There's a very sentimental reason this column features Ernie Harwell's name, and it's not just because the pun would fall flat without it. (That's, like, 10 percent of the reason.) Before the Internet, the storyteller of the Detroit Tigers was a diminutive man whose voice was anything but. Even after his retirement in 2003, Harwell's words turn the heads of Tigers fans.
The news of Harwell's inoperable pancreatic cancer earlier this month was sad, but it appeared the only one in Tigertown not shedding tears was the man who the diagnosis will affect the most. Maybe I can't blame him. After all, he's 91 and seems to have no regrets. He will visit the stadium before the Tigers try not to lose by 10 to play the Kansas City Royals tonight, where he will thank the fans and the team, an agenda he absolutely has backwards. It's likely that he's doing this because when the 25th anniversary of the 1984 World Series team is honored in a couple weeks, Harwell declined to appear with the team, perhaps because he didn't want his illness to detract from those players.
What Harwell embodies and symbolizes is perhaps the greatest life message for anybody, not just those in Michigan battling to retain hope and prosperity. He once said, "baseball is a lot like life. It's a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life."
One day at a time. You really can't approach life faster than that, unless you're Dr. Sam Beckett. Harwell didn't become the voice of the Tigers based solely on a single call, or any particular game. He just showed up to work every day. This is why he's considered one of the greatest, much like Cal Ripken, Jr.
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
Awww, Suss... it's not that we don't get the references. It's that they're not funny. Okay, some of them are. Fine, you win, most. Most is my final offer, though. You're going to have to live with that.
2 - Brian
Well put, Suss. Great job.
3 - R.P.M.
I guess you're known as Suss in these parts, I can live with that, but really I just wanted to say thanks for this. This is a great look at the man and the game, ESPN should be jealous.
- R.P.M
4 - Tony
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Harwell after his retirement. He lived in the same retirement community as my grandmother. One day, he was just passing through the lobby and I figured I would say hello, shake his hand, and be on with it. But Mr. Harwell was one of the nicest, most gracious men I ever met. He talked baseball with me, never seemed impatient, and was incredibly personalble. Even though he's not technically gone yet, Detroit has been missing Ernie for a long time.
And to all you U of M fans, don't forget it was Bo who fired him when he was....ha ha ha....GM of the Tigers.
5 - Tony
Oh, and I totally got a Brian's Song, Ray Consella playing catch with his dad, lump in my throat during his speach. I'll admit it.
6 - twentypawspub
For those of you who were unable to attend Mitch Albom's book release (Have a Little Faith) event at the Fox, here is a great video of Mitch's interview with Ernie Harwell. I swear, that voice is one-of-a-kind. If we were playing "Name That Tune" I think most of us could name Ernie Harwell's voice in one note!
Harwell fans, you'll love this!
Enjoy!