I first met ERNIE HARWELL at Tiger Stadium back in August of 1977. There he
stood just outside of the door leading into the Tiger’s offices. I was there because
“WADDY” SPOELSTRA, a Detroit Sports Writer and founder of the popular BASEBALL
CHAPEL program, had summoned me there to lead baseball chapel that day for
the Angels & Tigers. Both of them were together to welcome me into the park. So,
naturally both of them introduced themselves and I was so impressed by the simp-
licity and humility of this great hall-of-fame announcer. He immediately made me feel
as if I had known him all of my life. That was only the beginning. By the way, at that
time I was serving Farmington’s St. Paul’s Lutheran Church as their Pastor.
Since that date I’ve met with Ernie several times, but, one incident stands out. In
the summer of 1991 I had sent him a congratulatory note on his many years behind the
Tiger’s mike. A few days later as I sat watching a Tiger’s home game, PAT, my wife
answered the phone and handed it to me stammerintg something like: “Bob. My God,
it’s ERNIE HARWELL.” And there he was! He was calling me to thank me for my “kind
note.” Then it suddenly dawned on me that how could he be calling me while the Tigers
were playing a home game? So I asked him: ERNIE how can you be calling me right in
the middle of the game?” His answer exemplified ERNIE HARWELL…”Oh I do it all the
time between the 4th and 6th innings while Paul (Paul Carey) is relieving me for a few
innings.”
And, there you have this great announcer calling a stunned character out in Ann Arbor
to say thank you for an insignificant note. But, you see, it was not insignificant to
ERNIE. And therein lies his true greatness.
All of GOD’S best to you ERNIE HARWELL, but then, there’s no doubt about that!
Well put Daddy. Kinda gets me all choked up. Not sure if we wold love the Tigers like we do with out the influence of Mr. Harwell. The memories of the Tigers will always include him. Thank goodness for being able to listen to WJR all the way up in Alpena all summer long. Mr. Harwell was in our living room every summer night. What a great man, who never stood “like the house by the side of the road”…..
To Bobby Hoeft II…a very insightful comment. Yes, he did follow us all the way up to Grand
Lake every summer. There he was, win or lose, always unbiaased. Sometimes I wish he
would have said a few choice words at those blasted umpires. But, not Ernie. Always a
caring, gentle GOD fearing & loving human being, who just happened to announce Tiger ball games for 41 years!
PS. HE IS ALSO A HALL-OF-FAME BASEBALL LEGEND WHO ALWAYS BELONGED JUST TO US….
Did I ever mention that when the Tigers went on West coast road trips he was always the last voice I heard before I fell asleep?
J.R. Funny that you should say that, because that’s what I’d say too. I think it was that
southern drawl he had. WERE THOSE GREAT MEMORIES OR WHAT??
TO READERS: The upper two comments are from my two sons, both living in Chesapeake,
Va. and both RABID TIGER FANS.
bobby hoeft I
Baseball is the best sport in the world. I’m really looking forward to the new season. Should be fantastic.