CINCY’S JOE NUXHALL ROUNDS THIRD AND REACHES HOME: Sad day today in Cincinnati, where Porkopolis’ favorite son, Joe Nuxhall, passed last night at 79. Nuxsie, who was the youngest player in major league history after making his debut with the Reds at 16 15(!), had been battling cancer for some time.

Most Southern Ohioans and Northern Kentuckians knew him as a longtime Reds announcer, part of the “Marty and Joe” team (with Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman) that called Reds games for over 30 years.Here’s SbB Girl Colene and the Joe Nuxhall statue outside of Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati:

Usually it’s a sad day when someone dies, but anybody who knew Joe understands that if anyone got the most out of life it was him. He’ll be missed - especially in the press box.

AVERY DENIES MAKING FUN OF PLAYER BATTLING CANCER: Hockey tough guy and stick enthusiast Sean Avery is taking off the gloves in his most vicious fight yet - he’s suing a Toronto radio reporter for libel:

The NEW YORK POST skates over the news that the Rangers winger denies making pre-game comments about a Maple Leafs player suffering from cancer.

Howard Berger of The FAN 590 reported that during warmups, Avery made remarks about Jason Blake’s battle with leukemia. Leafs teammate Darcy Tucker didn’t appreciate the words, and went after Avery. The two were separated but later fought it out in the 1st period.

WAY OFFSIDE slides over video of both the in-game and pre-game fisticuffs between Avery and Tucker:

The TORONTO STAR reports that Avery is meeting with the NHL front office about Saturday night’s skirmish, and could face possible fines. And it’s not the first time his mouth has managed to get the roughneck in trouble.Avery previously denied accusations that he called Georges Laraque, who is black, a “monkey” during a 2005 game.

Despite the threat of legal action, Berger says he stands by his reporting.

All of this, just because Elisha Cuthbert dumped poor ol’ Sean. Well, he can always comfort himself in his lovely cashmere throw.

CAL KEPT THROWBACKS SECRET; TREE-SITTER FALLS DOWN: The California Golden Bears surprised fans in Strawberry Canyon with their throwback uniforms on Saturday. And to insure the surprise, Cal’s players had to sign off on the clothes, promising not to tell anyone before the game.

INSIDE USC reports that the Bears had to put their John Hancocks on confidentiality agreements before donning the duds last weekend. Cal had worn the uniforms in honor of Joe Roth, a former Bears QB in the mid-70s whose promising career and life was cut short by cancer.

But the throwback threads didn’t help the Bears on the rainy night, as they sank to a 24-17 defeat at the hands of the Trojans.

Meanwhile, conditions weren’t any better for a protester living in the oaks outside of Memorial Stadium.

The SAN JOSE MERCURY news reports a tree-sitter was injured when he fell 30 feet from his high perch. Nathaniel Hill was hanging on a suspended traverse when he slipped, suffering a broken arm & leg in the fall.A group has been living in the trees for almost a year, in protest of the University’s plans to cut the oaks down and build a sports training center.

But an Alameda County judge wants the protesters to make like the trees they’re living in, and leave. The judge recently ruled that the tree-sitters are breaking the law, and must come down or face fines, jail time, or both.

Seems like a lot more limbs - tree or otherwise - might be broken in the next week or two.

IRISH COACH WEIS TAKES TIME TO HOST CANCER PATIENT: It’s easy to dump all over Charlie Weis, with the way Notre Dame’s season is turning out. (Ending a 43-year winning streak over Navy, anyone?)

But even as the luck of the Irish runs out all around him, Weis still finds time to brighten the lives of those less fortunate:

The SIOUX CITY (IA) JOURNAL reports how the ND coach hosted a visit from Tom Hueser, a 75-year-old cancer patient from Iowa.The disease had recently spread from his colon to his spine. And Tom’s first wife died from cancer over 30 years ago. Hueser had also faced other hardships, such as losing a son in a car accident and losing his farm to bankruptcy.

But Hueser’s daughter sent Weis a letter about her dad’s situation, and the Irish coach ended up inviting the whole family to South Bend. Weis spoke with the family, brought them to the pre-game luncheon, and gave them sideline passes for ND’s game against USC.

Of the experience, Hueser remarked, “I met with Coach Weis for 20 to 30 minutes. He was so personable. We didn’t talk about football, we talked about life.”So, as Irish fans wail and moan about the terrible year they’ve suffered, sometimes it’s good to sit back and count your blessings. You may not have wins, but at least you have your health.