Former Chicago White Sox television play-by-play announcer Ken Harrelson was named the winner of the 2020 Ford C. Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Wednesday.
FILE PHOTO: Sep 2, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Former baseball player and announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson speaks during a ceremony before game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Young-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
Harrelson, 78, will receive the award on July 25, 2020 in Cooperstown, N.Y.
“I am truly humbled to receive the greatest honor for any broadcaster in baseball,” Harrelson said in a statement released by the team. “I would like to thank the Frick Award committee for selecting me for this tremendous honor. It is very humbling to join the impressive list of past recipients, including all of the voices who educated and entertained generations of Chicago fans over the years. I also want to thank the White Sox organization for allowing me the opportunity to bring the great game of baseball to our fans.
“In the end, broadcasting has always been about having a conversation with Sox fans, and I need to thank them from the bottom of my heart for allowing me into their homes each night to talk about the team and the sport we all love.”
Known for his homespun calls and his unabashed love of the White Sox, Harrelson spent seven seasons (1975-81) calling games for the Boston Red Sox and two with the New York Yankees (1987-88).
In between, he was Chicago’s announcer from 1982-85 before he spent the 1986 season as the team’s general manager. He rejoined the White Sox in 1990 and retired following the 2018 season.
He becomes the fifth former White Sox voice to win the award, joining Jack Brickhouse (1983), Harry Caray (1989), Bob Elson (1979) and Milo Hamilton (1992).
“His passion for baseball is unmatched, and he has entertained generations of White Sox fans with his stories, experiences and insight,” team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said of Harrelson, known as “Hawk” to fans. “He cared passionately about the White Sox and like our fans, took every win and loss to heart.”
Harrelson played for four teams during his major league career from 1963-71. His best season came in 1968 with the Red Sox, when he was an All-Star and led the majors with 109 RBIs.
—Field Level Media