Quote:
Originally Posted by redsupport
Ken Johnson itched the no hitter, Nellie Fox made an error the reds won, Johnson pitched not Wilson
|
You are corect. As I warned, I have my memories crossed a little bit.
My best Nuxhall story though is not a major league baseball story.
Several years back when Joe's autobiography was published, my father was in his final days. He was something of a contemporary of Joe's and had been a pretty fair high school, legion, then semipro catcher himself for several years.
One way or another after his debut with the Reds at age 15 and playing some in the minors, Nuxhall had gotten his amateur status at least partially restored (to borrow a phrase, it is in the book) and played locally for a year or two before going back to his pro career. During this period ny father had faced Joe a time or two in either an American Legion or Semipro game.
When my father was in his last month of life he went to one of the book signings Joe was having in the area. My dad was in a wheel chair. They had Joe on a temporary stage with no handicap access. When my dad's turn came, somebody with the store started to take the book and hand it up to Joe; but, Joe saw the situation and came down off the stage to sign the book and have a few words with my dad. I wasn't there myself but whatever Joe said about what he remembered made my dad's day and then some. That turned out to be my dad's last outing; and thanks to Joe, I think it gave him a very special memory to savor in his last couple of weeks.