Ernie Harwell -- An Onstage Conversation on 12/10/08

Friday, December 5, 2008
Cause for a pause: Harwell will help you relive the Tigers' magical 1968

No one ever can get too much of the 1968 Tigers, especially when three people who were involved in all the merriment from Detroit's biggest World Championship celebration talk about it in detail.

Ernie Harwell , Mickey Lolich and Mickey Stanley will reflect on a magical season when they appear from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Detroit Public Library.

The evening, billed as "Ernie Harwell -- An Onstage Conversation," will feature a pair of '68 Tigers stars, Lolich and Stanley, talking about the moments and the essence of an extraordinary season in Detroit sports history.

Lolich won three games in the '68 Series against St. Louis, including the seventh game when he beat ace Bob Gibson . Stanley, a gifted center fielder, was switched to shortstop for the Series in an effort to accommodate the bat of superstar Al Kaline , who would have been tough to utilize fulltime in an era before the designated hitter existed.

Harwell, of course, was the Tigers broadcaster whose "Year of the Tiger" record album of dramatic broadcast moments from 1968 became an iconic treasure for Detroit fans.

The Ernie Harwell Collection of baseball memorabilia, valued at more than $4 million, was donated several years ago to the Detroit Public Library, at 5201 Woodward Ave.

Three tiers of tickets are available for the program: $50, which entitles ticket-holders to the 90-minute auditorium program; $100, which includes the program and a limited-edition '68 Tigers poster signed by the three; and $150, which includes the program, poster, and a one-hour reception with Harwell, Lolich and Stanley from 6-7 p.m.

Tickets can be obtained by calling (313) 884-9700.

Detroit News staff reports

Wish I lived in the metro area, I would love to go to this!

I have class at that time. Besides, I don't have 50 bucks just lying around.