Ernie Harwell Voice of Detroit Tigers

On my walk through the small, peaceful Oakwood Cemetery in Farmington, Michigan, I visited the grave of my all-time favourite baseball announcer—William Ernest “Ernie” Harwell (with Tom Hamilton, Vin Scully and Tom Cheek right behind him in my heart).

Ernie was the iconic voice of the Detroit Tigers for 40 years, except for one brief interruption in 1992 when the organization decided to let him go at the height of his career. The then team president and former Michigan Wolverine football coach, Bo Schembechler, remarked simply, “We are going in a new direction.”

Bo was a legendary football coach and not so legendary baseball executive.

Fortunately, the very next season, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch (of Little Caesar’s Pizza fame) took over and promptly reinstated Ernie to his rightful place behind the microphone and home plate. Thank goodness for that decision.

A Hall of Fame inductee and winner of numerous awards—including the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award—Ernie Harwell passed away on May 4, 2010, at the age of 92. Two days later, his open casket and public visitation at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit drew thousands of mourners, a testament to the love and respect he earned from generations of fans.

He rests besides his wife Lulu who he often mentioned during his game calling.

1918-2010