Happy 90th Birthday to Ernie Harwell

Legendary Announcer Ernie Harwell just turned 90. He retired 2 years ago, but I have fond memories of listening to him while I was growing up.

Then one day they fired him. Imagine that happening to Vin Scully.

This is how much the Tigers used to suck:

Via 1990:
I'm told it was a business decision," he said, when asked why the Detroit Tigers, had suddenly, after 31 years of the finest baseball broadcasting in America, told him he was out of a job after the 1991 season.

"The Tigers said they wanted to go in a new direction. . . . I would have liked to continue broadcasting, but . . . this is what they decided. I have to accept that."

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This day, this sunny Wednesday in the middle of December, will forever be a black mark on the history of this franchise. Ernie Harwell, who gave and gave, deserved to pick his own exit, to take his bows when he felt he was finished. The Tigers and WJR have denied him this. They have killed the voice of baseball. Even worse, they have robbed a gentleman of his dignity. And in doing so, they have lost all of theirs.

Shame on them.

Ernie was rehired a year later.

Praise be to God for the restoration he brought to the Tigers.