Ernie Harwell's Farewell
From The Detroit News:
By Bob Wojnowski
They began to stand, section by section, row by row, unsure whether to clap and cheer or simply watch and listen. And then Ernie Harwell walked out of the tunnel and onto the bright diamond, a bounce still in his step, and as the ovation grew, the answer was clear.
Yes, it was a time to cheer and cherish, because this was not a sad twist at the end of a good story. This was about the connection between life and death, between people of all ages, between a familiar voice and a vast, appreciative audience.
Harwell, 91, is better at greetings than farewells, so he didn't fully say goodbye Wednesday night, even as he battles an incurable cancer. In the middle of the third inning, the beloved former Tigers broadcaster took the microphone and thanked the Tigers and the fans, and if there was a somber undertone, he cut through it quickly.
"It's a wonderful night for me," Harwell said as the Tigers players stood outside their dugout, watching with everyone else. "I really feel lucky to be here, and I want to thank you for the warm welcome."
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20090917/OPINION03/909170391/1129/sports0104/Ernie-Harwell-s-farewell-comes-amid-tears-and-cheers
Also: By Michael Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press:
"Detroit has seen Hall of Fame athletes in every sport and colorful superstars and brilliant coaches and some excellent sportscasters. But there has never been anybody like Ernie Harwell. Nobody ever performed at such a high level for so long, while staying impossibly down-to-earth. Harwell never big-timed anybody. The mere idea of it is inconceivable".
"Ernie Harwell might never get back to another game. We might never hear his voice again. But Tigers fans -- and those of us lucky enough to know him -- will hear it until we die. We can only hope we handle our final days with as much grace as the classiest broadcaster anybody ever heard".
http://freep.com/article/20090917/COL22/909170604/1318/Fans-will-hear-Harwell-forever
By Bob Wojnowski
They began to stand, section by section, row by row, unsure whether to clap and cheer or simply watch and listen. And then Ernie Harwell walked out of the tunnel and onto the bright diamond, a bounce still in his step, and as the ovation grew, the answer was clear.
Yes, it was a time to cheer and cherish, because this was not a sad twist at the end of a good story. This was about the connection between life and death, between people of all ages, between a familiar voice and a vast, appreciative audience.
Harwell, 91, is better at greetings than farewells, so he didn't fully say goodbye Wednesday night, even as he battles an incurable cancer. In the middle of the third inning, the beloved former Tigers broadcaster took the microphone and thanked the Tigers and the fans, and if there was a somber undertone, he cut through it quickly.
"It's a wonderful night for me," Harwell said as the Tigers players stood outside their dugout, watching with everyone else. "I really feel lucky to be here, and I want to thank you for the warm welcome."
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20090917/OPINION03/909170391/1129/sports0104/Ernie-Harwell-s-farewell-comes-amid-tears-and-cheers
Also: By Michael Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press:
"Detroit has seen Hall of Fame athletes in every sport and colorful superstars and brilliant coaches and some excellent sportscasters. But there has never been anybody like Ernie Harwell. Nobody ever performed at such a high level for so long, while staying impossibly down-to-earth. Harwell never big-timed anybody. The mere idea of it is inconceivable".
"Ernie Harwell might never get back to another game. We might never hear his voice again. But Tigers fans -- and those of us lucky enough to know him -- will hear it until we die. We can only hope we handle our final days with as much grace as the classiest broadcaster anybody ever heard".
http://freep.com/article/20090917/COL22/909170604/1318/Fans-will-hear-Harwell-forever
posted by eric model | 4:33 PM
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