He was released from the hospital on August 16, 2009, after a one-week stay for an obstruction in the bile duct. He has canceled all public appearances for the next several weeks. Harwell was back to work answering fan questions in his column for the Detroit Free Press on August 23, 2009.http://www.freep.com/article/20090823/SPORTS02/908230488/1356/SPORTS/Ernie-Harwell-answers-questions-from-fans On September 4, 2009, it was revealed that Harwell has inoperable cancer of the bile duct.

On September 10, 2009 it was announced that MLB Productions studio in Secaucus, New Jersey will be named after Harwell, Mel Allen and Vin Scully.http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090910&content_id=6898972&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

On November 12, 2009 Harwell sat down with Bob Costas to talk about his career. The inverview was for MLB Network.http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091112&content_id=7658310&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

On December 2, 2009, Harwell surprised former Tigers' Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson, when he showed up at an event where Gibson and Trammell were talking about their playing days.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2009-12-02-57023230_x.htm

1. Born: January 25, 1918 in Washington, Georgia
2. Birth name: William Earnest Harwell
3. Favorite expression: "That ball is looooong gone!"
4. Awards: Ford C. Frick Award
5. Teams announced for: Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers
6. Hall of Fame Inductions: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame: 1989, Radio Hall of Fame 1998

"Ernie (Harwell) is probably the most beloved person who has ever been in Detroit with the Detroit Tigers. He is loved by everybody and rightfully so. He's a great broadcaster but even a better person. That comes across on his broadcasts." - Hall of Famer Al Kalinehttp://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/ernie_harwell_quotes.shtml

"You can never give the score too many times. He never put himself above the game. For a lot of guys now, it's become a show business-type thing. Ernie always kept the focus on baseball." - Detroit Tigers television broadcaster Mario Impembahttp://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/ernie_harwell_quotes.shtml

"We need to understand today and each day left in the 2002 season that we are truly privileged to see through his eyes and hear his calm and reassuring voice. His effortless brilliance masks countless hours of preparation. Let us understand, appreciate and be joyous for our time with him." - Tigers President John McHalehttp://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/ernie_harwell_quotes.shtml