April 9, 2010 is now Ernie Harwell Day

Posted: March 26, 2010
Ticker
April 9 is now Ernie Harwell Day

BY STEVE SCHRADER
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Friday, April 9 will be more than the Tigers' home opener in the state of Michigan.

It also will be Ernie Harwell Day.

The Michigan Senate unanimously passed a resolution Thursday -- hey, like anyone would dare vote against Ernie! -- declaring April 9 as his day of honor.

The Tigers play the Indians at 1:05 p.m. at Comerica Park.

SR 136, sponsored by Sen. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, was adopted with the entire Senate and Lt. Gov. John Cherry asking to be included as co-sponsors.

The nine-paragraph resolution, which includes the use of "whereas" six times, stated that "generations of Michigan residents and Tigers fans have grown up listening to Ernie Harwell and often reminisce about his unique broadcasting style that includes a sweet Southern drawl, the annual visit from the Voice of the Turtle, and familiar phrases such as ... 'looooooong gone.' "

Harwell, 92, who has been battling terminal cancer, does not plan to attend the opener, according to his friend and attorney Gary Spicer, who knew Richardville intended to introduce the resolution and said Harwell was thrilled by it.

Michigan Senate's resolution

State Sen. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, offered the following resolution Thursday, which was approved unanimously:

Senate Resolution No. 136.

A resolution recognizing April 9, 2010, as Ernie Harwell Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Ernie Harwell, born and raised in Georgia, spent 55 years broadcasting Major League Baseball, beginning his baseball career with the Atlanta Crackers in 1943 and moving to the majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948; and

Whereas, Ernie Harwell found his way to Michigan in 1960, starting a 42-year run as the voice of the Detroit Tigers; and

Whereas, He perfectly embodied the working-class values of his adoptive home, missing only two broadcasts in his legendary career; and

Whereas, Ernie Harwell received more awards and honors than can possibly be listed, including induction into nine halls of fame, topped by winning the Ford C. Frick Award in 1981, and enshrinement in the broadcasters’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York; and

Whereas, Generations of Michigan residents and Tigers fans have grown up listening to Ernie Harwell and often reminisce about his unique broadcasting style that includes a sweet Southern drawl, the annual visit from the Voice of the Turtle, and familiar phrases such as "Right down Woodward," "He stood there by a house on the side of the road," and "That one is looooooong gone"; and

Whereas, April 9, 2010, will be the Detroit Tigers’ home opener of the 2010 baseball season; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body do hereby declare April 9, 2010, as Ernie Harwell Day in Michigan. We urge all Michigan residents and Detroit Tigers fans alike to celebrate the Detroit Tigers’ 2010 home opener as Ernie Harwell Day; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Ernie Harwell and the Detroit Tigers as a token of our highest esteem.

Go Ernie!