Chicago White Sox: Hawk Harrelson will retire after 2018 season

The Chicago White Sox and Ken Harrelson go together like peanut butter and jelly. But after many seasons as the play-by-play man on the South Side, Hawk Harrelson has announced he will retire following the 2018 season.

Perhaps one of the most outspoken announcers in all of sports, Chicago White Sox play-by-play man Ken “Hawk” Harrelson will be stepping away from the microphone after the 2018 season. He will mostly call Sunday home games along with some other games during the season.

Harrelson has been announcing for the White Sox since 1990, although he started his announcing career in 1982 with the White Sox. He would leave announcing in 1985 to become the White Sox general manager in which he fired manager Tony LaRussa. Harrelson would only last one season as general manager for the White Sox and would eventually come back to Chicago in 1990 where he has been ever since.

For me, there is nothing better than listening to Hawk announce games. You either love the guy or can’t stand him, and I for one am a huge fan of him. Growing up, Hawk Harrelson was White Sox baseball. With his many catchphrases and his straight-forward attitude, what wasn’t to love?

Hawk wears his emotions on his sleeve and if he doesn’t like something he will let it be known. He’s not scared to bring up controversial things, like saying he hopes the Cubs never win a World Series, which we all know finally happened for them. Hawk, loves his Sox and to him, they are the only team that matters.

The Chicago White Sox losing isn’t something that Hawk takes lightly and nobody was more excited for this rebuild than Hawk. But with age catching up to him and living hours away from the stadium, it is finally time for him to step away from the game and team he loves.

Now I realize bashing on other teams and witty catch phrases don’t make you a good announcer, but that’s not why I love Hawk. In my opinion, he just brings something special every time he goes on air. It will definitely be different tuning into a White Sox game but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

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Change can certainly be good. Hawk will be missed but he will forever be a part of the White Sox organization. Plus, when the Sox bring a championship back to the South Side, you can guarantee that Hawk will be back, and front and center at the parade.