June 10, 1944 – The youngest player in MLB history makes his debut. Relief pitcher Joe Nuxhall at 15 years, 316 days, took the mound for the Cincinnati Reds. The current rules for Major League Baseball require athletes to be at least 18 years of age, but back then there was no such rule.
Nuxhall stood 6 foot-2 inches tall when in the ninth grade in Hamilton, Ohio. On the hill, he was a left-hander with a hard fastball but didn’t have the best placement of pitches. His father Orville Nuxhall was playing minor league ball and in 1943, the father-son tandem was playing together.
The Reds organization was trying to sign Orville to a contract but he declined on the account of having five kids at home. The scouts then became interested in Joe, who was only 14 at the time. Joe Nuxall would become an All-Star and later a radio broadcaster of MLB games.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
3 Famous Boxing Matches Believed to Have Been Rigged
Boxing has seen its fair share of controversy over the years. Among the most
The Longest Pass In Super Bowl History (Thru 2024)
It is impossible to avoid getting lost in the pageantry when thinking of the
Memorable Moments: A Look at the History of the Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup has long been a pinnacle of horse racing, bringing together the
The Greatest Phoenix Suns Players of All Time
Since joining the NBA in 1968, the Phoenix Suns have been home to some
The Bell’s of Saint JR (Relating to Jim Ross)
INTRO: Gregorian chant music as Ariel enters a church confession booth. PRIEST and ARIEL:
The NFL’s Forgotten Gold Medalist!
As usual during the staging of the Summer Olympics, numerous stars are born, discovered,
From Underdogs to Champions: The Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI Victory
The New England Patriots victory in Super Bowl XXXVI was a defining moment in
NFL All-Time Coaching Wins: A Top 5 Countdown
It’s NFL trivia time! Who holds the coveted title of the winningest coach in