My thanks to Jeff Totten of SCORE Ministries for treating my son, Joel, and I to one of the best nights at Comerica Park we have ever experienced. Jeff is the Chapel Leader for the Detroit Tigers, a member of Woodside Bible Church in Troy, and the founder of a great evangelistic organization called SCORE Ministries. 

Our evening began at 5:50 pm in Suite 151 at Comerica Park. Jeff invited about 20 area pastors to a meet and greet with Tiger’s Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell.  My son and I had met Ernie about five years ago at a Home Plate event at Comerica Park, also sponsored by SCORE Ministries. But this is the first time we had gotten to spend an extended amount of time with Ernie one on one.

Ernie will be 90 in January. His mind has not diminished and his wit is still sharp. He regaled us with stories, from being one of the few journalists to ever interview Ty Cobb to one of his most embarassing moments as a broadcaster (at least the most embarassing one he could share with “church people”!). The highlight was listening as Ernie recited from memory his famed 1955 poem, “Baseball, A Game for All America” which ended with resounding applause.

Ernie is a gentleman’s gentleman. You would think his fame would make him unapproachable, but nothing could be further from the truth. It has been my honor to have had Ernie as a guest on my radio program twice. The last thing he said to me before leaving the suite last night was, “Paul, you call me any time you need to speak to me on your program.” 

This morning as I was entering the Big Boy for my ritual breakfast the front page of the Detroit Free Press caught my eye and there, gracing the headline above the fold, was a picture of Ernie Harwell. Ernie is still at it, working hard to preserve the old Tiger Stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumball. I knew at that moment I wanted to talk to Ernie about the Free Press piece. And, after all, he had just told me to call him anytime. But was it too soon to take the great Hall of Fame Broadcaster up on his offer?

Was he just being polite? Did he really mean it? Would I appear to him to be a stalker if I actually called him less than 24 hours after his gracious offer? I worked up the nerve and placed the call from my booth in the Big Boy. As soon as I identified myself Ernie replied, “Paul, it’s been a long time since the last time we spoke last night!” accompanied by a gracious laugh. I apologized for calling him so soon, told him about seeing him featured on the front page of the Free Press, and would he please consider speaking to me on-air once again. Without hesitation, he checked his calendar, and accepted my invitation to join me this afternoon on The Paul Edwards Program to talk about his efforts to see part of the old Tiger Stadium preserved.

If you ever have the privilege of meeting Ernie Harwell, just introduce yourself and be yourself, and Ernie will just be Ernie. You’ll think you’re talking to your dad. And you’ll be warm inside for days after.