Photo and article by Gina Myers
When Ernie Harwell's diagnosis of cancer was made public, many Michiganders received the news as if it were affecting a family member or a close friend. For many, the legendary broadcaster did indeed feel like a close friend—a voice they could tune into night after night, one that had been there over the years and through good times and bad.
Bay City resident and Delta College English Instructor Ronald L. Brown is one such person. He recalls various moments in his life when Harwell was there for him, whether it was when he first fell in love with baseball, or later in life when he was able to meet Harwell in the press room at Tiger Stadium.
"I've been speechless three times in my life: the first time I met Gordie Howe, the time I shook the hand of Bruce Springsteen, and the time I met Ernie Harwell," explains the usually loquacious Brown. "He is such a gentleman, and I couldn't spit out one simple word—not even a 'hello.'"
Brown knows he is not alone as he relays story after story of people affected by Harwell's kindness and generosity. Some stories come from close friends, others he heard on the radio or read in the paper.
In one story, Brown tells about a friend who had moved out of state and had been away for several years. After some unfortunate events, the friend was returning to Michigan, driving north on I-75. He tuned the radio into the ball game, something he hadn't done in years, and Harwell's voice was a comfort. "It was like coming home," Brown says.
"Ernie is one of my heroes, a real inspiration," says Brown. "I have never heard one bad thing about him, and you don't really see people of his character anymore. He is kind, generous, strong in his faith, and a model for living."
Although Harwell has always been one of Brown's heroes, it was upon hearing of his diagnosis that Brown knew he wanted to do something—he wasn't sure exactly what—to celebrate the man. And that is when he started to think about all the stories.
"I decided I wanted to write about Ernie and how he has been there and affected these various parts of my life, but then I wanted to do something bigger than that. I knew I wasn't the only one affected by him, and I started talking to people, and everyone had a story."
While it is still a little unclear exactly what form the project will take, either a long essay or a book, Brown is beginning to work by collecting stories that celebrate Harwell. If you have a story that you would like to share, you can contact Brown at ronaldbrown@delta.edu.
© Gina Myers, 2009