This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO2 Philip E. Montroy
to remember
Marine Sgt William Harwell.
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Sgt Harwell was honorably discharged from the USMC at the end of January, 1946. He reurned to his position of radio announcer for the Atlanta Crackers baseball team later that year. In 1948 he WAS TRADED FOR A PLAYER (only baseball announcer ever traded for an active player) to the Brooklyn Dodgers. He served in this position until 1950 when he went to work for the NY Giants. In 1954 he became the radio voice of the Baltimore Orioles until 1959. In 1960 Ernie accepted a radio announcer position for the Detroit Tigers and remained in that position for 42-years until his official retirement in 2002.
Ernie died at his home in Novi, MI on May 4, 2010. He was buried at the Oakwood Cemetery in Farmington, MI>
Other Comments:
To me, growing up in the Detroit area, Ernie Harwell was the only real radio voice of the Detroit Tigers. He was one of the major sports figures in Michigan. Ernie received many honors and awards during his career, to include: Major League Baseball Hall of Fame (1981), American Sportscasters Assoc. Hall of Fame (1991) and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1998). The total list of honors and awards is too large to include here. He has been called the most loved media personality in Michigan history and one of the most famous broadcasters in the U.S.
Ernie, I will really miss your voice on the radio and your many contributions to the world of sports. I'm even prouder knowing you once were a "Sergeant of Marines".