H. RES. 1328
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
May 11, 2010
RESOLUTION
Whereas William Earnest Ernie
Harwell was
born in Washington, Georgia, in 1918, graduated from Emory University, and
began his career as a copy editor and sportswriter for the Atlanta Constitution
and as a regional correspondent for The Sporting News;
Whereas Ernie Harwell served four years in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, after which he announced games on the radio for the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association;
Whereas Ernie Harwell became the only announcer in baseball history to be traded for a player when the Brooklyn Dodgers acquired his services from the Atlanta Crackers in 1948;
Whereas Ernie Harwell called baseball games for the
Brooklyn Dodgers through 1949, the New York Giants from 1950 to 1953, including
his call of Bobby Thomson’s shot heard ’round the world
in the
1951 National League pennant playoff game on NBC television, and the Baltimore
Orioles from 1954 to 1959;
Whereas in 1960, Ernie Harwell began calling games at the
corner of Michigan and Trumbull as the voice
of Detroit Tigers
baseball, until his retirement from broadcasting in 2002;
Whereas Ernie Harwell called the 1984 World Series for the
Tigers and WJR Radio, exclaiming Here comes Herndon, he’s got it! And
the Tigers are the champions of 1984!
;
Whereas Ernie Harwell broadcast two Major League All-Star Games (1958 and 1961) and two World Series (1963 and 1968) for NBC Radio, numerous American League Championship Series and American League Division Series for CBS Radio and ESPN Radio, the CBS Radio Game of the Week from 1992 to 1997, professional and college football, and the Masters Tournament of golf;
Whereas Ernie Harwell was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the fifth broadcaster to receive its Ford C. Frick Award in 1981, inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1989, and inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1998;
Whereas in January 2009, the American Sportscasters Association ranked Harwell 16th on its list of Top 50 Sportscasters of All Time;
Whereas, on May 5, 2010, Ernie Harwell was posthumously awarded the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting;
Whereas Ernie Harwell thrilled baseball fans with his
signature call of That ball is looooong gone!
, and said,
Baseball is a lot like life. It’s a day-to-day existence, full of ups
and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in
life.
;
Whereas Ernie Harwell’s low-key delivery and colorful, conversational style are synonymous with baseball and known to fans across the Nation;
Whereas Ernie Harwell began the first spring training
broadcast of each season with a reading from Song of Solomon 2:11–12:
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers
appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of
the turtle is heard in our land.
;
Whereas for 55 years, Ernie Harwell endeared Americans in his broadcast of over 8,400 baseball games;
Whereas Ernie Harwell spent 43 of his 55 major league seasons calling games for the Detroit Tigers;
Whereas Ernie Harwell said, I know we’re all going
at some time, and I’m ready for whatever God’s got
;
Whereas, on May 4, 2010, Ernie Harwell, residing in Novi, Michigan, passed away at the age of 92 after a long career enjoyed by millions; and
Whereas Ernie Harwell is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Lulu, their four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, and by baseball fans across the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
honors the life
and legacy of William Earnest Ernie
Harwell for his significant
contributions to Major League Baseball;
expresses profound sorrow at his passing on May 4, 2010; and
expresses sincere condolences to his wife Lulu, and the rest of his family, friends, colleagues, and admirers.
Clerk.