RIP Ernie Harwell

The memories I will always cherish from my childhood of Ernie Harwell, whether it was on the way up North or out in the backyard tossing a ball around with my brothers, so many great memories of my summers growing up had Ernie broadcasting eloquently and poetically describing the Detroit Tigers play-by-play.

Ernie Harwell from what I know reached out to many here in Detroit. If he was at the ball park and players were signing balls and magazine covers, pictures, whatever it may be, Ernie was always humbly standing near watching but often times he found himself signing more than the players. Ernie never said a bad word about anyone. You never heard him cuss, you always saw him with a smile, even the last time he was publicly seen knowing it was his last time probably ever in Comerica Park. He treated people equally. From Al Kaline to an everyday average fan, he treated you with the same respect. He was ultimately the person we all wish to be one day.

We all were aware this was going to happen. Ernie, in his last farewell, prepared us for it. He told us not to worry. He told us not to cry, but of course we cried anyhow. He told us he had fulfilled the life as he wanted and that he was ready to say goodbye.

As the voice of summer may have passed, the great memories he created for all will be with us forever. Some may say, he was a broadcaster, a radio broadcaster at that. Ernie wasn't just a broadcaster. He touched many lives here in Michigan. He as often the voice that put you to sleep at night, listening to the Tigers lose. Now that his voice has forever been silenced, those who were close to him and the memories he gave you, we will hold those close to us forever.

One of the best ever left us yesterday. I find it very hard to believe anyone will ever be as great. RIP Ernie, thanks for all the great memories.




.