A Harwell Memory

Ernie Harwell, the longtime voice of the Detroit Tigers, died Tuesday night at age 92 after a year-long bout with cancer.

My favorite Harwell memory came when he filled in for an ailing Harry Caray on a Cubs broadcast on April 13, 1987. It was a memorable call.

Left-hander, Jamie Moyer, then just 24-years-old, pitched eight no-hit innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. I remember that Moyer struck out Chris James to end the eighth and that Harwell, with his Southern drawl, did not bow to superstition.

"And through eight, Moyer has a no-hitter!" he said. "Stick around!"

Unfortunately, Moyer surrendered a leadoff single to Juan Samuel in the bottom of the ninth, then walked Von Hayes, and finally allowed an RBI single to Mike Schmidt before exiting.

Lee Smith allowed another runner to score, but earned the save in the Cubs' 5-2 victory.

Harwell left Chicago a winner.