Sound_Off's Blog

I am working on a book about the Detroit Tigers. My goal, since the start a year ago, was to interview Ernie Harwell. Who else? He is the authority on Tigers baseball, and just baseball in general.

I finally got ahold of him by phone and told him about my book idea, and asked if I could interview him. He said, would you like to do this over the phone, or in person? Naturally, I wanted to meet him, so I said I thought in person would be better. This was on a Wednesday. He says, tomorrow I'll be on the Jim Rome show and I have to do a commercial, Friday I have to give a speech someplace, how about Saturday morning? I could've been getting married that day and postponed it for this. I said yes. He invited me right over to his home.

I was shocked when I saw where he lived. The guy could live in a big mansion if he wanted, but by looking at his home, it just looks like your grandma's house or something. Very humble. It's as if the guy doesn't realize he's one of the most famous people in Michigan. I brought along a video camera and taped the interview. He told me I could stay as long as I wanted. I stayed for over two and a half hours! Here's me, never having written a book in my life, and I'm interviewing Ernie Harwell. He treated me like I was a Pulitzer Prize winner, like I was his equal or something.

I could've stayed all day. I got the picture with him that I have for this blog. He's just one heck of a good guy. I wish him a happy 90th, and many more.

Matt

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERNIE HARWELL

YOU ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL IN MY HEART! MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy birthday, Ernie. You're one of a kind, and I miss your presence in the broadcast booth.

Happy birthday Ernie, from one of your biggest fans, and WYDM radio Dream 97.5 FM in Monroe. I'll never forget hearing your voice acknowledging Bachelor and Evergreen churches from way up north in mason county, when we were able to attend those father and son games. You still look good, and sound great.