If you grew up in the state of Michigan or spent anytime living here in the last 50 years, you know who Ernie is. Even if you hate sports and have never listened to a Detroit Tigers game, you know who Ernie is. Ernie Harwell was a man who touched the sport of baseball just as much as he touched the lives of the citizens of Michigan.
When I worked for the Tigers in 2006, I was lucky enough to meet Ernie Harwell several times. Just knowing that Ernie was in the broadcasting booth made me feel like I was a part of history. You could see everyone's eyes light up as he walked around the press box, including the front office staff, the sportswriters and the lowly interns (namely me).
My grandpa, Don Lund, played, coached and worked for the Tigers front office and got to know Ernie quite well. When I called him to see how he was taking the news, he informed me that he actually met Ernie before either of their days with the Tigers. He met him in 1946 when my grandpa played for the Brooklyn Dodgers' AA Farm team, the Mobile Bears. Ernie was broadcasting for the Atlanta Crackers in what turned out to be a 21 inning game that was called due to curfew. Now there's a game you wouldn't forget.
I cannot begin to contemplate the number of people who met Ernie Harwell and who listened to him on the radio in his 92 years. I can only imagine how many people his voice turned into Tigers fans and baseball fans alike. Ernie's sports knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will be greatly missed. For the many fans that fell asleep to Ernie's voice on hot summer nights, we will take his voice and those memories with us forever.
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