Today's "Statuesday" entry is the life-sized statue found just inside the entry of the new Tiger Stadium.... er "Comerica Park" in downtown Detroit. This one features the announcer Ernie Harwell. I took these photos during the summer during my first and only (so far) visit to the Detroit Tigers ballpark. It was a good season for the Tigers.There are many statues around the ballpark, actually. I featured another one in a previous post.
I saw Ernie Harwell speak a few years ago, and he was truly a great man. He passed away since. Now this statue is one of the memories of him.
Detroit is known for the Lions and Tigers and cars. Unfortunately, it was also known for its crime. Several months ago, perhaps shortly before I took these photos, someone stole the glasses off Ernie. Now the statue is blind, as you can see in the photo.
Manuel is also back now after a blogging hiatus. Click here to see his latest entry, with a similar photo of a statue of Walt Disney that guards Disneyland.
7 comments:
Ah well. With or without his glasses Ernie could see a lot more than most people do. You're right, he was a great man.
I mourned the loss of Tiger Stadium, but I have been won over by Comerica Park. It's a wonderful place to watch a ballgame. Mostly, though, what I liked was to listen to the game, especially in the spring when all things were possible, especially when Ernie Harwell was there, telling me the stories. A great man.
Ernie sounds like a delightful man. We have our long term announcer at our stadium and just found out that if the first ever PaC 12 championship is held here, that our announcer will not be allowed to call the game! He will be replaced by some east coast yahoo blow bag who likely knows zip about our boys and the Duck history. Can you tell we're a bit upset by this?
So many great kid and adult memories are tied to long term sports announcers. I never heard your Ernie that I know of, but I can imagine your respect and affection for the man.
Too bad some creep stole his glasses!
Torch; I am only the most casual of baseball fans. I wish I had listen to him more. He was very friendly and avuncular. A real class act.
Silly: That replacement Duck announcer sounds like a daffy idea.
Gosh, I have never heard of Ernie Harwell. Nice statue, though.
Most of these great baseball announcers aren't too well known out of their home area.
Interesting. I know there are a couple of statues at Minute Maid Park of a couple of players. Has anyone done a full book of pictures of ballpark statues?
Whew! Glad to know that.
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