Harwell stricken by cancer

Ernie Harwell, the 91-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers, said Friday that he has inoperable cancer.

Harwell said he has a tumor near a bile duct. He says he knows he may go through some painful days but is in good spirits and appreciates the good wishes he has received from hundreds of fans.

Harwell spent 42 of his 55 years as a broadcaster calling Tigers games, from 1960 to 2002. He said he has been “flattered” to hear so many people tell him about the role his voice played in their lives.

“It’s a great honor to be part of the family like that,” Harwell said. “It was fun. You love these things. You can’t take them too seriously. . . . So-called fame is fleeting.”

Harwell was born Jan. 25, 1918, in Washington, Ga., and began his broadcasting career in 1940 as a sports commentator for WSB radio in Atlanta. He later broadcast for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was replaced by Vin Scully.

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Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore will sit out the rest of the season because of soreness in his left elbow that will require arthroscopic surgery. . . . Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano is out indefinitely because of a sore left knee. Cubs Manager Lou Piniella said at some point the club will “revisit” the situation, but he’s not sure when. . . . New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is suffering from a sore left groin and has not pitched since Tuesday, will throw in the bullpen today and could be ready to return to the mound Sunday, Manager Joe Girardi said. . . . New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana returned to Citi Field three days after undergoing season-ending surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow and said he felt better and was confident he would be ready for spring training next year.