Nuxhall finalist for Frick award

Joe Nuxhall is one of 10 finalists for the Baseball Hall of Fame's 2004 Ford C. Frick Award. Nuxhall, the 37-year veteran of the Reds' radio booth, was one of three finalists named to the list in online voting. "How this thing came about - the fan voting - is very special," Nuxhall said. So special that Nuxhall is rethinking his retirement. "With the fans' support - I feel like I'm running out on them," he said. Nuxhall is slated to work 60 games in 2004 and fully retire in 2005, but he said he would meet with Reds chief operating officer John Allen Wednesday about revising that plan. Nuxhall, who is battling lymphoma, said he is feeling fine. "Everything is good," he said. "The doctors are real pleased." The winner of the Frick award will be selected by the 20-member Frick Committee. The board includes Nuxhall's partner Marty Brennaman, the 2000 recipient of the award. The Frick winner will be announced in February.

Reds' return to 'The Jake' official

Baseball's Battle of Ohio will be back at Jacobs Field next season after all. The Cleveland Indians announced Thursday they will renew their interleague rivalry with the Cincinnati Reds at home with a three-game series at the Jake from June 11-13. The Indians originally were scheduled to host the Montreal Expos on those dates, but the club asked Major League Baseball to drop the Expos and replace them with the Reds. The Indians, who lead the all-time series 15-12, will play at Cincinnati on July 2-4.

Krenzel's got the grades

Ohio State quarterback Craig Krenzel has been named winner of the Draddy Award, otherwise known as the "Academic Heisman." Presented by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, the Draddy is given to the nation's top student-athlete and carries with it a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Krenzel, who has a 3.68 GPA in molecular genetics, was earlier named 2003 Academic All-American of the Year. He also has received The Sporting News' Socrates Academic Award and three times won OSU's Academic Achievement Award. Krenzel last season led the Buckeyes to their first national championship in 34 years and will close his career Jan. 2 in the Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State.

Neil Schmidt