Ernie

Ernie Tyler was buried on a brisk, chilly day at the start of spring training, which seemed only right. One day after Orioles' pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Florida, Tyler -- a lifelong club employee who worked as umpires' attendant -- was laid to rest following a church service attended by Orioles owner Peter Angelos and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. Tyler, 86, died Feb. 10 of complications from a brain tumor. Otherwise, he'd have been preparing to work Opening Day for the 51st straight season.

News item: Longtime Orioles umpires attendant Ernie Tyler, who worked for the team for more than a half century and ended his own O's iron-man streak at 3,769 games to attend Cal Ripken Jr. 's Hall of Fame induction, has died at the age of 86. My take: It's hard to express what Ernie meant to the organization and everyone who worked regularly at Memorial Stadium or Camden Yards. He was a truly fine gentleman who was as kind and good-hearted as anyone I have ever met — and not just in the baseball business.

ATLANTA — Ernie Els didn't have to wait long to take his place in the Hall of Fame. The South African headlines the newest induction class announced Wednesday — not only elected in his first year on the ballot but the youngest to enter under the current voting procedure. "It's nice to get in quickly," said Els, whose 57 victories as a professional include two U.S. Opens, the 2002 British Open and this year's Arnold Palmer Invitational and World Golf Championships event.

Even into his 90s after four decades on the job, Ernest C. "Ernie" Kiehne looked forward to his workday at Baltimore-based money manager Legg Mason Inc. Even after his eyesight began to fade, Kiehne made it into the office. A driver hired by famed investor Bill Miller picked him up at home and dropped him off at the company's Harbor East headquarters each morning, four days a week. On Monday, his driver didn't come. His office sat empty. "The world is different when he's not there," said Miller, who describes Kiehne as a mentor.

Ernestine R. "Ernie" Uncles, who as social services liaison for the mayor's office worked tirelessly for more than 40 years helping to improve the lives of the forgotten, homeless and impoverished, died Saturday of cancer at her Bolton Hill home. She was 69. "She was a legend in Baltimore. When anyone had been evicted, had no food, was in poverty or had some other emergency, you called Ernestine," Tom Saunders, who retired from the Baltimore Community Relations Commission, said Thursday.

Longtime Orioles "ballboy" and umpire attendant Ernie Tyler has made his decision. He will leave the field permanently at the request of his family. Don't misunderstand. Tyler, who has been a fixture near the Orioles dugout for the past 50 years, is not retiring. He will continue to manage the umpires' room and prepare the balls for each game. Tyler's status had been a source of disagreement with his children -- particularly Orioles clubhouse managers Jim and Fred Tyler -- who persuaded him to stay off the field last year after he underwent hernia surgery.

On March 18, 2008, DOROTHY EMMA (nee Harris); beloved wife of the late Ernie Saxberg; loving mother of Dolores Parker, James Lee, Herbert Lee, Ernie Saxberg and the late John R. Lee; cherished grandmother of 15 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; dear sister of, Ruth Miller, Marie Triabassi and the late Ethel Keifer. A funeral service will be held at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home, of Dundalk Inc., 7922 Wise Ave. Saturday, 10 A.M. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery.

On January 27, 2008, EDRA devoted partner of Elizabeth Phillips. She leaves to mourn one sister, Leilah Duncan; three brothers, and a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 P.M., on Thursday. Services 7 P.M. Interment private. Arrangements by Chavis Funeral Home, 2007 Eastern Avenue.

In the coming-of-age story of Eli Manning, the New York Giants quarterback who has led his team to the Super Bowl, there is a great measure of vindication for a football guy with strong ties to Baltimore and someone a lot of us in the sportswriting business have always rooted for. Ernie Accorsi, the former general manager of the Giants, who spent more than a decade with the Baltimore Colts, was the man who engineered the draft-day trade in 2004 that...

Good morning--Ernie Tyler--Enjoy your well-deserved trip to Cooperstown.