Rixey was best known as the National League's leader in career victories for a left-hander with 266 wins until Warren Spahn surpassed his total in 1959.

He was discovered by umpire Cy Rigler, who convinced him to sign directly with the Phillies, bypassing minor league baseball entirely.

An intellectual who taught high school Latin during the off-season, earning the nickname "Jephtha" for his southern drawl, Rixey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963.

[2] Rixey originally declined, saying he wanted to be a chemist, but Rigler insisted, even offering a substantial portion of the bonus he received for signing a player.

The National League, upon hearing of the deal, created a rule that prohibits umpires from signing players.

[2] Rixey joined the Phillies for the 1912 season without playing a single game of minor league baseball.

[7] Rixey's record improved to 11–12 in 1915, and his earned run average was 2.39 as the Phillies won the National League pennant and played the Boston Red Sox in the 1915 World Series.

[7] On June 29, Rixey pitched a four-hit shutout against the New York Giants, facing the minimum 27 batters, because of three double plays, and a player caught stealing.

[7] Rixey hated losing and was known for destroying the team locker room, or disappearing for days at a time after a loss.

[2] He missed the 1918 season to serve in the Chemical Warfare Division of the United States army during the war effort.

[7] Prior to the 1920 season, rumours circulated that his former manager, Pat Moran, now with the Cincinnati Reds, was interested in trading for Rixey.

[14][15] On November 22, 1920, Rixey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Jimmy Ring and Greasy Neale.

[16] In his first season with the Reds, Rixey won 19 games, and set a Major League record by allowing just one home run in 301 innings pitched.

"[19] Originally Rixey had trouble controlling his speed, but eventually, weighing in at 210 pounds, he became one of the most feared pitchers in baseball.

[17] Throughout his long career, Rixey charmed teammates and fans with his dry wit and big Southern drawl.

[16] Rob Neyer called Rixey the fourth best pitcher in Reds history behind Bucky Walters, Paul Derringer and teammate Dolf Luque.

[2] He also held the record for most seasons pitched by a National League left-hander until Steve Carlton broke it in 1986.

Eventually he teamed up with other college graduates Joe Oeschger and Stan Baumgartner and the hazing lessened to a degree.