Nuxhall snub disappoints local fans

from the Journal-News

He ONLY got almost 80,000 fan votes - accounting for almost 2/3rds of the total votes cast. The outpouring of support for Joe edged out the previous voting record by Almost 30,000 Votes!

Talk about a "blown call"!

HAMILTON — Baseball fans across Butler County were shocked and disappointed Tuesday, Feb. 19, to learn that baseball's top honor for broadcasters did not go to Hamilton's native son, Joe Nuxhall.

"I never thought that would happen," said Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan.

This followed an unprecedented push for the award after Nuxhall's death in November. The former Cincinnati Reds pitcher and announcer became a finalist by shattering fan voting records with 82,304 votes.

Even the Ohio Senate backed Nuxhall, with 33 senators urging the National Baseball Hall of Fame to hand Nuxhall the award.

County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette led the push for online votes, urging residents across the county to "vote for Joe."

"In baseball, when the umpire makes a bad call — and I'm going to do this on behalf of the 82,304 voters who voted for Joe — I give them (the award committee) a great big fat boo," Jolivette said.

But Jolivette said he was undaunted.

"It was a vote to try to get him in the hall, but it was also a vote to say 'Thank you Joe,'" he said. "Next year, we'll do it again."

Officials said they are finding their own ways to honor Nuxhall. He received keys to both Hamilton and Fairfield before he died. And both cities and the county are planning memorials of the local legend.

Cincinnati Reds Spokesman Rob Butcher said it was an honor that Nuxhall was even nominated, and he simply didn't get in because of the talent of the other broadcasters.

"I think getting in as a broadcaster and a writer is just as difficult as it is to get in as a player," Butcher said. "The very elite of the very elite get in. Just being on the ballot made Joe proud and made us proud."

But that didn't take the edge off for Nuxhall's fans. "He should have gotten it," said Hamilton resident Bryant McCoy. "I didn't know him that well, but he's been a legend all my life."