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Ken Harrelson

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Kenneth Smith "Ken" Harrelson (born September 4, 1941 in Woodruff, South Carolina), nicknamed "The Hawk", due to his distinctive profile, is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who currently serves as a broadcast announcer for the Chicago White Sox.

Throwing and batting right-handed, Harrelson played for four teams: the Kansas City Athletics (1963-66, 1967), Washington Senators (1966-67), Boston Red Sox (1967-69), Cleveland Indians (1969-71). In his nine-season career, Harrelson was a .239 hitter with 131 home runs and 421 RBI in 900 games.

His time with the Athletics ended abruptly in 1967 when Harrelson angrily denounced team owner Charlie Finley following the dismissal of manager Alvin Dark. Saying that Finley was "a menace to baseball," Harrelson was released and ended up signing a lucrative deal with the Boston Red Sox, who were in contention to win their first pennant since 1946.

Brought in to replace the injured Tony Conigliaro, Harrelson helped the team win the pennant, but watched the team drop a close World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. However, in 1968, he had his finest season, making the American League All-Star team and leading the American League in Runs Batted In with 109.

On April 19, 1969, Harrelson was traded to the Indians, a move that shocked him and led him to briefly retire. Following conversations with commissioner Bowie Kuhn and a contract adjustment by Cleveland, Harrelson reported to the team, finishing the year with 30 home runs. He also used his local celebrity to briefly host a half-hour program entitled, "The Hawk's Nest" on local CBS affiliate, WJW-TV.

During spring training the following year, Harrelson suffered a broken leg while sliding into second base during a March 19 exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics. The injury kept him on the sidelines for much of the season. When Indian rookie Chris Chambliss took control of the first base position in 1971, Harrelson decided to retire to pursue a professional golf career.

After his time on the links brought minimal compensation over the next few years, Harrelson turned to a broadcasting career, beginning in 1975 with the Red Sox. He then worked for a number of teams, including the Chicago White Sox in two separate stints, and was hired as general manager for the White Sox for one season in 1986. Since 1990, he has served as one of the team's announcers.

As the announcer for the White Sox, Harrelson is known for his distinctive home run call, "That ball hit deep. Waaaaaaaaaay back. He looks up, you can put it on the booooooooooooooaaaaaaard...YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!" , which is instantly recognizable to baseball fans all across North America. Also when a player on the opposing team strikes out, he goes into his famous call, "HE GONE!"

Harrelson's distinctive announcing style is a subject of much contention amongst Chicago sports fans. Some have criticized him for the monotony of his voice and his frequent long stretches of silence while calling a game, especially if the White Sox play on the field is subpar.

Fact

  • While playing for the Athletics, Harrelson invented the batting glove by wearing a golf glove while batting, according to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, by Paul Dickson.

Catch phrases

  • "Hiney Bird"-a bird that flies in perfectly executed concentric circles until it flies up his own behind and disappears forever (a reference to Jay Mariotti.)
  • "Sit Back, Relax, and Strap it Down!"- when the pre-game analysis of the two teams ends.
  • "That's a can o' corn" - when any batter hits a lazy fly ball
  • "Uh-oh!" When an opposing team hits a home run distance ball
  • "You can put it on the booooard... YES!" - when a Sox batter hits a home run
  • ""That ball hit deep. Waaaaaaaaaay back. He looks up, you can put it on the booooooooooooooaaaaaaard...YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!" (D.J. joins in)
  • "Mercy!" - usually after a great play, or when the White Sox are having a big inning
  • "HE GAWN!" - when a Sox pitcher strikes out an opposing batter
  • "Right size, wrong shape." - when a ball with home run distance goes foul
  • "Rack 'em up!" - when White Sox defenders successfully execute a double play
  • "Duck snort" - a short, hard fly ball that lands in the gap between an infielder and an outfielder*
  • "STRETCH!" - when a White Sox batter hits a deep ball that has the potential to go over the wall for a homerun*
  • "Souvenir right/left side" - when a player hits a ball foul into the stands on the left or right side.*
  • "Hang woof 'em" - when a player hits a hard line drive right to an infielder.
  • "Ducks on a pond" - when there are runners in scoring position
  • "Reel 'em in" - when a Sox player has a count with 3 balls, meaning to draw a walk
  • "You can cancel the postgame show" - when a batter breaks up a pitcher's no-hit bid.
  • "Grab some bench!" - when a White Sox pitcher strikes out an opposing batter
  • "Gas" - when a White Sox pitcher throws a fastball on which the batter whiffs
  • "WAY BACK!" - when a White Sox player hits a ball so far it is a no-doubt home run
  • "Stay fair..it will!" - when a White Sox player hits a ball that might go foul, but doesn't
  • "That ball was hurt" - when a White Sox player hits a ball (usually a long homerun) with tremendous force
  • "Sacks packed with Sox" - when the White Sox are batting and have the bases loaded
  • "That'll load 'em up" - a play (usually a base on balls) loading the bases while the White Sox are batting
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