[Writer's note: This was originally printed in the Midland Daily News after Mr. Harwell announced his retirement.]
Thanks for the memories
By Dennis Dubay
In the soap opera that is baseball, we watch as boys become men, stars become legend and legend become myth.
Every April a new season begins. Full of hope and decadence, our teams shall dance until the end in glorious fashion.
And there to sing the praises and keep us abreast of everything that is true in the universe of nine innings is the voice of our sport. Whether our team be 50-112 or 104-58, he tells the story of Jack to Lance, from Alan to Lou.
But no more. You see, the voice would rather fade away then have his faithful brethren turn the channel.
After 64 years in the booth, 42 with the Detroit Tigers, Ernie Harwell is calling it a career. To say it’s the end of an era would be an injustice. It would be the equivalent of saying Babe Ruth was a fine hitter or that Joe Montana sure could throw a football.
Harwell is the last of a dying breed. Though the players on the field are now multi-millionares, it is men like Ernie Harwell that are priceless.
For many, Harwell is the soundtrack of many a summer. Growing up, there was no such thing as 100 channels on the television. Atleast, not where I grew up. Once in a great while we’d get that ol’ TV to pick up a Tiger game with Al Kaline and George Kell, but most of the times we’d have to listen to the game on the radio.
But don’t cry for us baseball fans. That was indeed an honor.
Sitting with my Father at the kitchen table, Dad would tell me about the “good ol’ days” of Bill Freehan, Mickey Lolich and a guy named Denny Mclain. And inbetween our conversation would be Ernie:
“And that’s two for the price of one”
And as I said before, It was an honor to listen to Ernie. Only, I didn’t realize that until I was much older. When all my hero’s started to disapear. First it was Kirk and then it was Lance and eventually Alan and Lou.
And all we’re left with now are images, painted in majestic colors thanks to Ernie.
Atleast we have the rest of the season left to enjoy. Let’s not take these last few innings for granted.
Thanks for the memories
