USA Today Gives Ernie Harwell Some Love
by Ian Casselberry on Sep 23, 2009 3:40 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers News
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PrintToday's edition of USA Today has a feature on Ernie Harwell. It's the cover story of their sports section. Of course, it's written for a national audience, so there's plenty of stuff you may have already read or known.
But Mel Antonen talks to plenty of people around baseball to get their feelings on Harwell, such as Derek Jeter and Vin Scully. And he also has some interesting anecdotes, such as how Ernie met his wife, Lulu, which led to an entertaining quote from Harwell's friend (and agent), Gary Spicer.
Of course, there are plenty of memorable quotes from Harwell, which are both self-deprecatingly funny and - given the circumstances of Ernie's condition - rather heartbreaking. For instance:
"I've got a little old bug that works pretty fast," says Harwell, who also called games for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and Baltimore Orioles from 1948 to 1959 before moving to Detroit. "The best answer to how long I have is six months, give or take a few. If I get more than three months, that'll be fine. I have serenity and comfort. God takes care of me. I worship, obey and accept the consequences."
Then, he jokes, "If I get well, people are going to think this was all a publicity stunt to get a little attention."
Only Ernie Harwell could refer to cancer as "a little old bug that works pretty fast" and draw a smile. A bittersweet one, but a smile, nonetheless.
There's also this notable quote:
"There's been too much attention paid to me, and people get tired of reading about an old guy. My mom used to say, 'Don't wear out your welcome.' And I don't want to wear out my welcome."
I think that's the first time I've ever disagreed with Ernie Harwell.
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The bell tolls for us, too.
I have a hard time thinking of someone who’s broadcasting today (other than Vin Scully, but he’s from another time, too) who has Ernie’s great gift of calling a game with perfect timing and commentary. He never called attention to himself, never became bigger than the game he covered. And while he got excited over great plays, like Red Barber, he never would “over call” an important moment, letting the sound of the crowd convey the excitement.
I feel sorry for people who never got to hear him call a game. It really was magical how you could walk down the streets and hear the radios through every window, all tuned to WJR. Or how you could be at the cottage up north and sit around in the evening light listening to that familiar voice.
Love this phrase
Ernie had a great phrase when a batter struck out watching….
“He stood there like a house by the side of the road.”
Took me a while to figure that one out, but loved it when he would use it. He is one of the great Good Guys of all American sports.
by Parrothead Mike on Sep 23, 2009 6:19 PM EDT reply actions
thanks Ian
I don’t read USA Today unless on the road, so this was good to see from a national perspective. thanks for sharing.
by TigerFanInCleveland on Sep 23, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions
Ernie
It took Tiger Stadium a longer time to fall than expected and let’s all pray that Ernie takes his time and “stands there like the house on the side of the road and watches it go by”.
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