Ernie prepared us for his final journey last September when he addressed a packed crowd for the last time at Comerica Park; but none of us in Detroit were ever really prepared to say “goodbye” to Detroit’s most beloved citizen.
I was interviewed a couple of weeks ago by a New York City radio station about Ernie. Since Vin Scully, the longtime play-by-play man for the Los Angeles Dodgers was being honored, they in turn wanted to do a piece on our beloved Ernie; both being legends in their field. The first question they asked me: “What comes to mind when we mention the name Ernie Harwell?” Without a second of hesitation I said…“saint”. We could list Ernie’s accomplishments and talk about his broadcast prowess for hours, however in my opinion, Ernie’s greatest achievement was that he taught us how to live.
This southern gentleman, the voice of summer, was the most humble and wonderful man I knew. Just knowing Ernie was a thrill. When I would converse with Ernie over the years, whether on the radio, during a private phone conversation, or in person, I would be nervous and tongue tied like an 8-year old kid who was meeting his hero for the very first time.
Being in radio, I naturally paid attention to the voices of people in my profession…and Ernie’s was the best! Hearing his voice wafting through the air waves calling a Tiger game, for some reason especially at night, was for me the perfect blend. It was magic.
A fun memory…
On two different occasions I had been asked by the Tigers to throw out the first pitch at a game. Amazingly enough, both times I threw a perfect strike and each time Ernie not only witnessed this great baseball feat from high atop his broadcast perch, but he actually announced those strikes for all the fans in the stadium to hear.
They fired Ernie?
Who will ever forget the debacle of Ernie being relieved of his broadcast duties after the 1991 season? We stirred things up a bit back then when we created an Opening Day protest in 1992. We had 10,000 Ernie Harwell masks printed and taped to popsicles sticks which fans proudly held up in front of their faces during the game. Not exactly the Opening Day PR the team was looking for. Point well taken though. We will forever be indebted to Mike Illitch for bringing Ernie back to the booth after he bought the team.
I want to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of love and affection for Ernie on my Facebook page. Susan Sutherland Massolia wrote: “What a wonderful man he was. His voice reminds me of summers with my dad working in the yard and the game on the radio.” Cass Pawlowski contributed these sentiments: “Ernie was probably THE best representative of Detroit in the 20th Century. His legend and reputation will remain.”
A lasting impression…
I was having dinner many years ago at Detroit’s famed London Chop House. During the course of the evening I paid a visit to the restroom where the attendant, a tall, elderly, grey-haired gentlemen, was listening to Ernie call that night’s Tiger game on a small, portable transistor radio. I wondered how many years this fine gentleman had been glued to Ernie’s every word, from this most unusual location. It occurred to me that people literally everywhere were listening to Ernie; from their porches, from their cars, from their bedrooms, and yes, even from a restaurant restroom. That image has stuck with me for all these years.
Hearing Ernie’s voice call a Tiger game to me was like hearing your favorite song on the radio on a beautiful summer night. He’ll always be a part of my summers, and I know yours too!
On behalf of all of Purtan’s People, we wish LuLu, Ernie’s beloved wife of 68 years, and his children our heartfelt condolences. We all know Ernie would not want us to spend time feeling any sorrow. He reminded us that he was just “looking forward to going on life’s next journey”.
Thank you Ernie! Thank you for coming into our homes and into our hearts. We are all better for having known you and heard you. Rest in Peace.
Dick
Ernie and me at the Detroit Historical Museum in 2008. We were there to help unveil our “Voices of Detroit” displays. It was truly an honor to be in the same company of the great Ernie Harwell.