FAIRFIELD, OH (September 15, 2023)— By vocation, Local 12’s Bob Herzog is a morning guy; but on Friday, October 27, he’ll be up late to receive an award that bears the name of a Cincinnati icon.
The 8th Annual Miracle Ball supporting The Nuxhall Foundation and the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields will take place on Friday, October 27, 2023 at The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield. The event, presented by The Hatton Foundation, begins at 6pm.
Each year at the Miracle Ball, The Nuxhall Foundation honors an individual with The Joe Nuxhall Humanitarian Award for making a significant impact on our society in a positive manner, just as The Ole Lefthander did throughout his career.
This year’s Nuxhall Humanitarian Award winner is Local 12’s Bob Herzog, anchor and host of the region’s top-ranked morning news show, Good Morning Cincinnati.
"The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields are where hope and happiness live," says Herzog. "And everyone who visits gets to bring some of that with them wherever they go. I’ve experienced it. So, to be given something else by this place—beyond the gift of hope and happiness—is something that’s hard to comprehend. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community that works so hard to do good things, and to be among those who volunteer time and treasure to make the world a better place."
“Bob Herzog is the type of broadcaster who honors my Dad’s legacy with his character, his giving spirit, his enthusiasm, and his love for Cincinnati,” says Nuxhall Foundation President and Board Chairman Kim Nuxhall. “It’s hard to sum up the impact that Bob has had on our organization and the dozens of non-profits he serves. The Nuxhall Foundation is better and more fun because Bob Herzog has been there at every single turn, supporting us by putting his talents on display to spread love and joy to those we serve.”
In February, Herzog was notified of his selection for the award during a surprise announcement live on Local 12 with his co-anchor, Sheila Gray, and 2022 Nuxhall Humanitarian Award Winner, Cincinnati Reds batboy Teddy Kremer.
Previous recipients of The Nuxhall Humanitarian Award include Joe’s broadcast partner and Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, former Reds first basemen Sean Casey, Cincinnati Bengals and NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz, the family of Lance Corporal Taylor B. Prazynski, Cincinnati Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank, and Local 12’s Sheila Gray. In 2022, Teddy Kremer was given the award in front of a sellout crowd.
Herzog’s morning desk partner and 2019 Nuxhall Humanitarian Award Winner Sheila Gray reflected on what makes Bob special and how important the award is to him.
“Bob and I have conversations all the time about some of the terrible things we have to report,” says Gray. “That’s why it’s such a gift for us to be involved in the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields and to see the joy on the faces of our special needs all-stars and their families. Bob would do and give anything for this cause, as he does for so many good causes in the Tri-State. There are not enough words to describe his unbounding energy and generosity. He is more than deserving of this award that pays tribute to Joe Nuxhall, an icon in his own right.”
Proceeds from the Miracle Ball help to support the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in their ongoing quest to create and maintain the world’s most inclusive recreational campus for athletes with physical and developmental disabilities. In addition to dinner and drinks, the event will feature both a silent auction and a live auction emceed by Herzog and Nuxhall Foundation Executive Director Tyler Bradshaw, with special guest Brent Suter, a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. The event will conclude with an award ceremony honoring Herzog and featuring a number of guest speakers paying tribute to his accomplishments, including Bob’s longtime morning show partner, John Lomax, and current Local 12 co-host Jen Dalton.
Back by popular demand is an exclusive after-party at The Oscar Station presented by The Hatton Foundation. Guests who purchase an additional after-party ticket will retreat to The Oscar Station for elevated ballpark fare creatively cultivated by Jungle Jim’s executive chef, desserts, live music from Fifth Crow, and more. The after party takes place from 10pm to 1am.
The Miracle Ball and the After Party are presented by The Hatton Foundation. The Hatton Foundation and Executive Director Walt Lunsford of 9258 Wealth Management have a long and storied history of supporting The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, having awarded a half-million dollar matching grant to build the facility in 2011.
“The Miracle Ball is special because it brings so many good people together under one roof to rally around Joe Nuxhall’s legacy and the cause he inspired,” says Tyler Bradshaw, Executive Director of The Nuxhall Foundation. “That legacy lives on because people like Bob Herzog and all of our supporters have given their all to make it happen. At this year’s event, we look forward to honoring them, thanking them, having a ton of fun, and fueling our dreams for decades to come.”
Limited tickets are currently on sale for the event at www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org/miracleball. Tickets to the Miracle Ball are $150 each or $1,200 for a table of eight guests. After-party tickets are an additional $75 per guest. Event sponsorship opportunities are also available for corporations and individuals to support the event. Individuals or companies interested in sponsoring the event should contact Nuxhall Foundation Executive Director Tyler Bradshaw at tyler@nuxhallmiracleleague.org or (513) 839-6164.
About The Nuxhall Foundation
The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall. A central project of The Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. More than 200 players between ages 4 to 80 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields.
For more information, visit http://www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.
About 2023 Nuxhall Humanitarian Award Winner Bob Herzog
Bob joined the team at Local 12 in 2005, but his Cincinnati roots run deep. A West Side native, Bob is a graduate of Oak Hills High School and Xavier University. Bob also obtained a law degree from the Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. Bob and his wife, Cali, have four children: Chloe, Sam, Danny, and Emma. Bob’s high-energy persona and characteristic wit and sense of humor has made him one of the most popular television news stars Greater Cincinnati has ever seen. Bob’s connection and service to the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields has helped the organization further it’s mission of “doing the best we can for as many as we can for as long as we can.” Since the event’s inception, Bob has served as an emcee and celebrity auctioneer at the Miracle Ball, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support recreational opportunities and offerings for special needs athletes. In 2022, Bob hosted an on-field dance party at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, using his enthusiasm and fun-loving personality to create a memorable experience for the athletes and families who participated. In addition, Bob is a regular participant in the NUXY Bash, a celebrity softball game that commemorates Joe Nuxhall’s birthday.
For all media inquiries or to schedule an appearance, please contact:
Tyler Bradshaw
(513) 839-6164
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