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.
It was a steamy June 10 afternoon at Crosley Field.
The St. Louis Cardinals were wearing out the Cincinnati Reds up 13-0 in the ninth inning. Cincinnati manager Bill McKechnie sent a teenager, a month shy of his 16th, birthday to the mound.
Joe Nuxhall was about to pitch to one of the best hitters in the history of baseball but he had other hitters to take care of first. The youngster retired George Fallon on a ground ball but walked pitcher Morton Cooper. He induced Augie Bergamo to pop out before the reality of his situation stepped into the on deck circle.
A thin Denora, Pennsylvania native stepped into the on deck circle as Nuxhall tried to pitch to Debs Garms.
Stan Musial was waiting next and Nuxhall realized then and there where he was. Musial all of 24 himself was already showing signs of a Hall of Fame career.
"I was pitching to seventh, eighth and ninth -graders, kids 13 and 14 years old," Nuxhall, who passed away in 2007 recalled. "All of a sudden I look up and there's Stan Musial. It was a very scary situation."
Nuxhall didn't get another out in the big leagues for seven years and Musial was a star by then.
Stanley Frank Musial was born on November 21, 1920 in Denora, Pennsylvania, the son of Polish immigrants. He was 6'0" tall and 175 pounds. He coiled up in the batter's box in an unorthodox batting stance and uncoiled with such force that he launched 475 home runs among his 3,630 hits.
Like Nuxhall a gentleman to the end Stan the Man died on Saturday at the age of 92.
Although his last game was against the Cincinnati Reds on September 29, 1963, he remained in baseball with the same Cardinal organization for which he played, all of his 22 seasons.
Nuxhall was there. The day before, the "Old Lefthander" pitched a complete game against the Cardinals and retired Musial in both of his plate appearances. The pair faced each other 140 more times over their respective careers. Only Willie Mays faced Nuxhall more times. Musial had 32 hits off Nuxhall including, two home runs.
Nine years after his retirement from baseball another Denora, Pa native was born on November 21. Ken Griffey Jr. was born on the same date, in the same town as Stan the Man. Griffey's grandfather, Buddy Griffey, played amateur baseball with Musial.
Musial recalled, "Buddy was a good player but he was lefthanded and played thirdbase."
Griffey belted 630 home runs in his own 22-year career. Musial's 3,630 hits was over 500 hits better than Griffey managed, however. Musial hit 201 more doubles and 139 more triples than the younger Denora native.
Griffey and Musial posed for a picture together when Jr. was with the Seattle Mariners during an annual Hall of Fame game in Cooperstown, New York. Brian Goldberg, Griffey's agent, still keeps a copy on his wall.
On November 16, 2007, Nuxhall, "The Old Lefthander" rounded the sun for the last time and headed home. Stan the Man just joined him, and I'm sure their is a lot of baseball talk in heaven today.
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