Who Is On Your Mount Redsmore?

Several months ago, ESPN ran a piece on the Mount Rushmore of sports.  People could go online to discuss what four sports figures would be on their state's Sports Rushmore.  Ohio's list ended up being Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Jack Nicklaus, and Jesse Owens.

ESPN Page 2's David Schoenfield listed the Mount Rushmore figures for each MLB team, along with a brief rationale as to why.  He claims to have included anyone affiliated with the franchise—players, managers, owners, announcers, and mascots. 

The Reds' are Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Barry Larkin.  Now, it is hard to argue with the accomplishments of any of those players.  Rose is baseball's all-time hit leader.  Hall of Famer Bench is still regarded by many as the greatest catcher that ever played.  Morgan won two NL MVP awards and is also a Hall of Famer.  Larkin won an MVP award and was the face of the franchise until he retired in 2004.

However, something got me as I was reading some other team's selections.  Harry Caray (Cubs), Bob Prince (Pirates), Ernie Harwell (Tigers), and Dave Niehaus (Mariners) are all on their team's list and are all broadcasters.  Ever hear of Joe Nuxhall?

Joe Nuxhall was Cincinnati Reds' baseball.  He had a good career as a player, becoming a two time NL all-star and leading the league in shutouts in 1955.  He won 135 games, all but five as a member of the Reds.  He retired as a player in April 1967 and spent the rest of his life broadcasting Reds' games.  His trademark phrase, "Rounding third and heading for home" is displayed on the side of Great American Ball Park.  He was not just a Reds baseball icon, but probably the most loved person (sports or non-sports) in Cincinnati.

So who do you take off the list?  I would swap Joes, replacing Morgan with Nuxhall.  Morgan was a great player and vital part of the Big Red Machine,  no sane person will dispute that.  My rationale for removing Little Joe is, he also played for four other teams (five if you separate the Colt .45s/Astros).  He has also had a very successful broadcasting career with ESPN, which has established his reputation on a national level.  Nuxhall came into this world as a Cincinnati kid.  He left as a Cincinnati legend.