Comments on: Mitch Albom is writing a play about Ernie Harwell. Oy.

By: That Mitch Albom-penned Ernie Harwell play is actually happening | HardballTalk

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:53:18 +0000

[...] When it was first announced last fall I hoped it was like one of the many projects we hear about but which never come to fruition. But no, it appears that Mitch Albom’s play about Ernie Harwell is actually happening. It will officially be announced tomorrow, including introductions of the actor playing Harwell and some remarks by Albom himself. The play’s description from the production company: “Ernie” features a two person cast portraying “Ernie” and the “Boy”, a teenager who, on the night Ernie comes to Comerica Park to say goodbye to the fans, encounters his hero and asks him to give a very special broadcast – the broadcast of his life. The play will feature actual footage from historic baseball moments, famous Tigers players and Harwell calls. [...]

By: BatCorker

BatCorker — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:56:35 +0000

I think the writer is overly harsh regarding Albom — which always leaves me wondering whether it’s mostly sour grapes due to envy…
I haven’t read Albom’s books and I never listened to his radio show, but I do know that his sports columns are generally pretty good and his broader, general interest columns aren’t bad either. The guy is definitely a talented essayist. Whether that translates into being a playwright, I don’t know.
With regard to the “transcends sports” comment, I don’t think that is inappropriate at all. Ernie was a marine in World War II. He was also a deeply religious guy who found a way to be a friend to many insignificant strangers. For those and other reasons, I’m sure the story of his life could well limit baseball to only a dim backdrop. In that respect, yes, it would certainly be fair to say that Ernie did transcend sports.
It’s disappointing to read someone who takes a positive story (a salute to a great man) and finds a way to turn it into an attack on another individual. …Ernie wouldn’t think that was cool at all.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:36:55 +0000

Mitch Albom is a self-serving and overly smug schmaltz factory. Forget about his maudlin books that wreak of pathos, his defining moment for me was when he used his “parting shot” on The Sports Reporters to praise the courage and effort of Michael Imperioloi who just so happened to be starring in some piece of crap that Albom wrote. It had to be the most thinly veiled self-promotion and commercial-masquerading-as-journalism ever. And that’s saying something if you have ever sat through that show. It was hilarious to see his fake seriousness as he pretended not to be doing an ad for himself.

By: PaulKersey

PaulKersey — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:17:15 +0000

http://deadspin.com/5591618/last-nights-winner-whatevers-left-of-sportswritings-conscience http://deadspin.com/5644264/playing-down-to-your-audience Those links are a good start. Sorry they're both Deadspin things, but I couldn't find the Joe Posnanski post I really wanted to link to.

By: nps6724

nps6724 — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:35:03 +0000

I don’t know a ton about Mitch Albom except he wrote a book I had to read in 11th grade. Why all the hate?

By: TC

TC — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:00:11 +0000

I will never forget when ESPN had him on for “Legends Week” or some such thing. Morgan and Miller tried to talk about Ernie, to Ernie, while Ernie just kept calling the game. On and on. Great announcer.

By: sbuffum

sbuffum — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:43:08 +0000

M. Night Shamalyan would be worse, but Mitch Albom is close enough to shake his hand.
On the other hand, I look forward to Leonard Pinth-Garnell’s review.