None better. A legend gone.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 05/04/10 at 08:32 PM ET

Very, very sad news.  I can’t tell you how sad I am at this.  We obviously all knew this would happen eventually, but somewhere in the back of my mind I suppose I felt “He’s Ernie, he’ll always be around”.

There were two radio voices I grew up with:  Ernie Harwell and JP McCarthy.  People outside of Detroit probably won’t know McCarthy, but he was pretty much *the* voice of WJR while I was growing up.

And then there was Ernie Harwell.  A distinct voice, a knack for describing the action to you in a way you could almost actually see it, and a great teller of stories.  And most of all, just a great man, period.  I had the pleasure of meeting the man in person just once, but he was everything he was billed and then some.

Ernie and JP were the reason I went to school and then into radio broadcasting as a career.

When I was still in high school, the Tigers actually let Ernie Harwell go the first time.  People were devastated.  The morning the news hit I distinctly remember our principal getting on the P.A> and telling everyone to steer clear of him for the day because he was grumpy because of Ernie going.

Honestly, as I sit here at intermission of the Wings game, I’m bummed beyond words.

I wish more broadcasters (TV and radio both) were like Ernie.  Most today could learn a thing or two about true class from him.

Posted by Primis on 05/04/10 at 08:33 PM ET

This sucks

Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 05/04/10 at 08:38 PM ET

Rest in Peace Mr. Harwell.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 05/04/10 at 09:02 PM ET

Just hearing this news. A truly sad day.

I will always remember I was 15 and along with a friend we attended a night game at Tiger Stadium. The game was over and as we waited for my Mother to pick us up, my friend and I were hanging out at the players parking lot ( those of you old enough will know where this was) hoping for autographs. Most of the players passed by , some stopped , but most not.

  The security guard kept trying to shoo us away, and just then I spotted Ernie heading to his car. I shouted to him and he gave us a big wave. I yelled to him could we get an autograph and he said “sure” and waved us inside the gate and past the security guard. It was probably past 10:30 and I’m sure he was tired and wanted to get home, but he could not have been more kind and generous to just a couple of kids.

I still have that autograph in a scrapbook and it means even more to me today.

Posted by Down River Dan on 05/04/10 at 09:06 PM ET

None better then Ernie.  So many good summertime memories can be narrated by his voice.

Posted by Jon Cendrowski from Detroit, MI on 05/04/10 at 09:29 PM ET

Primis, I can say I have been lucky enough to know both J.P and Ernie.

Two different types of people, but both could light up a room in different ways.

I became closer to Ernie in the last five years and I will never forget him. 

A true gentleman and a man of faith.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 05/04/10 at 11:19 PM ET

I remember secretly listening to Ernie on my walkman when my mom thought I was asleep. When we moved away from michigan, on a clear summer night I could sometimes get the Tigers game on the radio. It was the only link I had of home. His voice, his personality..its in part what makes baseball so special sometimes. He will be missed.

Posted by UMFan from Denver, Colorado on 05/05/10 at 12:43 AM ET

I know How it feels Down here is Pittsburgh we Lost Bob Prince of the Pirates(Play By Play) & Myron Cope of the Steelers, I hurts !!! but Life Goes on & just think that Mr. Harwell is no longer in any pain

Posted by Evilpens on 05/05/10 at 07:17 AM ET

Puts the Red Wings loss last night in an entirely different perspective.

God Bless Ernie, his family, and the untold millions of people he touched during his lifetime.  Ernie was Tiger baseball, he always will be.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/05/10 at 09:08 AM ET

I will miss this man so much.

So will I, Paul. 

Thanks, Ernie.  We miss you greatly.

Posted by SYF from the bottom of my, what, 11teenth pint of Guinness? on 05/05/10 at 03:03 PM ET