He Gone: Hawk Harrelson to Retire From Chisox Broadcast Booth After 2018 Season

It is fitting that I am watching the Chicago White Sox host the Boston Red Sox with Ken "Hawk" Harrelson's announcement that he will depart the broadcast booth after the 2018 season.

Despite never having worn a White Sox uniform during his 9-year playing career which took him from the Kansas City A's to the Washington Senators back to the Kansas City A's to the Boston Red Sox to the Cleveland Indians, Harrelson is synonymous with the Chisox. After seven seasons in the Red Sox broadcast booth, Harrelson succeeded Harry Caray in the White Sox broadcast booth in 1982.

After a curious stint as the White Sox GM in 1986 and two seasons in the New York Yankees broadcast booth, Harrelson returned in 1990. It was then Harrelson made his mark nicknaming Frank Thomas "The Big Hurt" and with catchphrases such as "he gone" after a strikeout and "you can put it on the board" after a White Sox home run. Harrelson is the anti-Vin Scully. He is an unabashed homer. With most people it would be annoying, but with Harrelson its endearing as was the case when he called Jim Thome's 500th home run in 2007 and the last out of Mark Buehrle's perfect game in 2009 with genuine, unbridled emotion.

Harrelson, who turns 76 in September, has been working a reduced schedule since last year and will only work 20 home games in 2018. So let's enjoy him while he can because soon he gone.