People & Personalities: Ernie Harwell Has Incurable Cancer

Baseball HOFer and longtime Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell Thursday said that he has been diagnosed with "incurable bile duct cancer" and "won't undergo surgery." Harwell, 91, said, "We don't know how long this lasts. It could be a year. It could be much less than a year, much less than a half year. Who knows? Whatever is in store, I'm ready for a new adventure" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/4).

Lee Corso (c) Returning To ESPN Saturday Less Than Four Months After Suffering Stroke

WELCOME BACK: ESPN's Lee Corso Saturday will join Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler on the set of "College GameDay" from the Georgia Dome, "less than four months" after suffering a stroke on May 16. Corso said that he "still cannot write much but is reading again." He said that his "voice strength and enunciation are not completely back to what they were and 'conversation is tough.'" Corso: "I have to think so hard before I talk." But he added, "I feel really good" (MIAMI HERALD, 9/4).

BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BOTH OF US: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes ESPN2's U.S. Open broadcast team of John and Patrick McEnroe is "not yet a magical pairing." The brothers are "offering an easygoing, informed camaraderie that is fused by a long fraternal relationship and different tennis perspectives." Patrick "remains analytical but defers to John, a superstar analyst" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/4).

BACK IN ACTION? Former NFLer Tedy Bruschi's agent Brad Blank said ESPN Monday contacted Bruschi to "gauge his interest ... not more than five minutes" after his press conference announcing his retirement." Blank: "It's fair to say he's made his share of good impressions." He added that Bruschi is "giving it serious consideration." Blank: "We haven't really gotten into specifics with anyone. ... Without even lifting the phone, Tedy had received three radio and three television opportunities" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/4).