This One’s For Ernie

Detroit Stories

Opening Day 2011.  As 12:18pm PDT, the Detroit Tigers are locked in a 3-3 tie through six innings with the New York Yankees.  Justin Verlander, the Tigers ace, just worked his way out of two on one out jam to preserve the deadlock which I’m sure the Tigers will breakout of in the top of the 7^th to give Verlander his first win of the season.

The hope and joy of the usual Opening Day ballgame is tempered somewhat this year as someone and something is missing.  Last year, Detroit and baseball lost Hall of Fame radio announcer Ernie Harwell to the ages.

Below is Ernie’s opening salvo to the Detroit Tigers nation.  This bit from the Song of Solomon (2:12) has been the signifier of a new season of Tigers baseball for my great grandfathers, grandfather, the Old Man, my brothers and now my nephew and once again, I offer it you dear readers.

The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

My sole prediction for the baseball year 2012: the Tigers win the competitive AL Central.

*12:33 PDT – the Yankees Curtis Granderson hits a mammoth shot to left to put the Yankees up 4-3 in the bottom of the 7^th.  Damn Kitties!  So much for hope springing eternal.