Lonny Frey began his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1938 and instantly matured into one of the premier defensive anchors of the Senior Circuit. He possessed a specialized ability to read the ball off the bat, a gift that fueled the Reds' rise to consecutive National League pennants in 1939 and 1940. During this window, he was a model of defensive efficiency, embarking on a remarkable five-year run where he finished in the top five in defensive bWAR, culminating in a first-place finish in 1940. He wasn't just a steady glove; he was a tactical technician who provided the pitching staff with an elite margin for error during the most high-stakes seasons in the club's history.

The most impressive aspect of his game was that he never allowed his defensive focus to overshadow his contributions at the plate. Frey was a master of the table-setting role, a trait he showcased most prominently in 1940 when he led the National League in stolen bases. He was a high-frequency producer who accumulated nearly 1,000 hits in a Reds uniform, proving he was a sophisticated offensive threat who could disrupt a game from the base paths. His craftsmanship earned him three All-Star selections during his stay, and he remained the heart of the infield until he answered the call to serve his country during World War II.

While his offensive production dipped during the club's two World Series appearances, most notably in 1940 when a painful foot injury limited him to just two at-bats, his defensive poise remained a vital asset. He was a fixture of the organization for nine seasons, using his world-class range to solidify a championship culture that defined the pre-war era. He proved that a player could become a franchise icon through a rare combination of grit, speed, and defensive mastery.

After his return from military service, Frey’s contract was sold to the Chicago Cubs. With the Reds, Frey recorded 962 hits, 533 runs scored, and 101 stolen bases while earning three All-Star nods.  The ultimate recognition of his impact came in 1961, when the organization provided the final punctuation to his career.  In a ceremony that celebrated his role as the defensive heartbeat of two pennant winners, Lonny Frey was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Nuxhall’s entry into the professional ranks remains one of the most remarkable footnotes in the history of the sport. In 1944, with the talent pool thinned by military service, the Reds turned to a local fifteen-year-old with a live arm. While his debut lasted less than an inning and came with the expected nerves of a teenager on a Major League mound, it established a record for the youngest player in modern history that will likely stand forever. He returned to the organization seven years later as a mature athlete, proving that he was far more than a wartime curiosity by carving out a permanent spot in the rotation.

The zenith of his effectiveness arrived during the mid-1950s, a period during which he emerged as a premier left-handed force in the National League. Nuxhall was a master of the middle-rotation role, a technician who used his experience to outmaneuver hitters across two different decades. Between 1955 and 1956, he reached a peak of national recognition, earning back-to-back All-Star selections and proving that he had the resilience to thrive long after his historic debut. He wasn't just a volume pitcher; he was a consistent producer who secured 130 victories in a Reds uniform, navigating the challenges of a heavy workload with a focused intensity that made him a central figure in the post-war era.

His presence was defined by a deep-seated loyalty and a charismatic, approachable nature that resonated with the Cincinnati faithful. Nuxhall spent all but one of his sixteen seasons with the club, a Red in every practical sense of the word. Whether he was grinding through a complete game at Crosley Field or maintaining his composure during a high-leverage rally, he competed with a local pride that solidified his status as a neighborhood hero. He proved that a player could become the heartbeat of a franchise through a rare combination of longevity and a relentless commitment to the organization’s success.

The playing chapter reached its competitive conclusion in 1966, but his influence on the city only grew in the years that followed. He transitioned seamlessly from the dugout to the broadcast booth, spending over thirty years narrating the triumphs of the "Big Red Machine" and the generations that followed. He left the diamond as a statistical titan of the franchise, but he remained a permanent fixture in the hearts of the fans along the Ohio River.

As a member of the Reds, Nuxhall compiled a 130-109 record with 1,289 strikeouts and a 3.80 ERA across 2,171.1 innings.

The organization recognized the singular magnitude of his contribution shortly after his retirement. In 1968, Joe Nuxhall was officially inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, a fitting punctuation on a legacy that began with a fifteen-year-old’s dream.

We are going to need a history lesson to start off this one.

Will White was a member of the original Cincinnati Reds in the National League and played there for three seasons before the team was expelled from the NL because its owner refused to stop selling beer.  White would sign with the Detroit Wolverines for a year but returned to Cincinnati when they got a team in the American Association in 1881 (Cincinnati Red Stockings).  That team evolved into the Reds, and the original Reds are not part of the canon that is recognized by Major League Baseball; his accomplishments as a Red do not count, but as a Red Stocking do. 

Got it?

Let’s move on!

As one of the first bespectacled players of note, White would promptly lead the AA in Wins in his first two seasons as a Red Stocking, which was also complemented by an ERA Title.  His tally in Cincinnati (again, only the second version) saw him with an outstanding .663 Winning Percentage of .663 (136-69).  He also completed 204 of his 208 Starts with a WHIP of 1.096.  Not bad for someone who looked like he was an old school accountant!

Cincinnati inducted White into its Hall of Fame in 2004.

October 24 – 30, 1960

Brenda Lee

I Want to be Wanted