"That One is Long Gone"

Legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell passed away today at 92. When I heard the sad news, I hollered down the hall to Jay, who replied, "who?" Not everybody knows the voice of every baseball team. But Ernie Harwell was as good as they get. My reply to Jay: "he was the Vin Scully of the Detroit Tigers." An institution. A master of his craft. And a good, faithful man who will be missed by friends, family, baseball folks, fans in Detroit and nationwide.

My familiarity with Harwell's game descriptions is limited to anecdotes and effusive praise from Michigan residents and the greater baseball community. I wasn't there for Harwell's heyday, but somehow I understand how they feel. Growing up in New England, I spent eleven great summers with Joe Castiglione and Jerry "Way Back" Trupiano. Say what you want about Joe and his colloquialisms, Jerry's bombast, and their penchant for silly interactions during blowouts and rain delays, but I spent three hours with these guys several times a week, their words painting pictures in my mind of the game as it happened. I also heard from dozens of people who were fortunate enough to hear just how good Ken Coleman and Ned Martin were in their day. The connection a radio voice has with the listener is unlike anything else in this world - different from going to a game, different from watching it on TV.  It's hard to describe in words. But for those who experience that connection, it is meaningful. And that's what Ernie Harwell was for millions of Michigan kids with their transistor radios tuned into the action on humid summer nights for over 40 years.

When Mr. Harwell was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1981, his speech included a "definition of baseball," a vivid, lyrical description of the game's meaning to all of it's different fans across this sprawling nation. Castiglione and Dave O'Brien took a moment to play the audio at the end of tonight's Red Sox broadcast, and you can find the transcript here.