I'm 35 now, but I vividly remember putting myself to sleep at night many times as a kid, listening to Ernie call a game on the West Coast in that wonderful, soothing, Southern-tinged voice. Ernie was beautifully complemented by the memorable, deep voice of his longtime broadcast partner, Paul Carey.
I can still feel the excitement of walking up that ramp and going in to Tiger stadium. What a joy that was! And Ernie and Paul - well that is my childhood - it just isn't the same without them - not to mention George Kell and AL Kaline on the TV. I remember in the 70"s - a Tiger Hime Run - was a "Superior Home Run" and that would win some lucky fan a case of Superior Potato Chips ................those crunchy, tasty chips........................I can still hear it in my head. Magic!
Gates Brown And Jim Northrup. They did a commercial for Superior potato chips back in the 70s: Gates: Come on, Jim share. Jim: No. Where's your bag of superior potato chips? Gates: Pick a number between 7 and 9. Jim: 8 Gates: That's right. I ate them. .
I remember that voice. It used to come from the transistor radio under my pillow most every night during the springs and summers of my youth. I thank God that He made my ma restrain herself from making me turn it off, even when I had school in the morning. For years I thought I was 'sneaking', but she heard every game!
Tiger Stadium, Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey ... what memories from my childhood! It's sad that the stadium and Ernie are now gone. I was cleaning out the boxes in my closet yesterday and came across a 1986 Tigers-Twins game that I had recorded on a cassette tape when I was a kid. I popped the old tape in the last cassette deck that I own and it actually played. It was surreal to hear Harwell and Paul Carey again calling a game after all of these years. What a treasure trove!
That great baseball writer from the Sporting News, Dave Kindred, once referred to Tiger Stadium as a "glorious opera house of a ballpark". That it most certainly was. As a fervent Tigers fan, I love Comerica Park, but I loved even more the history and character of Tiger Stadium.
Tiger Stadium Ernie Harwell and WJR radio. Three iconic things from my childhood that I will never forget. So many nights lying in bed as a kid with my radio by my pillow listening to Ernie Do the play-by-play with his partner Paul Carey. Great memories. And my dad getting mad. Because I would fall asleep and leave the radio on. LOL.
Everytime I think about watching games in Tiger stadium with my dad and listening to Ernie on the radio, I get a heavy heart. I miss both of them every season. Jim Campbell graduated from the same high school as me. 21 years old. Tigers fan for life.
Tiger Stadium remains an engineering wonder; an architectural gem that was killed by hubris, neglect, and Mike Illitch, the Tigers owner. The newer Comerica Park is already falling apart but Tiger Stadium's bones won't wobble. It could still be brought back to life.
Ernie Harwell granted me my first 'professional' interview, as a 15 year old Freshman at Bay City Central High School. We met in his office at the corner and chatted about his career as a big league announcer and the game itself. Through the years, we met many more times. I am indebted to Ernie for that opportunity and I wish he and Lulu as much time as the Lord allows. At 93 years young, Ernie is STILL one of my all-time heroes and I am thankful that he gave that scared kid a chance back then
Tiger Stadium was a little run down, but it was a terrific place to watch a ballgame. Those outfield box seats were sweet. I met Ernie Harwell at a Tigers fan fest a few years back. What a gracious, wonderful man. I spent a few summer nights listening to him on WJR as a kid, even though I was and still am an Indians fan. It's sad that a treasure like "The Corner" is neglected and on the verge of being destroyed. It's a microcosm of what is going on in our country.
First, they would drag the tarps on the field, then they would pull them back. This went on for I forget how long, seeing it's been 20+ years ago and don't remember everything about it. But what I can remember, is that I liked it, no matter how bad the weather was.
yes, leduff, they could have at least put a plaque on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull but they didn't even do that, after all, it was Michigan's part of "Americana" . It was where I seen my first baseball game along with many others who have may have seen their first at the time.
I wish I could find a high-quality video of José Feliciano's performance that day. Mr. Harwell, by way of his selection, contributed much more to promote diversity than he ever though he would.
I only saw 3 games at Tiger Stadium. All wins. 1 in 1992 against Boston, and 2 in 1999 against Pittsburgh and the Yankees. Those last 2 the old girl was in bad shape from what I remember. I love Comerica as well. I know fans hate it, but hear me out. The history of the ballclub throughout the stadium is great. The statues, retired numbers painted on the wall, the scoreboard. All elements I love about Comerica. We really do have a beautiful stadium. I just hope before I go in the ground, I see them win a World Series.
Needless to say, I did not know that It was going to be my last. It was back around the 1980s when the church I went to took the youth group. Everyone was seated at the top deck.. The Tigers were playing against the Royals and for some reason, it would rain on and off every 15-20 minutes.
@mdumas43073 I was living at the time, and I remember the controversy. Feliciano's performance was considered very disrespectful. You will notice that it was not repeated.
I was in Detroit in 1968, when Jose Feliciano butchered the national anthem. It was unpopular and engendered a lot of criticism. Soldiers were dying in Vietnam, the Detroit riots had occurred the year before, and society, as we knew it, was falling apart. The current condition of Detroit is ample proof of what such social irresponsibility produced. Feliciano's action was a symptom of that decline. I do not understand why singers have to interpret the song. Why can't they just sing it?
I agree they dont know what they are talking about, but Ernie wouldnt appreciate you defending his honor like that...voice your opinion yes, defend Ernie certainly, but do so with class dignity and respect, just like ernie would have
