WHEREAS, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson, former Major League Baseball player, and a five-time Emmy Award winner is retiring after thirty-three seasons as the "voice" of Chicago White Sox baseball; and
WHEREAS, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson, with a unique signature style of play-by-play description energized White Sox fandom and endeared him to the Chicago sports world beginning in 1981 when he became a member of the broadcast team with Hall of Fame pitcher Don Drysdale; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson's retirement by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, a native of Savannah, Georgia, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson signed his first professional contract with the Kansas City Athletics in 1959 as an amateur free agent and made his Major League debut as a first-baseman-outfielder on June 9, 1963; and
WHEREAS, early on, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson established himself as a colorful and flamboyant player popular with fans and teammates in Kansas City, Washington, Boston and Cleveland, gaining fame for his nickname, manner of dress, humor and alter ego as "the Hawk;" and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 1967 Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox and enjoyed his greatest season a year later as a member of the American League All Star team and league leader in runs batted in; and
WHEREAS, during his professional playing career, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson introduced the batting glove to baseball; and
WHEREAS, following the conclusion of his baseball playing career in 1971 following a severe injury, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson played professional golf for the next three-and-one-half years, qualifying for the British Open and winning several tournaments before launching a new career as a broadcast announcer for the Boston Red Sox in 1975 on WSBK-TV; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, following the departure of Harry Caray from the Chicago White Sox broadcast booth, Ken "the Hawk" Harrelson took over play-by-play duties for Chicago's bel...
Click here for full text