Those who are remembered are never truly gone

By now it's no longer news but I thought I would dedicate a post to Detroit's beloved Ernie Harwell because it seemed like a good thing to do.  This week 97.1 the ticket has been flooded with calls about their favorite Ernie moments and memories, their experiences at his memorial at Comerica Park and how no one can replace him.

I myself do not have a great Ernie memory.  I never met the man, never got to listen to him call a Tiger's game and I didn't even know what he looked like until his cancer announcement.  Regardless, while driving to work on Wednesday morning I heard Ernie's Baseball Hall of Fame speech from 1981 and it made me appreciate not only his voice but his person.  He truly is a great man who loved the city of Detroit and loved the sport of baseball.

Ernie Harwell Final Farewell, Thanks Ernie!

Ernie Harwell is best known for calling balls, strikes and home runs for the Detroit Tigers for 42 years. He retired in 2002 and earlier this month was diagnosed with inoperable, incurable cancer of his bile duct.  

Last night at Comerica Park, in the middle of the third inning of the Tigers win against the Kansas City Royals, he said what will probably his last goodbye to the Tigers, their fans and the city of Detroit.  Harwell thanked the Tigers organization, specifically Mike Ilitch and Dave Dombrowski.  He declared that there were no better fans than Tigers fans.  And he told of his love for the state of Michigan and the "grit" of those who live here.  All while the crowd at Comerica cheered.  I think the "sweetest sorrow" part of his speech was when he said that the best part of his life, his story, was that it would end here in Michigan.  

Once again, Ernie revealed how humble and thankful he is to have had the career he did.  He was the first announcer inducted in to the Baseball Hall of Fame while still working.  He will also be named honorary captain this Sunday as the Lions take on the Vikings at 1pm at Ford Field.  Ernie is truly a legend of baseball, and he will always be remembered.