OT: Sad News About Ernie Harwell - Old Detroit Shows

[Joe_G.]

Extremely sad news. I've been on the road and just now have an opportunity to chime in.

As Jay mentioned, we were extremely fortunate to receive Ernie's endorsement on our Old Judge book. Ernie is top notch, a true gentleman, with a love for the game 2nd to none. Detroit fans have enjoyed one of the games best broadcasters (in my biased opinion, the best) for 42 years.

My prayers will be with Ernie, Lulu, and family.

Here are some of the interesting tid-bits from his bio:

- Ernie began writing for "The Sporting News" in 1934! and has not stopped, still writing for the Detroit Free Press today. He has also authored several baseball books.
- Served 4 years in the Marines.
- Began broadcasting in 1948 logging a total of 55 years on radio and TV.
- The Brooklyn Dodgers traded their catcher Cliff Dapper for his services in 1948 (only announcer to be traded for a player). What a great team to cover in the late 40's.
- Mr. Harwell would find himself with New York by 1961 and would call Bobby Thomson's "shot heard around the world" on NBC television.
- Ernie would broadcast for the Tigers in 1960 and log 42 years with them.
- Among the many famous personalities Ernie has interviewed, Connie Mack, while still managing the Athletics. Who else can claim they interviewed someone from the Old Judge set?
- Ernie has an amazing baseball collection, largely donated to the Detroit Public Library including an interesting Old Judge collection containing a nice mix of cards including an extremely rare card of Flynn.

Below is a picture of Ernie sharing his collection back in 1959, a cabinet card of Connie Mack (one of Ernie's many interview subjects), and one of Ernie's rarest baseball cards (Old Judge of Flynn).