Ernie on WJR in 1977 is when I discovered baseball. Didn't know jack about the game -- at all -- until I heard him. Listened after I was supposed to be in bed. In my mind the only one who can even pretend to be in his league is Scully, and after him it's a long way down to the next guy.

Listening to Ernie yesterday was such a treat. Well worth RTFA, also.

My favourite story yesterday (in discussing the explosion of good hitting SS) was about Ray Oyler coming up to bat in a two-out situation and Dick McAuliffe bringing his glove, not his bat, into the on-deck circle.

I mentioned this in the Lounge yesterday, but Harwell at almost 90 is better than at least 90% of people in the booth today.

What extra bit of niceness did Roy White do to move ahead of Harwell?

after him it's a long way down to the next guy.

I think Bob Uecker is pretty good.



As for the game yesterday, it was pretty entertaining. I thought they went a little overboard on the old-timey talk (which Scully rarely does), but that's only natural considering Harwell isn't there much and it was a blowout.

Agreed. Scully's still there every day, so it's understandable.

And I forgot about Uecker. I agree he's solid.

Harwell's a great announcer, and he's a baseball historian to boot, but I'd still rather hear Jon Miller on a play-by-play. Though barely. But both Miller and Harwell project a personality that I've always found lacking in Scully, who's just a bit too laid back for my taste.

I caught some of the game as well, and it was a treat.
I agree with Kaufman, when Harwell goes into detail on a subject, he doesn't talk down to the audience. He's great for everyone to listen to, whereas I find national broadcasters like Buck and McCarver too often sound like they are talking to a grade four class.

That tag-up play would go something like this (about an inning later...)
McCarver: Let's go back and look at this play by Magglio Ordonez. You see, he waits until the ball is in the air, then he decides whether to run or not. See...there...the ball is over his head, and he's watching it. Looks like the outfielder might catch it, so now he goes back to the bag.
Buck: So he's gonna "tag-up" then try to score?
McCarver: EXACTLY, Joe. When he sees the outfielder might catch it, he tags up. And then...do we have a shot of the outfielder catching it? ... See, then as he catches the ball, THEN Ordonez takes off for home, and scores a run for the Tigers. That's just good fundamental baseball, Joe.
Audience: groans

I loved hearing some of Harwell's expressions and quick wit again yesterday as well.
*Called strike, third out
Mario: He just stood there
Ernie: Like a house, at the side of the road!

*while talking about the names on the Wall of Fame in stadium
Mario: importance of still having Al Kaline and Willie Horton involved with the organization. I think Horton might have cried when they put his name on the Wall.
Ernie: Well, of course Willie cries at card tricks, so that's nothing new.

It was a nice treat to have the day off and to get to watch that game up here in Toronto on Sportsnet. And to see Bonderman eventually settle down to have a nice start.

Litening to Harwell yesterday was like listening to your kindly, old grandfather tell stories about the old days without being an ####### and going off about "these kids today" and the like.

My idea of baseball heaven would be to have Ernie Harwell do three innings, Harry Kalas do three innings, and Vin Scully do three, no particular order. Then hope the game goes extras so they each do an inning or two more.

I’ve said it before...outside of Roy White, Ernie Harwell is the nicest man I’ve ever met in baseball.

Inside of Roy White, it's too dark to see who you're meeting ...

I seriously thought Harwell was dead.

Harwell's said that he's going to live to be 100 or die trying.