About Me

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I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Local Man Russ Nixon Was Close to Roger Maris 50 Years Ago

Russ Nixon 1961
Russ Nixon and his twin brother Roy grew up on Sand Run in western Hamilton County with a Cleves, Ohio mailing address.

They attended Western Hills High School and both were good enough to be signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1953.  Russ made his major league debut in 1957 with Cleveland along with another Indian farm hand, Roger Maris.  Roy hit .299 in five minor league seasons but alas did not make a major league roster.


Roger Maris 61st Home Run 1961 (click for video)

Russ, a catcher for Cleveland, Boston and Minnesota over 12 seasons, hit .268 in 906 games with 27 home runs and 266 RBI.  Later he became a major league manager with Cincinnati in 1982 and 83 and the Atlanta Braves from 1988 through the first half of 1990.  That Braves team showed signs of improvement late in the season, then reeled off a succession of division titles starting in 1991.


During a discussion with Mark Schmetzer about his book "Before the Machine" that celebrates the 50 year anniversary of the Reds NL championship season, it came to my attention that Nixon was so close to an historic event.


On October 1, 1961, Nixon's former teammate hit his 61st home run off Tracy Stallard.  Stallard had the pitch signaled to him by his catcher, Russ Nixon.



Before the Machine by Mark Schmetzer



Posted by Gary Schatz at 7:17 PM

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousMay 13, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    Russ and Roy are cousins to me on my Moms side. They are my Moms second cousins. Both were head and shoulders above everyone else literally and figuratively when it came to playing baseball on the west side of Cincinnati! Sorry to say that Russ is not doing very well these days. Please say a prayer or two for Russ and his family!

    Thanks!

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