By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds veteran broadcaster Joe Nuxhall relaxes in the broadcast booth at Great American Ball Park. (Craig Ruttle photo)

Joe Nuxhall admits he's having second thoughts. This is supposed to be Nuxhall's final year as a full-time member of the Reds radio team.

But Nuxhall is considering postponing retirement.

"It's something that's been running through my mind," he said. "But getting off those planes at 4 in the morning has a way of changing things.

"Right now, if I had to say, I'd say I'm leaning toward retiring. But I want to sit down with (Reds chief operating officer) John Allen and talk about it."

The plan is for Nuxhall to do 60 games in 2004, then fully retire in 2005.

"Sixty years in one business is a long time," Nuxhall said. "I wouldn't miss the travel. But I'd miss the guys. I'd miss the whole deal."

Nuxhall, 74, has been broadcasting Reds games since 1967. Counting his playing career, he's been with the organization for 59 years.

The Reds are dedicating a bronze statue to him Sunday at noon. Nuxhall, Ted Kluszewski, Ernie Lombardi and Frank Robinson will be immortalized in Crosley Terrace sculptures. Nuxhall's is the second of the four to be dedicated. Klu's was the first.

Regardless of whether he retires in 2005, Nuxhall doesn't want the statue to be the only reminder of him around the park.

"I'd like to continue in some capacity," he said. "If I could do something, where I'm around the guys, it would make it easier."

Nuxhall's 2004 schedule has not been determined.

"I know I want to do the series in Philadelphia and San Diego," he said. "That would mean I've played or broadcast in every stadium but Seattle and Baltimore."