Loooooong Gone
May 4, 2010 7:39 PM Subscribe
Ernie Harwell, long time voice of the Detroit Tigers and previously the Baltimore Orioles, has died at age 92. Previously here. MLB's commissioner's statement.
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posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on May 4, 2010
…and the Tigers lost.
posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by klangklangston at 7:48 PM on May 4, 2010
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(I was hoping to post the first memorial dot but since I stood there like a house by the side of the road, a gentleman from Ypsilanti got to the souvenir first. RIP, Ernie.)
posted by joe lisboa at 7:50 PM on May 4, 2010 [3 favorites]
(I was hoping to post the first memorial dot but since I stood there like a house by the side of the road, a gentleman from Ypsilanti got to the souvenir first. RIP, Ernie.)
posted by joe lisboa at 7:50 PM on May 4, 2010 [3 favorites]
On a wild pitch no less, klang.
posted by joe lisboa at 7:51 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by joe lisboa at 7:51 PM on May 4, 2010
No mention of Harwell in this (sort of surprising) , but Jeff Daniels, another son of Michigan, does a nice tribute to the Tigers.
Things are difficult here in Michigan, but it remains a proud state. We appreciate those that represent(ed) us, Harwell, Ufer, Bo, Howe, Sparky, the list is long... They bring us hope.
posted by HuronBob at 7:59 PM on May 4, 2010 [3 favorites]
Things are difficult here in Michigan, but it remains a proud state. We appreciate those that represent(ed) us, Harwell, Ufer, Bo, Howe, Sparky, the list is long... They bring us hope.
posted by HuronBob at 7:59 PM on May 4, 2010 [3 favorites]
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posted by lukemeister at 8:12 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by lukemeister at 8:12 PM on May 4, 2010
The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land ...
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posted by pyramid termite at 8:17 PM on May 4, 2010
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posted by pyramid termite at 8:17 PM on May 4, 2010
I remember that voice on the radio. Memories of weekend afternoons helping my dad work in the yard.
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posted by marxchivist at 8:23 PM on May 4, 2010
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posted by marxchivist at 8:23 PM on May 4, 2010
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One of the great, for sure.
Also, I know it's probably inappropriate, but to hell with the Sharks.
posted by kbanas at 8:25 PM on May 4, 2010
One of the great, for sure.
Also, I know it's probably inappropriate, but to hell with the Sharks.
posted by kbanas at 8:25 PM on May 4, 2010
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posted by Tesseractive at 8:26 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by Tesseractive at 8:26 PM on May 4, 2010
Steve Poltz has a sweet song called Brief History of My Life (song starts at 2:45) that mentions Ernie Harwell, along with other poets Vin Scully, Jack Buck and Jerry Coleman.
posted by shannonm at 8:31 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by shannonm at 8:31 PM on May 4, 2010
We should all be so blessed as to live to be 92, to die with our love of 68 years by our sides, knowing that we're right with the world and our god (whatever that means to us). Ernie manifests everything good about people. I'll miss him, to be sure, but I'm having a hard time feeling sad, really.
(And I agree about the Sharks) (and, although I could only listen to the game, the horrible officiating that has plagued the entire playoffs)
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:33 PM on May 4, 2010 [3 favorites]
(And I agree about the Sharks) (and, although I could only listen to the game, the horrible officiating that has plagued the entire playoffs)
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:33 PM on May 4, 2010 [3 favorites]
A truly great broadcaster and gentleman. We knew this was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier.
posted by pmurray63 at 8:45 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by pmurray63 at 8:45 PM on May 4, 2010
First, they took away my beloved outfield bleachers at Tiger Stadium and replaced it with family friendly, no-swearing Comerica Park. (Boo!) And now this.
My baseball childhood is completely gone.
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posted by palindromic at 8:51 PM on May 4, 2010
My baseball childhood is completely gone.
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posted by palindromic at 8:51 PM on May 4, 2010
Aw, hell. RIP Ernie. Rest in the knowledge that you're a part of American history now. The kind we're proud of. Tell Jack Buck I said hi.
posted by middleclasstool at 8:56 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by middleclasstool at 8:56 PM on May 4, 2010
Started tonight's Mariners game with a moment of silence for Ernie. Baseball nation is in mourning too.
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From safeco field.
posted by bearwife at 8:58 PM on May 4, 2010
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From safeco field.
posted by bearwife at 8:58 PM on May 4, 2010
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posted by Baby_Balrog at 9:19 PM on May 4, 2010
posted by Baby_Balrog at 9:19 PM on May 4, 2010
A few years ago it was Sir Graves, and now Ernie Harwell. My childhood is getting further away in the rear view mirror of Life.
So long Ernie!
posted by motown missile at 11:14 PM on May 4, 2010 [2 favorites]
So long Ernie!
posted by motown missile at 11:14 PM on May 4, 2010 [2 favorites]
I used to listen to him as a kid as I fell asleep with a transistor radio under my pillow. His is the voice I always think of when I listen to play by play.
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posted by ursus_comiter at 3:27 AM on May 5, 2010
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posted by ursus_comiter at 3:27 AM on May 5, 2010
A recording of Ernie reading his essay: http://www.thedeadballera.com/Audio/ErnieHarwell.mp3
Ernie gets two for the price of one: ..
posted by stevis23 at 3:35 AM on May 5, 2010
Ernie gets two for the price of one: ..
posted by stevis23 at 3:35 AM on May 5, 2010
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posted by orville sash at 4:32 AM on May 5, 2010
posted by orville sash at 4:32 AM on May 5, 2010
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I can hear his voice so vividly (without having watched/listened any of the videos). Just like motown missle above, another piece of my childhood has died. How sad :(
posted by mrzer0 at 5:20 AM on May 5, 2010
I can hear his voice so vividly (without having watched/listened any of the videos). Just like motown missle above, another piece of my childhood has died. How sad :(
posted by mrzer0 at 5:20 AM on May 5, 2010
A few years ago, ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball turned the middle innings of their broadcasts away from Jon Miller & Joe Morgan, and invited legends in to take over the booth -- not just to chat, but to actually do the play by play. Vin Scully. Curt Gowdy. Ernie Harwell. I was taken with how well these guys plied their craft. Blew the current generation away. Harwell especially. I wish I had an opportunity to hear him more.
Does anyone have any audio, or remembrances of significant calls that they can share?
posted by .kobayashi. at 5:41 AM on May 5, 2010
Does anyone have any audio, or remembrances of significant calls that they can share?
posted by .kobayashi. at 5:41 AM on May 5, 2010
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I grew up listening to Ernie and Paul do baseball. Nobody does baseball like they did. (Must see if MrR has transferred "Bless You Boys" yet.)
posted by jlkr at 6:54 AM on May 5, 2010
I grew up listening to Ernie and Paul do baseball. Nobody does baseball like they did. (Must see if MrR has transferred "Bless You Boys" yet.)
posted by jlkr at 6:54 AM on May 5, 2010
A voice of my childhood.
Mine too.
A few years ago it was Sir Graves, and now Ernie Harwell.
Sir Graves is dead?
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And a belated one for Sir Graves.
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posted by nikitabot at 8:00 AM on May 5, 2010
Mine too.
A few years ago it was Sir Graves, and now Ernie Harwell.
Sir Graves is dead?
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And a belated one for Sir Graves.
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posted by nikitabot at 8:00 AM on May 5, 2010
I grew up with the voice of Ernie Harwell. His is a voice instantly recognizable to anyone from Detroit, sports fan or not.
Years ago, when I worked at Kinko's, he occasionally came into the store. He was unfailingly friendly and generous with his time, always ready to chat with anyone who recognized him. I'm glad I had the chance to meet Ernie, and tell him how much I appreciated him.
posted by paulg at 8:18 AM on May 5, 2010
Years ago, when I worked at Kinko's, he occasionally came into the store. He was unfailingly friendly and generous with his time, always ready to chat with anyone who recognized him. I'm glad I had the chance to meet Ernie, and tell him how much I appreciated him.
posted by paulg at 8:18 AM on May 5, 2010
Ernie Harwell greeted spring baseball every year with these words from the Song of Solomon 2:12—
For, lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone;
the flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is come,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
Until I moved to Detroit 31 years ago, I couldn't fathom what people were on about as far as listening to a baseball broadcast because of Ernie Harwell. Then, as I traveled Michigan and the surrounding states, often driving at night, his voice on WJR and his encyclopedic but not pedantic knowledge, and his unquestionable love of the game became a comfort and a friend.
Ernie, all of us "paying umpires" are a little down today but we celebrate you.
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posted by beelzbubba at 8:41 AM on May 5, 2010
For, lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone;
the flowers appear on the earth;
the time of the singing of birds is come,
and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
Until I moved to Detroit 31 years ago, I couldn't fathom what people were on about as far as listening to a baseball broadcast because of Ernie Harwell. Then, as I traveled Michigan and the surrounding states, often driving at night, his voice on WJR and his encyclopedic but not pedantic knowledge, and his unquestionable love of the game became a comfort and a friend.
Ernie, all of us "paying umpires" are a little down today but we celebrate you.
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posted by beelzbubba at 8:41 AM on May 5, 2010
And as far as I know, Ernie Harwell was the only broadcaster obtained in a trade for a player. The Brooklyn Dodgers acquired the services of Ernie Harwell by trading catcher Cliff Dapper to the Atlanta Crackers (yeah, you read that right). The Dodgers long time great announcer--and another great baseball lorist--Red Barber was out indefinitely, and Ernie's pro career began then in 1948.
posted by beelzbubba at 8:44 AM on May 5, 2010
posted by beelzbubba at 8:44 AM on May 5, 2010
I don't even like baseball, but I grew up hearing Ernie Harwell at home, at the cottage, in the car, walking down the street, everywhere. It really isn't possible to explain from someone from outside of Michigan just how much his voice was entwined with summer. Far more than any song, hearing Ernie meant hot nights, Ball Park franks, Boston coolers and mosquitoes.
His life was a well-played game, gone into extra-innings.
posted by QIbHom at 1:09 PM on May 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
His life was a well-played game, gone into extra-innings.
posted by QIbHom at 1:09 PM on May 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
Bless You Boys has a roundup of national tributes.
posted by klangklangston at 2:04 PM on May 5, 2010
posted by klangklangston at 2:04 PM on May 5, 2010
Growing up in the 70s in Michigan he was the Tigers. I remember living in an apartment in Traverse City in the second grade and listening to him on the radio I hid under my pillow.
posted by zzazazz at 2:13 PM on May 5, 2010
posted by zzazazz at 2:13 PM on May 5, 2010
Thoughts are with everyone in Detroit. It sounds like he was a prince of a man, as well as a part of what is likely the greatest fraternity of broadcasters there's ever been: The poets, as someone above called them.
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posted by evilcolonel at 3:35 PM on May 5, 2010
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posted by evilcolonel at 3:35 PM on May 5, 2010
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posted by The demon that lives in the air at 4:43 PM on May 5, 2010
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 4:43 PM on May 5, 2010
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posted by HuronBob at 7:47 PM on May 4, 2010