Interviews •
Archives •
Updated!! Vignettes •
Radio Stations •
Up and Comers •
In the Spotlight •
View from the Booth •
Where Are They Now •
Newsletter •
Mailing List •
Donations •
Comments/Feedback •
About Us •
Contact Us •
Links •
Home •

I am sometimes asked what my favorite interviews have been over the last 18 years. Of the nearly 400 athletes and sports figures that I have spoken with I think Ernie Harwell has to be near the top of the list. Harwell was the voice of the Detroit Tigers for more than 40 years, and before that, he was the play by play announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles. He died May 4 from cancer.

I had two visits with Ernie over the years, and a handful of phone calls. Both interviews were in Lakeland, Florida, the winter home of the Tigers. The first one came in March of 1993, when I called the Tigers for a possible interview time. They told me I could call Ernie at home, something that rarely happens. Ernie invited me to just come over to his apartment before the Tigers’ spring training game. Amazingly, with my friend Bill Eakin by my side, I got lost, and never found the apartment. I was incredibly disappointed, but decided to go to the Tigers’ game anyway, and perhaps apologize. By God’s providence, we found Ernie and he was very gracious. We did the interview in the Tigers’ broadcast booth.

The second interview came in 2000, again during spring training. This time, because of the schedule, the only date available was before the Tigers road game against the Kansas City Royals in Haines City, Florida. In talking to Ernie about this, he said, “Where are you staying?” I told him and he said, “I’ll pick you up.” I was floored. Again with my friend, Bill Eakin, I waited nervously outside the Day’s Inn watching for a car being driven by a man in his 80’s. When the car arrived, it was Ernie, but also the Tigers’ broadcast team in 2000 of Rick Rizzs and Jim Price. Bill, Ernie, and I squeezed into the back seat for one of the most memorable rides in my life.

Ernie Harwell loved people, and it showed in his broadcasts. He rarely raised his voice, and he was often silent between pitches so that fans could hear the shout of the vendor or the pop of a pitch in the catcher’s glove. It was like being at the game. He was so at ease, that when I conducted the first interview in 1993, he broke into a song he had written for Detroit pitcher Denny McClain in the 1960’s. He also told about how he had found Christ.

“It was the spring of 1960,” he said, “and we heard there was a Billy Graham crusade down in Bartow.” Bartow is a town just south of Lakeland. “I heard the presentation,” he continued, “and when the call was given, I walked down the aisle and gave my life to Christ.” It was typical Harwell style, succinct, carefully chosen words, to the point. He had time for everyone. During a game at Detroit’s Comerica Park in 2009, the game was stopped so that Harwell could come on the field and say goodbye. He was suffering from cancer. Typically, he took his time getting to the microphone, stopping along the way to talk to some security guards. His words were poignant, but the message came through loud and clear. “I’m ready to face what comes,” he said. “Whether it’s a long time or a short time is all right with me because it’s up to my Lord and savior.” Ernie died eight months later to the day. I only knew him briefly, but he made me feel like a lifelong friend.

Interviews • Archives • Vignettes • Radio Stations • Up and Comers • In the Spotlight • View from the Booth • Where Are They Now
Newsletter • Mailing List • Donations • Feedback • About Us • Contact Us • Privacy Policy • Links • Home