That was not the case with Ernie Harwell, the Hall of Fame announcer who died on Tuesday.
I spoke with Ernie occasionally, but never got to know him well. Everyone I know who knew him well, though, revered the man.
And, selfishly, we have lost another great announcer, a great announcer who knew and conveyed the nuances of the game in a voice more descriptive than excitable.
After the game, Tigers manager Jim Leyland spoke at length about Ernie. Here's that conversation, courtesy of Detroit Free Press writer John Lowe:
"This is one where you rejoice. I hope nobody takes me out of context here. The passing of Ernie is really a celebration of his life. It's not a tragic thing. A wonderful life, and I think we should celebrate that rather than mourn so much.
"We knew it was coming. He had a very fulfilling life."
Leyland's voice began to waver.
"He was the constant cleanup hitter for the Tigers, the constant leadoff man, the ever-ready defensive player, the ever-ready pinch runner. Most announcers aren't like that. This guy was the Tigers. He was the constant cleanup guy, he was the constant leadoff guy, he was the closer. He was truly a huge part (of the team) . . . Very few announcers are looked upon like a player. Ernie was looked upon like a player."
Leyland regained his voice and said:
"We should be rejoicing that he's not going to suffer. Let's celebrate. I think that's the way Ernie would want it."
"Ernie Harwell treated me like I was a major-league Tiger, and I was never a big-league Tiger. I was over there 18 years (in the Tigers farm system as a player, coach and manager), and he treated me like a big leaguer.
"We'll miss him. . . but this should be a celebration in my opinion.
"I want to clap. I don't want to cry."
Leyland said Ernie came in his office after he got the terminal diagnosis.
"I hope we can all be at peace with ourselves as much as Ernie was. That's pretty good. I hope I can be like that."
Leyland loved how Ernie said, "I'll be going on to the next adventure."
"That was great," Leyland said.
Leyland continued: "I don't want to look like I'm not respectful, but I look at it like a celebration. I really do. He had a full life; he did so many things; he was so respected. He had a chance to say his good-byes. That's a blessing. And we all had a chance to say our good-byes.
"Not that many people in our game are that influential. This guy was one of the most influential guys around the Detroit area. That's pretty good.
"When you met him, he was one of those guys that you felt like you knew him all your life, and you felt like he knew you. Ernie never met a stranger, I don't think.
"In that profession sometimes, there can be friction between players and announcers. I can't recall that there was ever any friction with Ernie Harwell and a player, and that's a remarkable feat."
-Wednesday, I"m working for FSN in the pregame and postgame shows. You can follow me on Twitter at Souhanstrib. -One more note on my band's May 20 appearance at O'Gara's - because this is in conjunction with Steve Rushin's book signing, there will be no cover charge. We want people coming and going as they please. The signing will start at 7 p.m., and the band will start later that hour.
