Tigers to pay tribute to Harwell
Longtime broadcaster to address team, watch game in owner's box
The Detroit Tigers will put aside their pursuit of a division title and playoff berth for brief moment Wednesday to honour Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell.
A video tribute to the 91-year-old Harwell, who broadcasted Tigers games from 1960 to 2002, will be shown during a game against Kansas City.
Harwell is expected to address the team before the game and watch it from team owner Mike Ilitch's suite.
The retired broadcaster recently announced he has inoperable cancer. He began feeling ill this summer and had surgery last month for an obstructed bile duct.
Doctors found a cancerous tumour and advised him against further surgery.
Harwell was born Jan. 25, 1918, in Washington, Ga., and began his broadcasting career in 1940 as a sports commentator for WSB radio in Atlanta. He later broadcast for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Harwell was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
The Tigers entered Tuesday's action atop the American League Central Division standings with a 77-66 record, 5 1/2 games ahead of second-place Minnesota.
The Detroit Lions also will honour Harwell on Sunday during their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings.