White Sox Announcer "Hawk" Harrelson Has His Place in Baseball

I am a White Sox fan. I figured that I should get that out of the way before I write any further.

When I watch the games, I mimic announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson word for word when the White Sox belt out home runs. It is so painfully obvious when I do this that my 8-year-old daughter will stop in her tracks as I say “stretch, stretch" and look to see who has hit a home run.

Again she is eight. She could not tell you the difference between Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn, but she is drawn to the television as if her favorite cartoon (SpongeBob SquarePants) is on.

“Hawk” Harrelson can have that effect on you. He is so polarizing that you either hate him for being a homer or you love him because of his passion. What I love about him is that he bleeds the black, silver, white and Sunday red of Chicago White Sox baseball.

I have watched countless hours of baseball in my life and I am often given the plain and stale stoic play-by-play and analysis of the game. Sometimes I question whether or not I am watching golf because the announcers are so subdued.

I need my announcers to feel the game and be passionate as they explain why a Gavin Floyd curveball is not breaking. I need them to be able to pick a side as if they are a fan like we are.

If you love your baseball team, why not show it!

“Hawk” Harrelson showed it last Wednesday when he went on his tirade about what he considered to be poor umpiring by Mark Wegner. This was after White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana was ejected for throwing behind Ben Zorbist.

Was “Hawk” wrong for going off? Sure he was, but what is lost in all of this is the fact that he is a fan like us. One who has played the game, been a general manager, and announced games. He is the epitome of all sports fans who wear their emotions on their sleeve.

We need announcers like “Hawk” Harrelson. My daughter cannot look away when she hears him speak because she can hear his excitement and passion for the White Sox. She can also hear his pain, and she is intrigued by what is happening out on the field.

The more I watch her listen to the musings of ”Hawk” Harrelson, the more I am reminded of what made me a sports fan in the first place. Watching my uncles agonize on the blown plays and celebrating the great ones is why I am here.

A “Hawk” Harrelson lives inside of everyone.