The first time I met Ernie Harwell, he was at a forum of sportscasters. I'd asked him about the aftershocks, when he was dropped from the Detroit Tiger sportscasts at 82. "I never imagined he was 82," Al Michaels said afterward. "I had no idea."
I wanted to chat with Harwell for a couple minutes, but he suggested I come to his hotel suite the next morning. The result was fascinating; with hints of his Georgia accent still there after all these decades in the North, he told stories and related a life well-spent. He was intelligent, observant, interesting.
The second time I met him, he was doing promotions for the conversion to digital TV. He was doing this for the old folks; he was 90 at the time.
Ernie Harwell died today at 92, after facing a cancer he had told the public about. People immediately said he was one of the greats, as a talent and as a man. People always say that when someone died. This time, they were telling the truth.
Now a few brief "American Idol" comments; please add yours:
1) Harry Connick Jr. gets the work-ethic award. He mentored the five contestants, did all their arrangements, then played the piano and organ onstage. On Wednesday, he'll sing; so will Lady Gaga. Maybe he'll also do a Ford commercial and re-arrange Casey James' hair.
2) And Ellen gets the award for finding the humor when everyone else was dead-serious. My favorite was: "I thought the piano was a little pitchy." My second favorite was when she admitted obsessing on Harry's organ.
3) We knew everyone was ready to go big. Of the five people, there were three neckties (one with a fedora) and a slinky evening gown.
4) My own view? Michael Lynche and Aaron Kelly were superb, Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox (who was, incidentally, the one in the gown) were very good.
5) And yes, by simple math that means Casey is going home. Once again, he gave a bland, in-between rendition of a bland song. He'd be an agreeable guy to give an hourlong concert in a modest-size restaurant. He does not, however, have the oomph to win "Idol."