In his 35 years behind the microphone, White Sox broadcaster and golf maven Ken Harrelson has been known for his garish style. From “Put it on the board!” to “Grab some bench!” Harrelson is anything but a broadcasting wallflower, but don’t blame Ken.
“That’s the Hawk,” says the 69 year-old Harrelson. “Many times I’d be in a game and would say to myself, ‘Ken, get out of the Hawk’s way and let him go.’ At golf tournaments, Hawk might yell to the fans for support before making a big putt. I’ve spoken to psychiatrists about it. Hawk can do things that Ken can’t do.”
Now in his 26th season in Chicago, Harrelson first belonged to Boston, as a Red Sox slugger from 1967-69, and then alongside Dick Stockton and Ned Martin as the team’s television voice on WSBK-TV 38 from 1975-81. When he reflects on his time in Boston, a Red sox icon appears.
“The first thing I think of is Yaz. 1967 is still the best year I’ve ever seen any player have. To this day, he is the best left fielder I’ve ever seen. That year, whatever we needed, he did it.
As a player, Harrelson was known for his golf acumen, Nehru jackets and personality. He relates, “The word game denotes fun. It’s not life and death. When I was a player, my priorities were to win, have fun and make as much money as I could.”
Harrelson was traded to Cleveland in 1969 and was so upset, he briefly retired. His Boston broadcasting end was similarly bitter. “(Former Red Sox GM) Haywood Sullivan got upset with me for being critical. I was giving a speech at UMass-Boston and was asked about the job Haywood was doing with the team. Channel 38 didn’t want to let me go, but it didn’t help.”
Fired after the 1981 season, Harrelson joined the White Sox in 1982 and served as the team’s general manager in 1986. After two seasons calling Yankee games, he returned to the White Sox booth in 1989.
Baseball has given a lot to Ken Harrelson, and he has reciprocated, especially when it comes to kids. He relates, “Bobby Orr got me into going to Children’s Hospital. I got to know one boy really well and I told his family to call if they wanted to come to a game. When the boy was in remission, I got them Mr. Yawkey’s club seats. I was in a horrible slump. Before the game, the boy gave me some Dubble Bubble gum and told me it would help.
“In the first inning, I hit a two-run homer and saw the boy cheering as I rounded the bases. In the sixth, I hit another home run, but there was no one in the seats. After the game, I went to my apartment and the boy’s mother called. The boy had a relapse and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away.”
Such experiences tend to linger in one’s mind, as do the exploits of a Hall of Famer. Harrelson discusses the man he dubbed Big Jim Ed. “I swear Jim Rice could hit a golf ball 500 yards. I once bet Arnold Palmer $10,000 that Rice could hit it at least 100 yards further than I could. Shortly after that, Arnie was paired with Rice in a Pro-Am. He called me and said, ‘You know that bet we had about Rice, no friggin’ bet.’”
In 1968 with the Red Sox, Harrelson hit 35 home runs, had a league-leading 109 RBI. In 1971 while with Cleveland, Harrelson retired from baseball and pursued a pro golf career. His son Casey is currently a professional golfer.
The elder Harrelson is also the stuff of golf fashion lore, thought by many to be the man who popularized the batting glove by wearing a golf glove at the plate.
Be it golf or baseball, Harrelson’s love of competition and the fans is immeasurable. He relates, “It’s the fan’s game. (Former manager) Alvin Dark said that no one wanted to win a game more than Ken Harrelson did. He should have said more than Hawk did.”
Syndicated columnist John Molori’s writes for numerous publications and websites. Email John at MoloriMedia@aol.com.
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