Ernie Harwell – A Legendary Baseball Broadcaster
Ernie Harwell was an American sportscaster who spent 55 years of his career announcing Major League Baseball games on the radio. He was the play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Tigers on the Michigan Radio Network from 1960 to 2002. His career spanned four decades, during which he earned the title of “The Voice of Baseball” and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Trading Ernie Harwell for a Baseball Player?
In the midst of his career, there was a rumor that Ernie Harwell was once traded for a baseball player. While it sounds implausible, the rumor is actually based on a true story.
A Radio Station Trades Ernie Harwell
In 1949, Ernie Harwell was working as a sportscaster for WSB radio in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, he was the voice of the Atlanta Crackers, a minor league baseball team in the Southern Association.
At the end of the season, the radio station decided to shake things up and trade Ernie Harwell for a baseball player. The player they chose was catcher Walker Cooper, who was playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts at the time.
The Trade
The trade was a shock to many in the baseball world, including Ernie Harwell himself. He was traded straight up for Walker Cooper and his contract with the radio station was terminated.
According to Ernie, he was offered a job with the Atlanta Crackers, the minor league team he had been announcing for, but he turned it down. He wanted to stay in radio and eventually ended up with the Detroit Tigers.
Walker Cooper’s Career
Walker Cooper had a successful career with the Atlanta Crackers. He played for the team for three seasons and was an all-star in 1950 and 1951. He went on to have a twelve-year career in the major leagues, playing for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs.
Ernie Harwell’s Career
Ernie Harwell went on to have a legendary career in radio, broadcasting for the Detroit Tigers for 42 years. He was known for his folksy style of announcing and his love of the game. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and was the recipient of several awards, including the Ford C. Frick Award in 1981 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Was Ernie Harwell Really Traded for a Baseball Player?
So, was Ernie Harwell really traded for a baseball player? The answer is yes. While it may seem implausible, Ernie Harwell was indeed traded straight up for Walker Cooper in 1949.
The Aftermath
Both Ernie Harwell and Walker Cooper went on to have successful careers in baseball. Ernie Harwell became a legendary broadcaster, while Walker Cooper had a twelve-year career in the major leagues.
The Legacy of Ernie Harwell
Ernie Harwell’s legacy continues to live on in the baseball world. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and was the recipient of several awards, including the Ford C. Frick Award in 1981 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Today, Ernie Harwell is remembered as one of the greatest broadcasters in baseball history. He is fondly remembered for his love of the game and his folksy style of announcing.
Conclusion
The rumor that Ernie Harwell was traded for a baseball player is true. In 1949, Ernie Harwell was traded straight up for Walker Cooper, a catcher for the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Both Ernie Harwell and Walker Cooper went on to have successful careers in baseball. Ernie Harwell became a legendary broadcaster and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. Walker Cooper had a twelve-year career in the major leagues.
Today, Ernie Harwell is fondly remembered as one of the greatest broadcasters in baseball history. His love of the game and his folksy style of announcing will be remembered for many years to come.