Ernie Harwell, a Detroit legend who was the broadcaster at Detroit Tigers games for 42 seasons, passed away on May 5.
I didn’t grow up listening to Ernie’s voice on the radio as he gave the play-by-play at games. I don’t associate summers from my childhood with Ernie narrating the games like many baseball fans do. I have no recollections of ever watching a baseball game on TV or in person while Ernie was broadcasting it. All the knowledge I have about Ernie Harwell I gained through stories in the media and MAL, who was a huge fan (proven by the fact that the cat he found in an alley by Comerica Park is named Ernie). Ernie may not have directly impacted my life, but he definitely has indirectly, and I’m proud to say we shared the same hometown.
From what I’ve learned about Ernie, I know he was a gentle, friendly and humble man who loved life, his family and the great sport of baseball. He was so much more than the voice of the Tigers. His voice impacted and touched the lives of people in a very uncommon yet profound way for a sports broadcaster. Ernie gave people the sense of comfort and care, and many felt they knew him simply because they listened to him call the games year after year.
When Ernie learned he had terminal cancer, he fearlessly accepted God’s plan. He gave a speech to his fans at Comerica Park (which I did watch) and focused more on comforting them than discussing his illness, telling them not to cry and showing gratefulness for the long and full life he was so lucky to have lived. Ernie boldly promised that he was ready to face whatever came his way, whether the road leading home was short or long.
Shouldn’t we all aspire to be like Ernie? Personalities so grand, yet a quiet sense of humility and grace. Love and passion so large that it could fill an entire room. A deep sense of care for others. A passion for a career that is so profound that it will continue to echo in this city and the sport of baseball for years to come. Being so proud and fulfilled from 92 years on this earth that you can bravely accept death and not sink in despair from a laundry list of regrets. Sixty eight years of marriage with love that was as strong as when you said “I do.” Knowing that the way you lived your life had such an amazing affect on so many others.
We can take away one, or 10, or 50 lessons from Ernie Harwell’s passion and love for his work, his city and everyone he encountered in life. He may be gone, but his story will be passed on from generation to generation. Gems like Ernie deserve to have their memories preserved so others can continue learning the lessons they leave behind.