Hawk Harrelson: Total Homer, a Little Crazy, and the Best White Sox Announcer Ever
I don’t remember exactly when I really got into the Chicago White Sox. But here are a few things I do remember:
- I liked them peripherally for a while in the early 90s and then my White Sox fandom began in earnest while I was in high school, and I’m pretty sure KVB and I got into the White Sox at around the same time (although he may have been a fan first…you’ll have to ask him).
- My favorite players from those early years were Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, Black Jack, Ray Durham, Mike Cameron, James Baldwin, and Roberto Hernandez.
- From the first moment I heard Hawk Harrelson call a game, I was hooked.
(For the record, what I do remember from my early baseball years is that I hated the Cubs long before I ever loved the White Sox, simply because so many of my Indiana friends loved the Cubs and I could never understand it. They received so much adulation yet never seemed to win anything. I wasn’t about to
offer any more undeserved adoration.)
I realize that Hawk takes a lot of grief for being an unabashed homer, for sometimes telling long and sprawling stories about guys like Ted Williams and George Brett, for firing Tony LaRussa during the Hawk’s ill-fated tenure as White Sox GM, and for sometimes talking about things that make you wonder if he’s doing okay. Plus, we all know that he likes to make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. (Well, not really the question mark…more like batting gloves. And that actually doesn’t seem to be such an outrageous claim after all.)
But…and it’s a big BUT…for the life of me I cannot understand how any White Sox fan does not enjoy listening to a Hawk-called game over a road announcer or one of the national schmoes they trot out on ESPN or Fox.
I started thinking about this today when I went searching online for a list of Hawkisms that KVB needed for a gift he’s making a friend of his and a friend of the South Siders. I unwittingly stumbled upon the unfortunately named website HeaveTheHawk.com. As you might expect, the creators of this website are not big fans of Hawk for the reasons mentioned above and many more.
Now, I don’t know much about this site nor do I have the time or inclination to go digging. (And for all you haters out there, I am blatantly violating journalistic ethics and integrity by not reaching to them for a comment before publishing this. If you’ve got something to say about, email me.) It appears as if they are White Sox fans, but I suppose it’s possible that it’s a bunch of Cubs fans looking to poke fun at the TV face of White Sox baseball. I have no idea.
All I know is that I disagree wholeheartedly with their “Manifesto“. I do know that one of their gripes is that Hawk Harrelson never played for the White Sox, as evidenced by this excerpt from their page “10 Reasons Why the Hawk Must Go”:
3. Hillbilly. The fair city of Chicago is the third largest media market in the country. So why must we listen to a South Carolinian carnival barker with NO White Sox connection? But wait, he was GM, you say? Yes, read on.
I have never lived in Chicago, so perhaps there is more of this sentiment floating around than I realize. But I consider myself about as die-hard a Sox fan as they come (though, admittedly, not as die hard as these guys or these guys) and I’ve certainly never once thought of Hawk as a “South Carolinian carnival barker.” Plus, what exactly does Hawk need to do to develop a “White Sox connection”? The guy’s been with the White Sox for as long as I’ve been following them. Sure, he didn’t play on the South Side, but doesn’t he have more of a White Sox connection than, say, Mike Cameron, who was only with the White Sox for a couple of seasons? How exactly do we define “having a connection”?
Anyway, I don’t want to make this a long and drawn-out post, and the truth is that I can’t because two of my best friends from Indiana are flying into town tonight (they’re in the air as I type this) so I have to actually put the blog toy away for a little while. But seeing that ugly website earlier today made me feel compelled to throw some support behind my man Hawk. White Sox games just aren’t as fun when Hawk isn’t announcing, telling balls to “stretch”, imploring the scorekeeper to “put it on the board”, and giving opposing batters their proper “he gone” send off after a strikeout.
Yeah, Hawk’s a huge homer. Probably the biggest one in all of baseball. So I can understand why a non-White Sox fan might abhor him. But for Sox fans to not like him? That I do not understand, and I’d like to get some feedback. If you’re a White Sox fan, what do you think of Hawk? Surely you love the guy, right? I can’t be this wrong about our fan base, can I? (And if you’re not a White Sox fan…be gone! I’m sure you don’t like him, so you can spare me the trite Hawk criticisms that I’ve already discussed.)
But before you head down to the comment section, sit back, relax, and strap it down as I offer you one of the only redeeming aspects of HeaveTheHawk.com. It’s a sublime song that lists out pretty much all of Hawk’s most famous Hawkisms. I’m assuming it’s meant to be a sarcastic dig at Hawk, and it’s certainly not all that great musically, but it’s still awesome. So click here and check it out.
And then send the creators of HeaveTheHawk.com some hate email. Because, as well know, Hawk looooves email, and I’m sure he’d love knowing that White Sox fans have his back. Say what you will about him, but he has a more tenured association with the White Sox now than anyone but Jerry Reinsdorf. And as far as I’m concerned, I hope he never gets “heaved”, because White Sox games just wouldn’t be as much fun without him.
I agree with the guys at HeaveTheHawk.com that listening to Ed Farmer on the radio is great. But nobody compares to Hawk Harrelson. And unlike the guys at HeaveTheHawk.com, I say that in the most positive context possible.
Hawk…you rule.
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Tags: Chicago White Sox, hawk harrelson
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I may a bit older than you, but hands down, Harry and Jimmy were the absolute best followed by Harry and Bob Waller followed by Hawk and Wimpy.
I love Hawk too, but Harry kicked his ass. Remember, Sox fans were fortunate to have the pre-stroke, perpetually drunk Harry.
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JRod Reply:
June 19th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
@Chip Ramsey, that is true. I wasn’t around for the Harry Caray days so I can’t really compare. I always liked and respected Harry when he was with the Cubs…but, of course, it was with the Cubs. And I didn’t realize until much, much later that Harry had actually started on the South Side. I suppose I might think differently if I’d been around then; it’s just hard to imagine enjoying someone more than Hawk.
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I’m a giant Sox fan, from Chicago, and I love Hawk. I get amped up watching the games b/c he is such a homer, and that’s what we love about him.
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Actually, and i assume you know this, Harry was with the Cardinals until he was released after the 1969 season. Then a year in Oakland and then for 11 years with the Sox.
I have several great memories of Harry doing Sox games.
BTW, if you want to expand the field to radio, one vote for my buddy John Rooney. How I miss him.
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Mark Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:00 am
@Chip Ramsey,
Harry was let go from the Cards because he was screwing around with the wife of the owner. Harry and Jimmy were the best on the Southside. I do love Hawk because he is a homer. That is what I expect the hometown announcers to be…just like me.
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Chip Ramsey Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Harry had a great line about getting fired from the Cardinals. “I was there 25 years. I thought I was going to get a gold watch and they gave me a pink slip!”
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I couldn’t agree more with Chip. Harry and Jimmy were the best. I still remember listening to Disco Demolition. That old AM radio I was given got worn out. I am not a fan of the Hawk and subscribe to XM so that I can listen to the games. I like the way Ed Farmer calls the games. Last year it was even better with Steve “Stone Pony” Stone in there.
Nothing beats a slight sauced Harry calling a Chet Lemon home run. It was almost like listening to James Brown. The fireworks told you what was just said by Harry was that someone hit a home run. I had to wait a few minutes so Jimmy could get a word in to figure out who hit it.
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Hawk and Stone although they are still finding who they are as a team, are the best and most interesting announcers in baseball.
Hawk is not the biggest homer in baseball. Whoever states this has never listened to Santo, Brenley and the other clown who announce the Cubs games. If I hear the term “Big Z” in relation to Zambrano, one morw time, I am going to vomit.
This is the same pitcher who year after year is touted by the experts to be a candidate to win the Cy Young award. Hmmmmmmm….last time I checked he has had more success attacking umpires, water coolers, and former catchers, than attacking opposing hitters.
Hawk’s stories do get repetitve, but listening to Him and Stone discuss baseball, is very refreshing.
Harry and Jimmy came at a time when the Sox needed a carnival atmosphere to entertain the fans, since most of th teams were not very good. Believe me, I was there for most of the games and watched the others on television.
So everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I do respect vaying opnions, but it could be worse. We could be stuck with ole…..Chipper Caray….whose claim to fame is genetics, and couldn’t announce a game to save his soul. Or Joe Buck…the same blowhard who announced the 2005 world series and was so anti Sox it was pathetic
I am really tired of listening to 2nd and 3rd generation anouncers whose claim to fame was their father or grandfather. Give me Hawk, Hell yes, put it o the board, stretch, and it’s overrrrrrrrrr, any day of the week.
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JRod Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 10:31 am
@Rick, Amen! I cannot stand either Chip Caray or Joe Buck. There is no joy, no excitement in listening to them call a game. And believe me, when I call Hawk a homer I say it with the utmost appreciation. I love listening to the local guys call games. Most of the national announcers suck the life right out of the game.
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Rick Reply:
July 13th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
@JRod,
I agree…I don’t think Chip or Buck ever have thrown a baseball in their life
They not only suck the life out of the game…..but their lack of knowledge is very apparent….
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1)Harry and Bob Waller
2)Harry and Jimmy
No one even close
Hawk battles Jack Drees for the worst of all time
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Chip Ramsey Reply:
August 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am
@lightning36, Harry and Bob Waller were AWESOME! One time in KC, Harry kept promising Bob that he would take him out after the game for ribs. The Sox were up 5-0 going into the bottom of the eighth, but the Sox pitching and defense had a melt down and gave up eight runs. Going into the break, they didn’t cut Harry’s microphone right away. He said we’ll be back with the score, Kansas City 8, White Sox 5. (SLAM) You can forget about those God damned ribs!
There was also the Rod Carew bit.”Bob, can you imagine it? The old west, a crowded saloon, then suddenly the shutters burst open and a man in a big black hat says ‘MY NAME IS ROD CAREW!’.”
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im a dodger fan from california…but i too agree with heavethehawk.com..this fool is the biggest homer ive ever heard…i get wgn sports thru directv.com so i see a lot of cubs and sox games…im a huge baseball fan for life…if chicago wants a taste of broadcasting delight they should take a listen to “vinny”..or vin scully…now that man is the true definition of a classy broadcaster..he calls the game like he sees it, never ever does he refer to the dodgers as “we” or “the good guys”..thats the biggest pieve i have with hawk…he says “we” when he talk about the team..first off this guy never played for the sox EVER!..and second…im pretty sure hes not the one out there on the mound throwing 100mph fastballs and diving after line drives and ripping hr’s over the wall so why is it WE? “You dont do shit HAWK”! accept make a disaster of every game you broadcast…i hate this man and hope he gets shipped off the (BFE) with his bird nose……pecker!!!!!!put that on the board!!!!!lol
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KVB Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 10:47 am
@russ,
Russ you are a clown, probably have an email address like Dodgerfan17 or LARussDodge@KirkGibsonlimp.com (only acceptable if you are 15 years or younger), and you should be able to appreciate a homer announcer if you are in fact a die hard fan. Vin Scully is one the greatest of all-time and I love hearing his voice. But why do all announcers have to be exactly like him to be good for the game? I guess you either love hawk or hate hawk and it is obvious you hate. But why do you want him off the air when you arent even a Sox fan? My suggestion is stop watching Sox games.
Lets put it into perspective as a fan. Beurhle has a perfecto through 8 innings before the break as a fan you want to hear what:
A) “Mark Buerhle has a perfect game through eight. We’ll be back.”
Boring. Doesn’t get you excited for the final 6 outs. Info given is just stating the obvious: perfect game, commercial break.
B) “Call your sons, call your daughters! Call your friends, call your neighbors! Mark Buerhle has a perfect game going to the ninth!”
C) Vin Scully announce the last out of a any big game victory.
Answers:
A is probably Joe Buck. 2005 monotone call, “And the White Sox have won the world series.” Thanks Joe I didn’t realize that while watching the dugout clear and mob bobby jenks in the infield. Also Joe, Don’t raise your voice you might wake the kids since the World Series starts at 9:30 eastern and ends after midnight.
B is Hawk and the more exciting one for the circumstance. Even if that is not his job, do you sit in silence during exciting moments and judge the announcers ability to emulate Vin Scully? Do you sit in silence, close your eyes, and let Vinny give you the only sensory sensation in a big moment? I hope not. I usually have to hear the call after the game because I am cheering at the top of my lungs with friends and family. Do you cringe every time WGN plays that country song about the Cubs winning “Go Cubs Go”? I do and I will take Hawk any day of the week over that with his YES! calls and THIS BALL GAME IS OVAAA! calls.
C is okay to say correct since you are a Dodgers fan. Geez homers are so annoying aren’t they? Sorry but thats your right as a fan and Hawk’s right as the announcer. He is the announcer and always will be. There aren’t many White Sox fans under the age 50 that don’t like Hawk. That is the future of the fans so expect Hawk to die in the broadcast booth. Then come back to the message boards and slam him after his death and we can debate classiness in baseball again.
If you actually listen to Hawk and Steve Stone discuss the game of baseball, you hear real baseball experience/stories, huge respect for the other teams they are playing, and great historical perspective from a guy who invented the batting glove and a guy who won a Cy Young.
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I agreed with everything you said until you got to Farmer. Farmer and DJ both have the obscenely annoying habit of constant Yoda-speak that just drives me up a wall, and now that the two of them are on the radio together, I can hardly listen to games anymore. Surely you’ve heard… “Swung on that pitch, AJ did,” “crushed that ball, did Dye,” etc. Not to mention that they won’t stop having guests on. You would hardly have known Buehrle was even throwing a good game through the first 6 innings of his perfect game because all they do is talk to random people. (Charlie Weis? This isn’t a football game, who gives a sh*t?) And perhaps the most basic gripe of all, Farmer almost never bothers to tell us the score! That’s the main reason people turn the game on 90% of the time, is just to get a score update, and you’ll be lucky if you listen to less than an inning before you hear one.
Farmer gripes aside however, I’m with you all the way on Hawk. I saw a Hawk-hater use Kay of the Yankees as an example, saying “You’d hardly even know Kay was a Yankees fan.” Considering he’s being paid by the Yankees to broadcast Yankee games for Yankee fans, that seems a d*mn shame to me. I don’t get why it’s “unprofessional” to be partial to a team when you are broadcasting for that team to their fan base. Joe Buck and Lou Pienella shamelessly rooting against the Sox in the playoffs in 05 on Fox? Now that unprofessional.
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KVB Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
@Alex, Funny you say that about Kay since I am in NY right now and had some time to listen (not watch) the finale of the Yanks and Sox on Sunday. I noticed he had just as much excitement in his voice on the Dye and Thome HR calls as the Melky HR just with a few added catch phrases like “The Melk Man!” and “Doin it the melky way!” I was honored to hear the female color commentator because I was giggling since I couldn’t get her ridiculous “oh my gaaad Roga Clemens is in the owna’s box!…” sound bite out of my head that everyone made fun of.
Either way I don’t mind Farmer and I’ve always felt I have to wait until the end of the inning to get the score update no matter who is announcing radio. Jon Miller included, like during the 2005 world series since I was stranded with no power in Miami and just my car radio to listen. Digressing, its always been that way and that won’t change especially in the age of the internet and access on cell phones now.
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KVB Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
@KVB, PS In 2005 the whole city had zero power because of a bad bad hurricane (Wilma i think).
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Does anyone know how to e-mail Hawk and Stone to submit an on-air birthday request? I called the White Sox PR number and they had no idea! I cannot find the e-mail address anywhere . . . help?!!
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JRod Reply:
August 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
@laura sands,
I am not sure. I wish I could help you. Anyone else know?
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Hawk is one of the few great promoters of the game of baseball today. He gives his honest opinion about players, coaches, and owners. Hawk has showmanship that is a trait usually missing from most of todays announcers. He does not try to act flashy or talk about topics he knows nothing about. His love for the game is sincere, as well as his passion. Trying to compare him to a Harry, Steve, or Jack does them all a disservice. We should just sit back and enjoy listening to him and his unique perspective on the game.
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Hawk is the best Sox announcer evah! It’s a sin the networks and MLB won’t let fans listen to their hometown announcers during the playoffs and World Series. The homers earned the right to call those games. Games on FOX and ESPN are torture, especially when they use ex-Cubs as announcers. Why can’t a network announcer get through a White Sox game without mentioned “the Cubbies” or “the north side”? Harry was a useless, slobbering drunk. (The best Harry is a comedian doing Harry. Example: Harry on LSD, “Steve, your face is melting!”) Alex, so happy to hear someone else complain about Ed Farmer. Talk backward, he does. Annoying, it is. Huge ego, Ed has.
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