Westmont Magazine Hall of Famer Pitches in for Baseball Team

Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ernie Harwell spoke at a book signing and reception at Page Hall in January, raising $5,000 for Westmont baseball. The event also featured former Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Ross Porter and screenwriter, director and producer Ron Shelton ’67.

Harwell retired in 2002 after 55 years as a major league broadcaster, including 42 with the Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. Porter broadcasted for the Dodgers for 28 years. His daughter, Rosalyn, graduated from Westmont in 1987.

Shelton played five seasons of minor league baseball after graduating from Westmont and later wrote and directed the 1988 baseball movie, “Bull Durham.” He also wrote and directed “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Cobb” and “Tin Cup.” Harwell had a cameo appearance in “Cobb.”

Harwell was the only broadcaster in baseball history traded for a player. He also announced the play-by-play of Bobby Thomson’s “shot heard round the world” in 1951. He’s been inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the Radio Hall of Fame.

Harwell closed his presentation by reciting his famous poem, “The Game for All America,” a beloved expression of passion for the game and a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame.