Ken 'Hawk' Harrelson to Retire as White Sox Broadcaster After 2018 Season

The Chicago White Sox announced Wednesday announcer Ken "Hawk" Harrelson will return for the 2018 season, which will be his last in the booth. 

According to the Chicago Tribune's Colleen Kane, Harrelson will work 20 games in 2018.

The Chicago Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwen reported in March that Harrelson had planned to try to remain in the booth until 2020.

The 75-year-old began working a reduced schedule in 2016, scaling back his work on home broadcasts in part to spend more time with his family. When he wraps up the 2018 season, he'll have completed his 34th year with the White Sox.

Harrelson has been a divisive figure among baseball fans. White Sox followers likely enjoy his passion for the team, and his signature home run call, "You can put it on the board, yes" is identifiable to those outside the Windy City:

The White Sox immortalized Harrelson with an alarm clock that plays some of his oft-used phrases:

However, critics will argue Harrelson's homerism can detract from the White Sox' television broadcasts. At times, he can't hide his disappointment in a White Sox loss, going completely silent for stretches at the end of a game.

Jason Benetti will likely be Harrelson's full-time replacement following his retirement. Benetti began working as a play-by-play announcer for the White Sox in 2016.

The team announced Wednesday he had finalized a multiyear contract "as the primary play-by-play voice with an expanded role in the booth."