I had the pleasure of interviewing Ernie Harwell today. With tomorrow being Opening Day at Comerica Park, it was a great time to meet 'the voice of Tigers baseball.'
"It's a big thrill for me. It's always a great occasion. Always has been in Detroit," Harwell said of Opening Day. "There are only two cities in the U.S. that have a big civic celebration on Opening Day. Detroit is one of them." *
Harwell said the season opener is three holidays in one.
"It's like Easter because a lot of people come just once a year, like church. It's like Fourth of July because you have all the fireworks and excitement. And it's like Christmas because you open your new present. Fans see what they're going to get in their package for the year, and of course everyone starts equal."
So, how does Harwell think the Tigers will fare?
"Hope springs eternal," he said.
Harwell called Detroit Tigers games from "the corner of Michigan and Trumbull" 1960-2002.
I remember my gramps would listen to games on the car radio while I played in the park. Harwell truly was the voice of summer.
These days, he's a spokesperson for healthy living.
At 91, he jumps rope 300 times a day, and starts each morning with a 15-minute routine of stretching, lunges and deep squats. Then he works out in the gym at his retirement home in Novi.
"I think the only day I missed they were fixing something in the gym and it was closed," he said.
As a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Harwell promotes walking as an easy route to fitness.
"All you need is a pair of shoes," he said, recalling the days he and coach Sparky Anderson would walk together for exercise in cities across the nation as they toured with the great American pasttime.
Tomorrow at the ballpark, Harwell will lead a tribute to former Tigers third baseman George Kell, who died last month.
On my way to the interview with Harwell, I passed the old Tigers stadium. Judy Mydol really gave a good fight to save that place, and Harwell was a strong part of the effort for a long time.
Still, Harwell conceded he likes Comerica Park.
"There's lots to do for families, even if you don't watch the game," he said.
* The other city that celebrates Opening Day like The D is Cincinatti, according to Harwell.
"It's a big thrill for me. It's always a great occasion. Always has been in Detroit," Harwell said of Opening Day. "There are only two cities in the U.S. that have a big civic celebration on Opening Day. Detroit is one of them." *
Harwell said the season opener is three holidays in one.
"It's like Easter because a lot of people come just once a year, like church. It's like Fourth of July because you have all the fireworks and excitement. And it's like Christmas because you open your new present. Fans see what they're going to get in their package for the year, and of course everyone starts equal."
So, how does Harwell think the Tigers will fare?
"Hope springs eternal," he said.
Harwell called Detroit Tigers games from "the corner of Michigan and Trumbull" 1960-2002.
I remember my gramps would listen to games on the car radio while I played in the park. Harwell truly was the voice of summer.
These days, he's a spokesperson for healthy living.
At 91, he jumps rope 300 times a day, and starts each morning with a 15-minute routine of stretching, lunges and deep squats. Then he works out in the gym at his retirement home in Novi.
"I think the only day I missed they were fixing something in the gym and it was closed," he said.
As a spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Harwell promotes walking as an easy route to fitness.
"All you need is a pair of shoes," he said, recalling the days he and coach Sparky Anderson would walk together for exercise in cities across the nation as they toured with the great American pasttime.
Tomorrow at the ballpark, Harwell will lead a tribute to former Tigers third baseman George Kell, who died last month.
On my way to the interview with Harwell, I passed the old Tigers stadium. Judy Mydol really gave a good fight to save that place, and Harwell was a strong part of the effort for a long time.
Still, Harwell conceded he likes Comerica Park.
"There's lots to do for families, even if you don't watch the game," he said.
* The other city that celebrates Opening Day like The D is Cincinatti, according to Harwell.
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