Ernie Harwell Day

FoxDetroit.com- The Michigan Senate unanimously passed a resolution on March 25, declaring April 9 as Ernie Harwell Day. The nine-paragraph resolution states "generations of Michigan residents and Tigers fans have grown up listening to Ernie Harwell and often reminisce about his unique broadcasting style that includes a sweet Southern drawl, the annual visit from the Voice of the Turtle, and familiar phrases such as ... 'looooooong gone.'" Harwell, 92, who has been battling terminal cancer, does not plan to attend the opener, but friends say he was thrilled by the honor.

Congrats Ernie. You're exactly what the game should be about. Here are some facts you may not know about the Voice Of The Tigers:

In 1948, Harwell became the only announcer in baseball history to be traded for a player when the Brooklyn Dodger's general manager, Branch Rickey, traded catcher Cliff Dapper to the Crackers in exchange for breaking Harwell's broadcasting contract.

Harwell broadcast for the Dodgers through 1949, the New York Giants from 1950-1953 (including his call of Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round The World" in the 1951 NL Pennant Playoff game) and the Baltimore oriole's from 1954-1959.

Early in his career, he also broadcast The Masters Golf Tournament.

In January 2009, the American Sportscasters Association ranked Harwell 16th on its list of Top 50 Sportscasters of All Time.

He is known for his low-key delivery, southern accent (Detroit "Ti-guhs"), and conversational style. One of his trademark phrases was "That one is long gone" with an emphasis on the "long." Harwell would also begin the first spring training broadcast each season with a reading from Song Of Solomon 2:11-12: "For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."