[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ERNIE HARWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2002

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce a resolution to 
congratulate Ernie Harwell. On September 29, 2002, Mr. Harwell signed 
off for the last time as the “voice of the Detroit Tigers.”
  For over forty years, Ernie Harwell has brought the Detroit Tigers 
alive for those who could not make it to the ballpark. Since 1960, 
people all over Michigan and the Great Lakes region have been able to 
listen to Mr. Harwell on the radio or television. In that time, Ernie 
Harwell has become synonymous with baseball, like hot dogs, peanuts, 
and Crackerjack.
  As a child, Ernie Harwell overcame a speech impediment and made his 
first mark in the sports world by writing for “The Sporting 
News”. As a sixteen year old, he was assigned as the 
correspondent to the Atlanta Crackers. In 1948, he became the only 
broadcaster to be traded for a player. The Brooklyn Dodgers sent Cliff 
Dapper to the Atlanta Crackers in exchange for Ernie Harwell. Since 
then, Mr. Harwell has broadcast games for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New 
York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and the Detroit Tigers. Amazingly, in 
those 55 years, Mr. Harwell missed only two games.
  Ernie Harwell has been inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, the 
National Sportscasters Hall of Fame and the Michigan Sports Hall of 
Fame. He has been named the Michigan Sportscaster of the Year 17 times. 
In 1981, Mr. Harwell became the first active broadcaster to be inducted 
into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
  Throughout the 2002 baseball season, Ernie Harwell has been 
recognized as one of the true greats of the game. He has been honored 
with pre-game ceremonies. He has thrown out first pitches. In 
Cleveland, the visitor's press box was renamed “The Ernie Harwell 
Visiting Radio Booth.” September 15, 2002, was “Ernie 
Harwell Day” at Comerica Park in Detroit.
  While Ernie Harwell is leaving the radio booth, he plans to remain 
active in the Detroit community. Mr. Speaker, I wish Ernie Harwell and 
his wife, Lulu, health and happiness as they pursue their future 
endeavors.

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