look for any info about Joe Nuxhall. I am anxiously awaiting part 2! As an aside, Joe has the perfect name for a knuckleballer but McKechnie had other ideas!
Nuxy would have been a great knuckleballer, but he was too talented to be allowed to go that route! Great observation, Meg. "Ox Nuxhall" was a pretty good name, too.
I'm imagining that scenario other professional settings. "Hey, you've been great, but we see something really special in your kid. Here's a box for your things."
Things have certainly changed over the years. I assume now you have to be 18 to sign. Heck, how would they pay a 15 year old? “We can’t give you your check but your Mom said we can give you your allowance this week - here’s $10 until next Monday.”
It's a mix these days. I believe that there is some requirement about finishing high school in order to be eligible for the amateur draft, but I also know many international players sign developmental contracts much younger than 18. And in those cases I bet the parents have to sign the paperwork!
Between this early start and his many subsequent acts in the game, he was a part of baseball for 60 years. Regional fandoms hold onto these stories, but I was asking a sports fan at an Illinois gathering the other day if they'd ever heard of Joe Nuxhall. Shook their head. I hope Project 3.18 can help share and preserve some of these deserving legacies.
Nuxie's story is a great one, and I don't want to spoil part 2 for anyone who doesn't know how the kid's career turned out, but he owns a record that absolutely will never be broken.
The sad part of the story is that there was an entire population of highly skilled and willing ball players who could've helped prop up MLB and fill some of the war time vacancies. They just had the wrong skin color.
Imagine how they felt watching the Reds sign a 15 year old kid. Or the Browns sign a dude with 1 arm (Pete Gray) and the Senators use a pitcher with 1 leg. I mean, kudos to Pete and Bert and Joe but it must've been quite an insult to the men.
Trying to understand the how and why of Nuxhall's signing was what drew me into this story. The idea of rostering a 15-year-old seems so unserious. The minors existed. There were plenty of players there. Sure, talent overall was depleted at every level, and systemic discrimination was going to keep it that way, but there must have been better "bets" to take a roster spot than this kid. Joe's ceiling was high, but even his dad probably had a higher floor in 1944 in terms of throwing strikes and getting outs. Next time I'll share the detail I uncovered that explains why Nuxhall was on that bench when he was, and who was pulling the strings.
Oooh...sounds interesting! Can't wait!
This is a great story, Paul. Really looking forward to part 2.
I know of Joe Nuxhall... But my memory doesn't include the 60s. I didn't know any of this. I can't wait for part 2
Did I mention I can't wait for part 2??
The 1960s were hard on a lot of memories!
TBH, i was born in Dec 1963. My earliest memories are 1970…. Your comeback was good!
Oh Paul, I just love baseball stories circa WWII! Not crazy about the baggie uniforms, though. I also love your multi part stories. I’m a big Googler and ChatGPT’er but I’m not going to look for any info about Joe Nuxhall. I am anxiously awaiting part 2! As an aside, Joe has the perfect name for a knuckleballer but McKechnie had other ideas!
Nuxy would have been a great knuckleballer, but he was too talented to be allowed to go that route! Great observation, Meg. "Ox Nuxhall" was a pretty good name, too.
I think it’s great that Nuxhall benefited from “Bring your child to work day.” I look forward to Part 2, Paul.
I'm imagining that scenario other professional settings. "Hey, you've been great, but we see something really special in your kid. Here's a box for your things."
Things have certainly changed over the years. I assume now you have to be 18 to sign. Heck, how would they pay a 15 year old? “We can’t give you your check but your Mom said we can give you your allowance this week - here’s $10 until next Monday.”
It's a mix these days. I believe that there is some requirement about finishing high school in order to be eligible for the amateur draft, but I also know many international players sign developmental contracts much younger than 18. And in those cases I bet the parents have to sign the paperwork!
I grew listening to Joe (and Marty!) on the radio. Thanks for sharing this story.
Between this early start and his many subsequent acts in the game, he was a part of baseball for 60 years. Regional fandoms hold onto these stories, but I was asking a sports fan at an Illinois gathering the other day if they'd ever heard of Joe Nuxhall. Shook their head. I hope Project 3.18 can help share and preserve some of these deserving legacies.