Eppa Rixey - Legacy

Legacy

Originally Rixey had trouble controlling his speed, but eventually became one of the most feared pitchers in baseball according to reporters. Rixey was considered a pitcher with an "peculiar motion", who rarely walked a batter. Throughout his long career, the 210-pound Rixey charmed teammates and fans with his dry wit and big Southern drawl. His nonsensical nickname "Jephtha" seemed to capture his roots and amiable personality. Some writers thought "Jephtha" was a part of Rixey's real name, but it was likely invented by a Philadelphia sportswriter. Rob Neyer called Rixey the fourth best pitcher in Reds history behind Bucky Walters, Paul Derringer and teammate Dolf Luque.

His 266 career victories was the record for most wins by a left-handed pitcher in the National League until Warren Spahn broke it in 1959, however his 251 losses are an all-time record for left-handed pitchers. He also held the longevity record for most seasons pitched by a National League left-hander until Steve Carlton broke it in 1986. As time passed, support for Rixey to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame grew. He was also inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1958. In 1960, Rixey finished third in the balloting behind former teammate Edd Roush and Sam Rice (who was later inducted the same year as Rixey). Upon his election to the Hall of Fame on January 27, 1963, he was quoted as saying "They're really scraping the bottom of the barrel, aren't they?"

In 1969, he was named by Reds fans as the greatest left-handed pitcher in Reds history. The Reds Hall of Fame summed up his career: "He was the best left-hander ever to pitch for the Reds with a 179–148 record, 180 complete games, 23 shutouts and a 3.33 ERA in his 13 seasons."

In 1972 he was inducted into the first class of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

Rixey's childhood home in Culpeper still stands; it suffered some damage in the 2011 Virginia earthquake.