Ernie Harwell says goodbye to Tigers fans

[Smasher_Sloan]

Must have been quite a moment. They stopped the game and Ernie Harwell came out and addressed fans.

The columns:

Bob Wojnowski:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090917/OPINION03/909170391/1004/Ernie-Harwell-s-farewell-comes-amid-tears-and-cheers

Michael Rosenberg:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090917/COL22/909170604/1048/sports/Fans-will-hear-Harwell-forever

Drew Sharp:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090917/COL08/909170590/1048/sports/Bless-you--Ernie

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

Also posted this on the baseball thread, here's a link to a Steve Kornacki column. It also has video of Harwell's short speech in the third inning.

http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2009/09/in_the_face_of_death_ernie_har.html

 

[DanOregon]

Growing up on the West Coast, I didn't get to hear Harwell until he started doing the radio network games for the World Series. What a treat. Harwell is simply one of the all-timers.

 

[playthrough]

Great stuff from all those columnists. And that video...pure class. What an icon.

 

[imjustagirl]

Ernie still sounds strong. Will be a sad day indeed when he passes.

 

[bigpern23]

His voice is pure baseball ... just perfect chords and cadence for the boys of summer.

I met him once when I was a cub (not Cubs) reporter and he was quite gracious. My friend and I did a baseball road trip and we had press credentials at Comerica. My friends dad grew up a Tigers fan and ADORES Ernie Harwell.

As we walked through the press box before the game, Ernie left his booth to grab a drink or something and we walked almost smack into him. My friend told him how much his father loved growing up listening to him and how he was going to be jealous that his son got a chance to meet him. I don't even really remember exactly what Ernie said in response - I think he just thanked him for the kind words and said he was blessed to have a job he loves - but seeing him speak and hearing his voice, all I could think of was, "THAT'S how a radio announcer should sound."

Definitely one of the highlights of my young career.

 

[mustangj17]

Ernie still sounds strong. Will be a sad day indeed when he passes.

Couldn't believe how good he looked walking out on the field. He's 91 and dying of cancer and he's walking like a healthy 70-year-old.

 

[WolvEagle]

I can't think of anyone in Michigan, from any walk of life, who is more beloved than Ernie.

 

[forever_town]

Great anecdotes from Brandon Inge about being the only current Tiger to have played while Harwell was the broadcaster.

 

[I Should Coco]

Thanks for the links -- both to the video and to the Sharp column.

When snow, mud and cold was all around me during my time in upper/northern Michigan, the voice of Ernie over the airwaves told me that despite the weather, summer was on its way. A great announcer (even though the Tigers were horrible then) and, from all accounts, a great, done-to-earth gentleman.

His voice still sounds strong, and despite his physical woes, he seems to be very strong spiritually. I wish him the best in whatever time he has left.

 

[Det. Jimmy McNulty]

I can't think of anyone in Michigan, from any walk of life, who is more beloved than Ernie.

Yeah, well Bo sure ****ed that up in the early 90s. I hope he's rotting in hell.

 

[Det. Jimmy McNulty]

Here's to Ernie from a White Sox fan. You're still the man, Ernie.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

Ernie also made an appearance at the Lions-Vikings game this past Sunday.

 

[crusoes]

Ernie was forgiving. We can be, too.

 

[buckweaver]

Some great audio clips here (via Freep):

http://bit.ly/ClDwg

 

[Starman]

Great anecdotes from Brandon Inge about being the only current Tiger to have played while Harwell was the broadcaster.

Yeah, no story would be complete without input from the ever-quotable Brandon Inge. : :

 

[Starman]

After dropping that little turd in the punch bowl, I'll turn back to the main topic: I was at the game Wednesday night, and everything everyone has said about Ernie Harwell is absolutely true.

I was a little disappointed a little bigger occasion wasn't made out of it, but it was entirely in keeping with Ernie's self-effacing personality. He looked good and hopefully he'll be with us a while longer, but his speech was an entirely fitting farewell.

It would certainly be great if he could see another World Series in Detroit, but my guess is he would be aghast at any maudlin "win one for Ernie" cliche-flogging. If it comes, it comes, and he'll accept it with the good spirits with which he accepts everything else.

 

[steveu]

I was also there and the video tribute was moving. Not a dry eye in the house. Then Ernie spoke and I thought the same thing: Boy, he's getting around pretty well for being 91 with an inoperable tumor.

It was a great night for a game, a good night to listen to Ernie... and the Tigers actually won. They haven't been doing much of that lately.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

Some great audio clips here (via Freep):

http://bit.ly/ClDwg

He has a Audio Scrapbook out as well. Four disc set for $19.99. Interviews and clips from his career. Highly recommend.

http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Harwells-Audio-Scrapbook-Set/dp/B001V7BMO4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1253601268&sr=8-2


Ernie also has six books out of his stories in baseball.

 

[WolvEagle]

I can't think of anyone in Michigan, from any walk of life, who is more beloved than Ernie.

Yeah, well Bo sure ****ed that up in the early 90s. I hope he's rotting in hell.

Bo later said that the guy who really pulled the trigger was WJR's general manager, who refused to answer press inquiries, therefore ducked the blame. So, it all was heaped on Bo. The GM also has since died.

I was on duty that night, and was sent out to Domino's franchises. The phones were absolutely dead in those stores.