Ernie Harwell, legendary voice of the Tigers, dies at 92

Ernie Harwell died tonight after his nearly year-long battle with cancer. He was 92. Harwell was a legend in the entire state of Michigan for his voice and kind heart. Harwell’s style was simple. He didn’t get overexcited or drown the game out with his endless talk. Instead, he let the game be the star, allowing for quiet moments that allowed the fan to hear the sounds of the ball park — the crack of the bat, the hum of the crowd, the pop of the leather. Harwell was never bigger than the game as some personalities have become. He was just a regular guy who would go out of his way to make others feel special. Not much else can be said. Few words are needed to capture how special he was — and less words, the better, that was his style. My heart and prayers go out to his family, Detroit, and the entire baseball world. The game just lost another legend.

*This September story in the USA Today stuck with me until this day. It’s a great look at how special Ernie was.

*Joe Posnanski says he was lucky to know Ernie Harwell — that “In this life you only get to meet so many beautiful people. I’ve been lucky. I knew Buck O’Neil. And I knew Ernie Harwell.”

*John Parent of Motor City Bengals remembers Ernie Harwell.

*J. Ellet Lambie’s Evening with Ernie may sum up his life best. Awesome story showing what a great person Ernie was.

RIP Ernie