Famous recognizable voices can bring to mind certain movie characters, historical news moments, or specific memories from the past. Each spring from 1960 to 2002 Michiganders thrilled to hear the "voice of summer" - the voice of Detroit Tiger baseball, Ernie Harwell. Ernie called the action of Tiger games for 42 years, creating one of my favorite childhood memories. More recently that voice informed us how to prepare for the transition to digital TV and spoke out for fitness and healthy living.
Last year Ernie was diagnosed with incurable cancer and died yesterday at age 92. Ernie was set to receive the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting in New York - today. Al Kaline will receive the award on Ernie's behalf - which is poignant for me because Kaline was "my" Tiger, playing his entire major league career with Detroit.
It is not unusual for radio personalities to begin to feel like part of the family; that was probably never more true in my family than with the beloved Ernie Harwell. I hope my dad has had a chance to welcome him to heaven.
On this early day in May, I join the crowd saying good-bye to Ernie. Thank you, Ernie, for all of those wonderful days of summer.
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