Ernie Harwell

From BR Bullpen

William Earnest Harwell

• Born January 25, 1918 in Washington, GA USA

Ernie Harwell was a broadcaster primarily for the Detroit Tigers. He began his career with the Atlanta Crackers in 1940.

Harwell worked for the Atlanta Crackers for six seasons, with three years off during the War, before he was promoted to the big leagues. In 1948, Branch Rickey called the Atlanta club to get their announcer. Red Barber took ill and they needed someone to fill in for the Ol' Redhead. Atlanta's ownership said they wanted catcher Cliff Dapper for Harwell. Rickey agreed and Harwell was traded to Brooklyn.

Dapper and Harwell never met until Harwell was retiring after many years in Detroit. Dapper came to Detroit to present Harwell with a videotape of tributes from baseball luminaries.

Harwell stayed in Brooklyn for two years before moving to the Giants for four seasons (1950-53). During this time, he called the Shot Heard 'Round the World on television. His call is lost to history as Russ Hodges' radio call endures.

When the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore, Ernie joined the club. He called games with another fellow Ford Frick Award winner, Chuck Thompson.

In 1960, Harwell replaced Van Patrick in Detroit. Harwell was the Tigers broadcaster for the next 31 years before he was unceremoniously fired. It was announced that Harwell would not be resigned after 1991. There was a great uproar in Detroit. After a 1992 season without Harwell, he returned to the airwaves for ten more seasons of Tigers baseball.

Ernie Harwell retired in 2002. His notable home run call was "Long gone!" He was also popular by announcing foul balls were "caught by a man from Sterling Heights", or "Windsor", or "Bay City." Every day he'd pick a new town in the Tigers listening area.

Ernie Harwell was honored with the Ford Frick Award in 1981. He is also a member of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame, and the Radio Hall of Fame.