In April of 2004 ERNIE wrote in his distinctive long hand our PR giant that we have
proudly used extensively:
“IF YOU LOVE BASEBALL, YOU’LL LOVE WBWF.”
On May 9, 1979, he typed:
“DEAR BOBBY: I ENJOYED YOUR SPLENDID STORY ABOUT
WILLIE MAYES. A STORY THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
HE WAS SOME PLAYER. I HOPE THAT WE’LL SEE YOU SOON
AT CHAPEL AGAIN.”
On March 16, 1999, he wrote by hand once again:
” THANKS FOR SENDING ME YOUR WBWF BOOK. THE STORIES
WERE GREAT AND I ENJOYED READING THEM.”
On July 13, 2000, he once more wrote in long hand:
“WE ARE GETTING WARMER.” He was writing about the status
of the Tigers.
On September 9, 1998, he wrote:
“DEAR BOBBY: I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR
LOYALTY. BASEBALL CHAPEL IS STILL GOING STRONG.”
His references to Baseball Chapel are because that is how we first met in August
of 1977 at Tiger Stadium, before I, as a Lutheran Pastor at the time, conducted
Sunday morning services for both the Angels and the Tigers.
For my tribute to ERNIE see my story entitled: “ME N’ ERNIE” posted in the archives
below.
My final memorial to this SAINT OF THE AIRWAVES can be found in the words of JIM
LEYLAND: “ERNIE ALWAYS TREATED ME LIKE A BIG LEAGUE PLAYER AND I NEVER WAS
A BIG LEAGUE PLAYER.” JIM, make room for me in your boat of ERNIE memories.
