Harwell event will honor Voice of the Tigers

Legendary Atlanta Crackers and Detroit Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell (left above, shown with broadcasting associate Paul Carey) will be honored in his hometown of Washington in conjunction with his 2008 induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

When his hometown of Washington honors Ernie Harwell tomorrow, February 15, attendees will be treated to an afternoon of baseball fun and excitement based on Harwell's lifetime of achievement. Beginning with a book signing and autograph session, the event will also feature an auction of baseball and sports memorabilia, celebrity comments, and a response by Harwell himself.

University of Georgia sports personality/ broadcaster/author Loran Smith will emcee the event adding to the celebrity. Smith has been the spearhead of the planning committee and is responsible for the organization of the event since its inception. He brings with him many friends and connections that promise to add to the prestige of the event.

Atlanta Braves announcer Pete Van Wieren will speak and attendees will be treated to a menu of hotdogs, popcorn, and peanuts in keeping with the baseball theme.

Proceeds from the event will be used to endow at least one scholarship for a local broadcast journalism major and to establish the annual "Ernie Harwell MVP Award" for a Washington-Wilkes Tiger baseball player.

Funds raised for "Ernie Harwell Day in Washington" will provide ongoing scholarships for students pursuing careers in his chosen profession, broadcast journalism.

The auction will feature primarily baseball items including autographed baseballs (one by Chipper Jones), photographs, an authentic Detroit Tigers jersey autographed by Curtis Granderson, hats, and other memorabilia donated by the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers. An authentic Matthew Stafford game jersey and a hat autographed by Head Coach Mark Richt will also be featured as well as a copy of Smith's UGA Football Vault autographed by Mark Richt, Vince Dooley, and personalized for the buyer by Smith at the event. Smith will also procure personalized autographed photos from Bobby Cox, Jeff Francoeur, Tommy Lasorda, Skip Carey, Makay McBride, Mark Richt, and others for successful bidders. (Granderson is only the third player in MLB history to hit 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs, and steal 20 bases in a single season.)

Sales of tables to corporate sponsors are mostly complete and will conclude today. Various levels of participation are available with incentives including autographed books and special photographs. Anyone interested in purchasing a "table" is encouraged to call Ashley Barnett at 706-678- 2013, Jim Roberts at 706-678-2448, or Sparky Newsome at 706-678- 2636. Single tickets are available for $35 each ($40.00 at the door), couples are $60.00 ($70.00). Checks should be made out to Washington-Wilkes Charities, Inc. and may be mailed to P.O. Box 340, Washington, GA 30673.

Harwell was born in Washington in 1918 and began his sports announcing career with the Atlanta Crackers in 1943. He is the only announcer in baseball history to be traded for a player when he was hired by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. He is most famous for having been the "voice" of the Detroit Tigers for almost 42 years, beginning in 1960 and ending with his retirement in 2002. It was during that tenure that he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Washington event to honor Harwell will be held beginning at noon at The Pope Center on Friday, February 15, the day before his induction into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Atlanta. For more information, visit the website at www.harwelldayinwashington.com.