OT: ESPN Ernie Harwell tribute article
I didn't see this on the board yet, but I came across this article now posted up on ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4777720
A great read about the devoted fanbase of Harwell in the MI area. I can recall countless days and nights visiting my great grandmother and hearing Harwell's voice on the radio calling the games from her bedroom. She fell asleep to him nearly every night and I can only imagine how many people did the same over his career.
I have the privilege now of being in LA and listening to Scully who is amazing in his own right, but Harwell will always be my #1 announcer.
May he live to see one more Opening Day.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:33 PM ^
Harwell was an amazing announcer and a great man. Cheers to him.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:38 PM ^
Ernie was a great announcer, but it is no doubt his character, passion, and integrity that makes him so beloved. People around here love Ernie in a different way than people love, for example, Harry Carey. He was a fine announcer too, but people looked up to an respected Ernie so much. He will always be one of the finest patches on our regional quilt.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
Harry Caray and Ernie Harwell were both legendary announcers, but they were definitely at opposite ends of the spectrum. Caray was a "character." He was like a weird old relative, who did things that other broadcasters could never get away with (like drink heavily during the broadcast and mispronounce the visiting players' names) but it was somehow endearing when he did them. He probably didn't put in too much preparation for each game, but called it with such a childlike enthusiasm, putting so much of himself into it. You knew you weren't going to get the most professional broadcasting experience when you listened to him, but it was fun.
Harwell was (and still is) the epitome of class and professionism. His delivery, his command of the language, his ability to describe what was going on to the listener, and his sense of timing (knowing when to show more emotion, when to tell an anecdote) were flawless. He really spoiled Detroit fans. After you've listened to Harwell call a game in such great detail, and teach you so much about baseball history along the way, most other announcers (who might be beloved by other fanbases) just don't cut it.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:30 PM ^
Ernie's game call didn't really seem like a broadcast, it seemed like a friend telephoning from the stadium to tell you all about that night's game.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:54 PM ^
There are excellent announcers throughout the Major Leagues, but there's only one Ernie Harwell. I'm very glad I got to listen to him for several seasons.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:15 PM ^
Thanks for the link to the article. It was well worth the read. +1 to you.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:06 PM ^
Jim from sterling heights just cought a foul ball good for him.
Loved when he did that
December 29th, 2009 at 4:44 PM ^
This is a great article and most certainly not OT.
December 29th, 2009 at 5:23 PM ^
As a White Sox fan growing up in Michigan (West Michigan), Ernie Harwell is hands down the best announcer to call any sport, ever.
More importantly, he is a great person. A true class act.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:36 PM ^
It is rare to find a public persona who displays such class and humility. I'll always remember his sweet southern drawl blending in with the chrirping of crickets out on the back porch.
"He stood there like a house by the side of the road and watched that one go by!"
December 29th, 2009 at 7:57 PM ^
That voice will always mean summer evenings in my youth.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:07 PM ^
Ernie has the gift of being able to brighten everyone's life and the best part about him is he knows it and uses it every time he gets the chance. All that stuff they say about Tim Tebow? They'd say it about Ernie if it weren't such an understatement.