Born in Georgia in 1918, Ernie Harwell wasn’t made in Detroit. Rather, and more importantly, he was one of the things that made Detroit.
For generations of fans in Michigan, Ernie Harwell was the Detroit Tigers, as synonymous with the team as the old English D’s. Both of them. Personally, I can’t imagine my childhood without him.
I was thirteen years old on October 14, 1984. The Tigers won the World Series that night, and as Larry Herndon gloved the final out, the TV in our home was muted. Why? Simple. Ernie was on the radio. I assure you the same scenario played out all over the Great Lake state that wonderful autumn evening. If we could find out how many homes across Michigan were watching the television but listening to the radio during that game, the rest of the country wouldn’t believe it. That was the power of Ernie Harwell.
Like so many other people over his 92 years, I met Ernie once. He signed one of his books for me, and what I can tell you about that meeting would be no different than any other interaction any other person had with him. He was as warm and genuine as he was on the radio. In short, Ernie was the real deal. They don’t make them like that anymore. Not here. Not anywhere.
So on the day Ernie lies in state at the not so old ballpark, let’s reflect for just a moment on some of the ways Ernie was like all the great brands.
1. Great brands provide a superior product and unique customer experience.
I can imagine no greater voice than Ernie’s. And I know there was no greater person. Volumes could and should be written on the customer experience Ernie Harwell delivered for 42 wonderful seasons with the team and 55 seasons broadcasting Major League Baseball. He was always reliable and consistent, and he treated everyone the same way, whether they were famous or far from it. He genuinely cared about people.
2. Great brands stay relevant for the long haul.
On a personal level Ernie continued to stay relevant. He reportedly embraced e-mail and technology, and he never pined for the days or players of old. He was as much of a fan of today’s players as he was of their predecessors. He stayed in the moment, and relevant right until the end at 92 years of age. He was from another era, but not of it.
3. Great brands remain true to their core values.
Ernie knew who he was, and who he wanted to be. He remained true to his work ethic throughout his career and true to his religious beliefs until his final day. He didn’t want to be someone special, but a regular guy. Of course, he was destined to be more, but that was the way he acted and the way he consistently carried himself. His goal was to bring the joy of the game to people wherever they may have been listening. In 55 seasons of broadcasting big-league baseball he missed but two games. Neither was for illness.
4. Great brands make an emotional connection with their customers.
Ernie Harwell called his last Tiger game in 2002. Eight years later, and before his death this week, nearly 50,000 people were fans of a Facebook page devoted to changing the name of Comerica Park to Harwell Field at Comerica Park. Their numbers are now growing quickly. If there is a fan base anywhere else so devoted to an announcer I’d like to hear about it.
So now, we must reluctantly say goodbye to the ultimate Michigan brand. Ernie Harwell stood the test of time, and he did what the people of our state appreciate the most. He stayed. He could have left to work with another team or retired in a warmer climate. He stayed. Michigan was home.
Detroit and Michigan have been dealt another in a succession of painful blows. Ernie Harwell, our shining example of how to conduct ourselves both personally and professionally is gone. Remember Ernie. I always will.
Todd Hughes
May 06, 2010, 3:03pm Comments
