This Week's Poll: Name Comerica Park After Ernie Harwell?

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 4, 2009 3:15 PM EST Comment 8 comments

Former Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell walks onto the field at Comerica Park during a tribute in his honor in the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, in Detroit. The 91-year-old recently announced he has inoperable cancer. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

4 months ago: Former Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell walks onto the field at Comerica Park during a tribute in his honor in the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, in Detroit. The 91-year-old recently announced he has inoperable cancer. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Browse more photos »

In today's Detroit Free Press, Rochelle Riley writes about a grass-roots campaign to add Ernie Harwell's name to Comerica Park. The effort was started online (via Facebook) by a Michigan firefighter.

The website makes it sound as if the campaign is to get Comerica Park's name changed to Ernie Harwell Field. But the man behind the movement, Kevin McNutt, says he'd actually prefer the Tigers to name the field after Harwell, making it Ernie Harwell Field at Comerica Park.

(The Detroit Pistons did something simliar last week, naming the basketball court at The Palace of Auburn Hills after their late owner, Bill Davidson.)

Showing his typical modesty, Harwell thinks this might be a bit too much. The Tigers told McNutt that the ballpark's media center is already named after the legendary broadcaster.

But is there anybody who would actually be against such an idea? It would be a wonderful tribute to Harwell. (Though I suppose you could argue that Harwell is already memorialized at Comerica Park, with his photo atop the main entrance and a statue just inside the gate.)

If you'd like to join the cause, here's the link.

So that's the topic for this week's poll question:

Should the Tigers name their field after Ernie Harwell?

You can find the poll on the right sidebar below the FanPosts block. Or you can vote here. Please add your thoughts in the comments. And if you have suggestions for future poll questions, shoot me an e-mail.

How did our last poll go?

The people love a good nickname. But maybe "Kid Rick" for Rick Porcello has a short shelf life.

When should the "Kid Rick" nickname for Rick Porcello be retired?

32% It's done - He's no longer a rookie

22% When he's old enough to drink

8% When he's old enough to rent a car

37% Never! It's just too catchy!

Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll.

0 recs | Comment 8 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

To be a cynic

They need the money from the naming rights. I do like the idea of naming the field after him though.

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 4, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

this was my first thought. We can’t afford to lose any revenue to this club to have an chance at being competitive.

by MrPants20 on Nov 4, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How much?

Honestly, I’m as big a Harwell fan as the next guy, but he has his name on the wall and a statue at the entrance already.
As said above, they need the loot from a corporate name.

The world's greatest wiffle ball tournament! TheFatty.com

by rings on Nov 4, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

from what I understand of ian's explanation

it’s no lost money. Like saying: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

It would just be Ernie Harwell Field (you can paint that on the grass) at Comerica Park. Since that’s just bulky to say, it’s basically just Comerica Park still with his name on the grass.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 4, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds good

I kinda misread it… the disadvantage of speed reading and trying to pay attention in a seminar…

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by demondeaconsbaseball on Nov 4, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Comerica is paying 2.2M a year through 2030 for naming rights, by the way.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 4, 2009 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Media Center thing doesn't carry any weight with me

That’s a place most fans will never visit. Ernie Harwell belongs to the fans.

Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!

by KJ@theonlycolors on Nov 4, 2009 7:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I’m just cynical but I find naming the field to be rather hollow. I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done, but I don’t find it to be something of importance. Florida State has named their football field Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium (or whatever the stadium is called … too lazy to look it up). This makes sense because, as head coach there for 92 years he has stood on the field every game since his arrival (and turning a former all-women’s college into a football powerhouse).

Ernie Harwell wasn’t a player, so I don’t see the exact reasoning behind it. He’s got a statue, the media center is named after him and a photo atop the main entrance.

Again, I’m not against it — I’m actually really apathetic towards it (shows my age, since I’m 23 and my Tigers memories aren’t tied to Ernie Harwell’s voice). It just seems like naming the broadcast booth after Sparky Anderson, to me. Doesn’t make sense.

Also, it’s not like he won’t be remembered and honored with his name, statue, and a media center already in his honor. You don’t have to have everything named after someone to honor them. Especially for someone as minimalist and humble as Ernie.

Fire Jim Leyland

And now at Beyond the Boxscore and Project Prospect!

by Mike Rogers on Nov 4, 2009 7:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs