GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day starting pitcher Andrew Abbott saw it as he was shopping online last November, and he had to have it. For sale was a Joe Nuxhall baseball card. He quickly made the purchase and added it as a prized part of his baseball card collection.
Abbott already knew a lot about The Ol’ left-hander from Cincinnati. Abbott already knew that by wearing the No. 41 on his uniform, he was honoring Nuxhall. The baseball card was yet another way to remember him. It wasn’t an impulse buy. Not even close.
“Joe was an outstanding guy in the community,” Abbott said. “A great player for the Reds. A great representative. Great family.”
When Abbott debuted in 2023 and saw No. 41 in his locker, senior director of clubhouse operations Rick Stowe told him he had a lot to live up to. Stowe told him, “There has been a laundry list of guys who have worn it. You’ve got a lot to live up to.”
Abbott said, “I’ll do my best.”
Abbott and Nuxhall share a few things in common. They’re two of 16 left-handed Reds pitchers who have been named All-Stars. On Thursday, Abbott will join Nuxhall as one of 19 left-handed pitchers to make an Opening Day start for the Reds.
The last Reds’ starting pitcher who wore No. 41 on the mound on Opening Day was Aaron Harang in 2008. It was the first Opening Day following Nuxhall’s death. For pregame introductions, the Reds made No. 41 uniforms with the Nuxhall name on the back for every single player. Harang received special permission to wear the uniform for the game, which he did as a way to honor Nuxhall.
Abbott will be honoring Nuxhall when he takes the mound on Thursday.
When Abbott received the jersey number on a full-time basis in 2023, he didn’t have any connection to the No. 41. He does now.
The first time that he met the Nuxhall family, he told them, “I appreciate you guys letting me use the number.”
“They’ve been so welcoming,” Abbott said.
Abbott, a 26-year-old from Virginia, was five years old when Nuxhall retired full-time from broadcasting in 2004. Everything that Abbott has learned about Nuxhall has been through the lens of Reds’ history.
He learned that Nuxhall made his big league debut at 15 years old in 1944.
“It honestly blew me away,” Abbott said. “From what I’ve read and what I know, he did a good job. I debuted at 24. That’s nine years. A big difference.”
He learned what Nuxhall meant to the city of Cincinnati.
“His whole life was with Cincinnati,” Abbott said. “That’s pretty cool.”
Abbott said that he has had conversations with Marty Brennaman about what Nuxhall was like as a broadcaster.
And Abbott has learned a lot about Nuxhall, the philanthropist.
Abbott’s mother is a special education teacher, so the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League is a cause that’s “near and dear” to his heart.
“I love what (The Nuxhall Foundation) stands for,” Abbott said. “I’ll be a part of it whatever way possible.”
Abbott has been a part of a few camps hosted by the Reds’ RBI program. He has played in Nuxhall’s golf outing. He’s hoping to be a part of the Miracle League this year. He also just collaborated with Cincy Hat, and sales from a No. 41 hat that recognizes Abbott and Nuxhall will directly support The Nuxhall Foundation
“The outreach is incredible, and they do a lot of good for Cincinnati,” Abbott said. “We’re talking about how to further the message, what can we do. Any way we can go further would be amazing.”
On Thursday, Abbott will drive down Joe Nuxhall Way in downtown Cincinnati as he arrives at the ballpark. Fans will be lining up to get in right when the games open, congregating around the Joe Nuxhall statue. Throughout his Reds’ career, Abbott has been a very strong candidate for the “Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award” that the media hands out every season.
Abbott stepping onto the mound on Opening Day wearing No. 41 will be another way that the Reds honor Nuxhall.
“He deserves every bit of it,” Abbott said. “I couldn’t be more proud to wear (No. 41).”
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