If you go by the actuarial tables, Ernie Harwell -- a 91 year-old man who was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer months ago and decided to forego treatment -- probably shouldn’t be able to make public appearances anymore. Heck, the fact that he’s still living is a blessing. But he is living and he is making public appearances, surprising Kirk Gibson and Alan Trammell at a benefit last night:
A couple hundred fans had paid for an evening with the Tiger greats and expected tales of the old days, with the proceeds benefiting the War Memorial Patriots Scholarship Fund for veterans.
Then they began telling stories about Ernie Harwell. Before long, he also stood at the top of the auditorium steps, microphone in hand.
“Greetings everybody and welcome to Tiger baseball,” Harwell said.The crowd roared. Then stood. And clapped as he took a seat between [Trammel and Gibson].