Each year when the Grapefruit League action begins, “the voice of the turtle is heard in our land”. Legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell would utter these famous words each year, and for true baseball fans, there is no sweeter sound:
“Lo, the Winter’s passed, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the Earth, the time for the singing of birds has come. And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.”
Hearing this poem means one thing: Detroit Tigers baseball is upon us. Let the rejoicing begin! The summer breeze, the smell of beer and cracker jacks, the sound of the crack of ball against bat – While it may only be springtime in the D, and the snow may still be melting in the streets, every fan knows that the time for the singing of birds has come, and the boys of summer are back in town.
Listen as Ernie repeats the beloved poem:
BONUS CONTENT
WATCH: “A Little Definition of Baseball” by Ernie Harwell – Including Text of the poem
https://detroitsportsnation.com/videos/ajreilly/watch-baseball-ernie-harwell/04-2017/92217/
WATCH:
Everyone loved Ernie, but the love he had for the fans of Detroit was equally as strong. We take a look back at his farewell speech from September 16th, 2009.
https://detroitsportsnation.com/videos/ddrysdale/flashback-ernie-harwell-gives-farewell-speech-comerica-park/01-2017/89834/89834/
