I knew this day was coming since September. It actually came later than I thought it would, based on all we heard about his diagnosis. But neither its inevitability nor its delay softens my sorrow. Ernie Harwell has died at the age of 92.
I wrote this back in September, but it bears repeating: I was a nervous kid, afraid of the dark and afraid of going to sleep
myself. My parents let me turn on the radio at night as I went to bed
and the talk, rather than the music, made me feel better. The voice
that gave me the most comfort was Ernie Harwell’s voice on WJR, which I
latched onto before I even truly realized it was describing a baseball
game.
Ernie put me to sleep most spring and summer nights for several years,
teaching me about baseball in the process. He also taught me that I
could enjoy it just as much if I could not actually see it, which I
can’t help but think is the reason why I enjoy writing up the “And That
Happened” recaps every day. I see very few of the games I
describe, but just because I don’t see them doesn’t mean that there
isn’t a story to be told. Information and flavor to be teased out.
Maybe you always have a thing for your first love, but I think I’m being
objective when I say that I have never encountered a better baseball
broadcaster than Ernie Harwell. How lucky that I had him putting me to
sleep when I was four years old as opposed to someone else. Would I
have even been a baseball fan if it was someone else’s voice on the
radio? I kinda doubt it.
Farwell, Ernie. Your like or equal will never be seen again.
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- BangkokGlenn - May 5, 2010 at 6:50 AM
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Is there any better memory than sitting outside in your back yard, late afternoon, neighbors mowing the lawn, the smell of fresh cut grass, favorite drink in hand, kids playing on the swing, and the voice of Ernie coming form a dozen portable radios around the street. If that dosen’t say “summer time” to you, then I feel a bit sad for what you missed. We will miss you Ernie, as we do all the other greats of the sport. Keep an eye or two on your Tigers from time to time.
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- Sad day - May 5, 2010 at 6:58 AM
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From a older feller who lived all over the Midwest, Ernie was a great one, my o my great. From early days of listening to Holly Cow Harey Carey do Redbird radio games in the Ozarks to stealing Tiger games from the West side of Lake Michigan. I do enjoy the modern way of enjoying baseball, but sure did love the experience of seeing a game through Ernie’s eyes.
I sat with goosebumps listening to Ernie a few years ago accept an award during a Royals broadcast.
For those who wish a taste of old style baseball broadcasts, Hall of Famer Denny Matthews still brings it home for the awful Kansas City Royals.
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- Catherine - May 5, 2010 at 7:38 AM
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Started listening to Ernie on WJR when I was in junior high, transistor radio next to my pillow. Passed my love of baseball to my kids and my grandson. . .truly our loss and heaven’s gain!
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- Tony - May 5, 2010 at 9:02 AM
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I have a strange story. When I was a little kid, I used to think, that if I died how would I be able to listen to Ernie and the tigers. I asked my mom a question, “Mom if I die can you make sure you put a radio in my coffin so I can hear Ernie”. She laughed. We will miss you Ernie.
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- William - May 5, 2010 at 9:19 AM
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What a sad and wonderful day. I lost my Grandfather 5 years ago. Tiger Stadium finall fell earlier this year, and now Ernie. To me baseball was my Grandfather, Ernie Harwell and Tiger Stadium.
Fortunately the three of them met on one September about 11 years ago. I had won a couple of reserved seats (the obstructed view ones for those that remember Tiger Stadium) and took my Grandpa. We had already made our annual pilgramage to Tiger Stadium, but since I had won the tickets I asked and Grandpa jumped at the chance. (His first game was in 1926, he saw the Tigers take on the Washington Senators in Ty Cobb’s last year as a Tiger). So we go to the game, get in early and are walking around the insides of Tiger Stadium, when who should we see striding up but Ernie Harwell. Well I flag Ernie down, “Mr. Harwell!” and he came walking on over. My Grandpa got to tell Ernie the story of his first game seeing the Tigers, and Ernie replied back in that drawl, “Well yah got me beat!” Grandpa grinned like a school boy, and I had shivers running up and down my spine. Ernie signed my program that day and then went on about his business.
Thanks Craig for your wonderful Ernie stories. I’m sad today, not as sad as I was when it was announced, because I know Ernie has been released from his pain. I’m sad for Ms. Lulu, Ernie’s wife of over 68 years and his family. I’m glad we had a man like Ernie in our lives.
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- Vlad in TN - May 5, 2010 at 9:25 AM
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Yep, I watched the TV game and listened to the radio game with Harwell describing the game… as did most of my friends! It was the best. As I said on newvine:
Ernie was a class act for sure. He is the standard to which all sportscasters should try and live up to. A great man who loved the game more than the paycheck, we need more like him. Ernie Harwell is a legend of the craft and the sport.
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- Bob Magee - May 5, 2010 at 9:29 AM
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I was a seven year old who had just moved to Detroit from upstate New York in 1964, when I got to first hear the voice of Ernie Harwell.
As a young boy listening to a transistor radio sometimes in my room…other times out in the driveway on a hot summer day, his was the voice of my young summers…young in terms of my own years on Earth, and in what (in retrospect) seems like a younger America back in that time. His was the voice of calm and a time of innocence as years moved on.
Even when my family moved on to Philadelphia, I’d still try to play with my radio and catch a Tigers game. As years went on and a new station called ESPN came on, I got to see him at least once or twice a year as ESPN would usually have him do an inning or two on one of their games.
As I approach my 53rd birthday next week, last night’s news about his passing just made me feel a whole lot older, even than those 53 years.
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- Booner - May 5, 2010 at 9:54 AM
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I will turn 50 this year and have great memories of listening to Ernie broadcast Tigers games when I was growing up. My father, who was a huge Tigers fan for almost 70 years, passed away seven years ago and before they closed the coffin at his funeral I placed a Tigers hat inside – something I’m sure he would have appreciated. It is fitting, then, that Ernie died yesterday – on my father’s birthdate! Dad, tell Ernie hello and I miss you both very much.
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- Steve - May 5, 2010 at 10:02 AM
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I was always struck by Ernie’s humility. Any time he would be praised for his work there was that “aww, shucks” response and that Georgia lilt. He made you feel like we, the listeners, were doing him a huge favor by listening.
He leaves a wife of 68 years and millions of fans. God bless, Ernie and thanks.
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- geezstring - May 5, 2010 at 10:10 AM
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I grew up with Ernie too. A true professional and a wonderful man – he loved the Tigers and the fans and we loved him right back. As he mentioned a few times there will be some people that say after he retired – who was that guy that used to broadcast the Tiger games? Well Ernie, don’t worry, it does not mattter – all of the Tiger fans over the last 50 years listened to you and your love of baseball – we’ll miss you. I send my sympathies to the family and the fans.
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- Thomas - May 5, 2010 at 10:22 AM
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In this attention-span challenged world it’s almost impossible to explain the lure of *listening* to a *baseball game* on the *radio*. (WTF!, as the kids say today). But if you’ve ever had your ears seduced by Vin Scully, Lon Simmons, Bill King, or any of the greats mentioned here, you’re lucky enough to know what I mean. Am I the only one who has sat in a car in the garage to enjoy the sensation of an entire ballpark magically appearing through a pair of 4-inch speakers? Farewell Ernie and all your brothers. You gave us a world we hoped would go on forever, but now lives on only in our sweetest memories.
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- John G - May 5, 2010 at 10:32 AM
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A first class gentleman that you would ever meet.I would listen to NY Giants games fom the Polo Grounds that he and Russ Hodges would do and I had the experience of sitting in my buddies house and watching the game where Bobby Thompson hit the “shot heard round the world” Truly unforgettable. May you rest in piece Ernie Harwell.
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- Jen - May 5, 2010 at 10:52 AM
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As a lifetime Michigan resident, I remember many nights in the car with my family listening to Ernie on the radio. He always had that calm, soothing voice that you could always pick out from any other. He was a true icon, in every sense of the word.
Michiganders and geese will always love and miss you, Ernie! R.I.P. Thanks for bringing so many of us so much joy for so many years.
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- YANKEES1996 - May 5, 2010 at 11:08 AM
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First the loss of Tiger Stadium and now Ernie Harwell passes away, we are truly losing too many classics. Ernie you and your timeless voice and call of the game will be sorely missed. My prayers, thoughts and condolences to your family. Godspeed Ernie, I’m sure your calling a game today.
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- jonni riviera - May 5, 2010 at 11:22 AM
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The passing of Ernie brings to mind something that has always been one of my favorite things. There is nothing more enjoyable than to ride down the highway on a summer night listening to a great announcer describe a baseball game. Having your mind bring into focus that hot shot to the hot corner, the long fly to center that is gathered in by the rookie centerfielder, or that called third strike that painted the black. The next thing you knew, you were at your destination telling your parents to leave the car on so you could listen to the bottom of the ninth. RIP Ernie
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- Kevin - May 5, 2010 at 12:09 PM
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I can just imagine the reunion of Ernie Harwell, Harry Carey, and Cleveland’s beloved Herb Score…heaven is a better place now with them, but our summers will not be the same. Rest in peace gentlemen.
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- Den_S - May 5, 2010 at 12:28 PM
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Count me in the multitude of ‘ganders that grew up listening to Ernie. His voice made springtime a reality for me, regardless of the weather outside. I spent many years living outside the state and when I got close to the state line on the way home I started looking for his voice on WJR, didn’t need to look at the dial, just kept tuning until I heard him. Then, I knew I was home. I admire Mr. Harwell for the way he conducted his life as much as for the pleasure he gave me bringing Tiger baseball to my radio. The stories I have read, and the videos I’ve watched today have made it difficult for me to talk, the memories are so vivid, it’s difficult to imagine him not with us anymore. I wish Lulu well, its got to be tough on her after all those years. God bless you Ernie for all you have given us!
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- YankeesfanLen - May 5, 2010 at 1:53 PM
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Reading through the remembrances of so many here, I think anyone who has the privilege to honor Ernie tomorrow at Comerica, should drop an old transistor radio as a “thank you” Momento and tribute.Michigan and Trumbull would be more appropriate, but, you know…
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- Steve S. - May 5, 2010 at 3:08 PM
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I simply could go on and on about Ernie. To save space so others can embrace this moment of remembering one fine gentleman who simply has touched everyone with the caring, kindness and respect that this man has portrayed his entire life…92 years of it!
Each and every one of us in this moment of sadness needs to do just one thing: Follow in the footsteps of Ernie. Do what’s right, re-think what each of us needs to do to be a better person from here on out. Life is simply an ongoing lesson in trying to do what’s right and decent.
Ernie would be proud of each and every one of us if we did just that. Amen.
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- Sherman - May 5, 2010 at 5:02 PM
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I grew up in Ann Arbor. I can remember my father cooking from his barbecue pit and neighbors coming to our house on Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day. Barbecue and Baseball. Listening to Ernie, George, Paul or Ray was a big part of my childhood. I can still hear him say “Hang on to your Stroh’s,” and I can see grown ups reaching for that Stroh’s Beer, and kids like me reaching for that Stroh’s Ice Cream Bar in the 9th inning. When I moved to Massachusetts, I would be homesick until I heard Ernie on the radio at night. Thank you for being a part of my childhood, and letting it be there a little longer. Today there is crying in baseball, but Ernie also reminded us that win or lose there is always tomorrow. Another day, another chance. Thank you Ernie. Peace.
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- PhoenixPat - May 5, 2010 at 5:04 PM
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…and now Ernie lives on in our memories. I’ll never forget Ernie on the radio, Grandma’s Kool-Aid and Grandpa’s curveball.
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- Charlie V - May 5, 2010 at 7:31 PM
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And then there was Vin. The last of the great radio play-by-play guys. Boy, I miss Bob Elson and Mel Allen
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- Michael - May 5, 2010 at 7:53 PM
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I have lived in Texas since 1978…but I was born and raised in Muskegon MI. I am, and always will be, a lifelong Detroit sports fan. I spent many nights in my room with the radio on listening to Mr. Harwell describe the action. Oh how I miss those days. Ernie was the voice of not just one generation, but several generations. My ultimate dream as a child was to be a Tigers broadcaster…just like him. There will never be another like him. It would not surprise me to learn that the ENTIRE city of Detroit, shows up tomorrow to say goodbye to the greatest Tiger fan of all time. By God’s grace, I will get to meet you in Heaven and we can swap stories about our beloved Tigers.
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- Marty - May 5, 2010 at 9:27 PM
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Thomas, I’m with you….my brother Steve and I grew up in Baltimore,early years in St. Vincent’s Orphanage…I was in my teens before I ever got to Memorial Stadium to see the Orioles play.It was Ernie Harwell who taught me baseball and to appreciate the art of the game. With Ernie in there, you never doubted the score, had a good decsciption of what was going on in the game and had the most pleasing voice I think I ever heard. God rest his soul….
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- E.R. - May 5, 2010 at 10:05 PM
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I grew up in Ann Arbor listening to Ernie Harwell on WJR — and I, too, will *never* forget my personal experience with Ernie. I was a lowly sports department broadcast intern at a local station in Detroit, visiting relatives in my native Kansas City, when I chose to attend a Tigers-Royals game. After the game, I went down to the broadcasters’ level (wearing my Tigers cap and jersey, of course) and asked the guard if I might speak to Ernie for a few moments, hoping to have him sign my scorebook page.
Imagine my surprise when, as he rounded the corner from the hallway, his face lit up and as he came up to shake my hand he says “well hello there, aren’t you the new fellow over at WXYZ?” Yes, believe it or not, *he* recognized *me*. Next thing I knew, I was following him down to the Tigers’ broadcast booth, meeting Paul Carey after he finished the postgame show, and chatting with both of them for almost twenty minutes as they wrapped up their work for the day.
Over thirty years later, I remember that half hour of my life like it was yesterday, and I always will. Oh, and I still have that scorebook — signed by BOTH Ernie and Paul.
Ernie, you might be “long gone” from us, but you’ll always be the voice we hear in Tigertown, calling the game on the field of dreams…rest in peace.
