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
Harry Ghaul: The Best Punter in Cardinals’ History, Who Wasn’t
Every so often, we encounter a football story that just screams to be shared.
Roy Lopez: From Childhood Fan to Arizona Cardinals Player
In professional sports, it’s not uncommon to hear stories of athletes achieving their childhood
FIFA World Cup Finals: Which Is the Greatest Ever?
A World Cup final is a rare event that happens only once every four
Mike Listro’s Weightlifting Legacy: Strength, Determination, and Breaking Records
Mike Listro began lifting weights in his basement at thirteen after watching the movie
George Pjura: American Weightlifting Ageless Wonder
Few sports fans have heard of George Pjura. One reason is that Olympic Weightlifting
The New York Yankees in 1980: A Tale of Determination
After winning back-to-back World Series in 1977 & 1978, the New York Yankees had
Two Safeties From The Miami Dolphins “No Name Defense”
During the first half of the 1970s, the Miami Dolphins had a couple of
Long Shot & Hot Favorites: Discussing Historical Super Bowl Winners’ Betting Odds
When the Philadelphia Eagles walked off the field of Caesars Superdome last February, very