Major League Baseball

Kaline: Harwell greatest announcer of all time

Published May. 6, 2010 4:27 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

A choked-up Al Kaline recalled what Ernie Harwell said when he asked the Hall of Fame outfielder to accept the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award for sports broadcasting on his behalf.

Scully was the greatest announcer of all time.

``We Tiger fans respectfully disagree,'' Kaline told the crowd Wednesday night at WFUV Radio's Spring Gala, one day after Harwell died at 92 following a monthslong battle with cancer.

Kaline said that standing in for Harwell was like pinch-hitting for Ted Williams.

``After knowing Ernie for so many years, I feel his spirit is alive with us,'' Kaline said. ``He'd want us to remember him with a smile instead of a tear.''

Scully, in a video shot before Harwell died, quoted Shakespeare in describing Harwell: ``This was a man!''

CBS anchor Bob Schieffer and musician Levon Helm were also honored at the event.

Harwell spent 42 of his 55 years on the air calling Tigers games before retiring in 2002, befriending many players - Kaline included.

WFUV is a public radio station from the campus of Fordham University, Scully's alma mater.

The award debuted in 2008, when Scully, who got his start at the station as a student, was honored. Dick Enberg won last year.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball