By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Joe Nuxhall, looking chipper in a bright red sport coat and red, white and blue tie, said Tuesday night he has received good medical news.

"My white cell count is good, and I'm cleared to drive to Florida (today) and go on the cruise (of the West Caribbean) Saturday," he said.

Nuxhall, 75, was diagnosed last month with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

He was feted Tuesday night by 800 people at a sold-out dinner for the Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund. The program, titled "A Tribute to Joe Nuxhall," was held at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center.

More than $100,000 was raised from the dinner. The fund establishes a permanent account to support education projects in Fairfield and Butler County.

Nuxhall, a Hamilton native and longtime Fairfield resident, has been with the Reds for 52 seasons. The upcoming one will be his 53rd.

Among the attendees at the Nuxie tribute were former teammates Jim O'Toole and Ed Bailey, and former Reds Ron Oester, Paul O'Neill, Chris Welsh and Ray Knight.

The master of ceremonies was Marty Brennaman, Nuxhall's radio partner for 30 years. They are baseball's longest-running radio team.

Brennaman is an enshrinee in the broadcaster's wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. Many Reds fans believe Nuxhall should be in there with him. Now, those fans have the opportunity to register their support.

This month only, people can nominate three baseball broadcasters to fill out the 10-member Frick Award ballot that will be announced in December and voted on by a 20-member committee in March. Among those committee members are the 14 living enshrinees of the writer's wing in Cooperstown.

Nominations are being solicited at www.baseballhalloffame.org via a link to the Frick Award. The 150 candidates who have 10 or more consecutive years of experience broadcasting major league baseball are listed on the site.