Ken Levine

Last winter, rumors began circulating in broadcasting circles that Ernie Harwell would soon be dismissed by the Detroit Tigers and their flagship radio station, WJR."WBAL hadn't hired anybody yet for the Orioles," said Orioles broadcaster Jon Miller, "and it was my suggestion that we call up Ernie and hire him."The rumor proved premature -- Harwell was given one more year -- and Ken Levine received the Oriole job.But now Harwell, enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1981, is on his farewell tour with the Tigers, the victim of a corporate decision that mandated change.

When he was a kid, Fred Manfra wanted to be Gus Triandos. Then he decided he'd like to be Chuck Thompson.WBAL Radio granted Manfra's second childhood wish yesterday.Manfra, a native Baltimorean and 12-year ABC Radio sportscaster, has been named an Orioles announcer by WBAL. Manfra replaces Joe Angel, who left to become voice of the Florida Marlins."I grew up listening to Chuck Thompson," Manfra, 46, said yesterday. "He was the guy who really was the basis of my career. Listening to him really planted the seeds of broadcasting in me."

Two weeks and counting, more or less, to the departure of Johnny Carson from NBC's "Tonight Show." Tonight, the late-night monarch gets an affectionate salute from another of the network's top shows, "Cheers" (at 9 o'clock, Channel 2).In an episode in which Carson and bandleader Doc Severinsen both appear, we also see subtle hints that all is not harmonious in the transition process. (Carson's final show is scheduled for May 22, with designated replacement Jay Leno and company taking over the following week.

The TV Repairman: The golf stop on CBS this weekend, the International, isn't your usual medal-play tournament, remember. Competitors get points for heroics (two for a birdie, five for an eagle), penalties for stumbles (minus one for a bogey, minus three for a double) with the top 72 qualifying after the first two rounds. The field for Sunday will be down to 24 golfers, starting from scratch. It's not as bad as it sounds, honest.* Terry Norris (28-3) and Brett Lally (29-5) will be the guys duking it out on HBO tomorrow (10 p.m.)

Vince Bagli, the dean of local sports broadcasters, hopes Baltimoreans appreciate how lucky they have been with Orioles play-by-play announcers over the years."

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Ben McDonald played soft toss yesterday without discomfort, but there is a strong possibility the righthander will need a rehabilitation assignment before makinghis first start for the Orioles."

The TV repairman:If you're stuck for a Father's Day gift and the old gent is a baseball nut, you couldn't do better than "Baseball's Greatest Moments," a $20 tape available at Blockbuster Video.A true fan can probably tick off 15 of the 20 moments covered, but they're done so expertly and with rare film footage, they're a joy to watch over and over: Babe, King Carl, Gehrig says goodbye, Mickey, Joe D., Mays, Larsen, Aaron, Maris, Rose, Ryan and Gibby. Oh my!* When I watch the Portland Trail Blazers (Channel 2 willing)

Housing sales in the Baltimore area skidded more than 22 percent last month from June 2005 levels, the biggest drop in more than seven years, and prices flattened as the real estate slowdown extended into the prime summer season. On average, homes in the region commanded just 3.41 percent more than they did a year earlier - the first time price appreciation fell into the single digits since March 2004. Even Baltimore City, which until June had been the only jurisdiction this year to have posted double-digit price gains, felt the impact.

Free advice for the Orioles' next radio announcer, whoever the lucky soul might be:DO carry your resume at all times.A certain former baseball writer already had covered the Orioles a full season when he was asked to "state your qualifications" at a public forum.The writer has since taken speech lessons to correct his New York accent, signed a sworn affidavit extolling the virtues of TC Maryland crabs and memorized every Orioles Opening Day lineup from 1954 to the present.He even married a Baltimore native.

The TV repairman:No word from Jon Miller yet on whether Ken Levine is going to be back doing Orioles games on WBAL Radio next season. It is suggested Levine fans warm up their typewriters and dialing fingers.* The bi-weekly meeting of Notre Dame Bashers Anonymous will be called to order tomorrow when the Irish entertain Michigan State at 1:30 p.m. on N(D)BC . . . The ABC doubleheader has Florida-Syracuse at 3:30, Brigham Young and Penn State at 8 . . . Cable and syndication fill in with eight other contests.