Longtime White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Harrelson was a 2007, 2014 and 2017 finalist. He retired from broadcasting after the 2018 season after serving as the voice of White Sox television for 33 seasons.
Harrelson was one of eight finalists, along with Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes, Gary Cohen, Jacques Doucet, Bill King, Mike Krukow, Ned Martin and Dewayne Staats.
Harrelson will be recognized during the Hall of Fame Awards Presentation on July 25, as part of Hall of Fame Weekend 2020. Harrelson becomes the 44th winner of the Frick Award, in a vote conducted by the Hall of Fame’s 15-member Frick Award Committee.
Hawk's call from the Hall!
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 11, 2019
Ken Harrelson is the 2020 Ford C. Frick Award winner! pic.twitter.com/J3i1nuzn3P
“Ken Harrelson created a bond between the White Sox and their fans with his unabashed love of South Side Chicago baseball,” said Tim Mead, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Each time he stepped into the booth, ‘Hawk’ called the game with the passion of a fan and the knowledge of an MLB All-Star. As the narrator for some of the greatest moments in White Sox history, including the franchise’s 2005 World Series championship, Ken’s voice will echo for all time throughout the Windy City.”
“I am truly humbled to receive the greatest honor for any broadcaster in baseball,” said Harrelson. “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.”
Harrelson has over 40 years of broadcasting experience during his eight decades in professional baseball. He retired from broadcasting after the 2018 season, his 33rd as voice of the Sox. He also spent seven seasons in the television booth for the Boston Red Sox from 1975-81 and two years with the New York Yankees from 1987-88.
Harrelson is the fifth former White Sox broadcaster to receive the award, joining Jack Brickhouse (1983), Harry Caray (1989), Bob Elson (1979) and Milo Hamilton (1992).
What they’re saying about Harrelson’s honor.
Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf: “Hawk is so deserving of this tremendous honor. His passion for baseball is unmatched, and he has entertained generations of White Sox fans with his stories, experiences and insight. He cared passionately about the White Sox and like our fans, took every win and loss to heart. With his nicknames and catchphrases, Hawk changed the way people talk about baseball and even how they describe day-to-day life. Hawk deservedly joins an impressive list of great Chicago baseball announcers who have been honored by the Hall of Fame with the Frick Award.”
Frank Thomas: “Today’s Frick Award honor for Hawk is very deserved, and I cannot be happier for him. Hawk ranks among the greatest broadcasters in baseball history, and this award cements his legacy in the game. I will always appreciate Hawk coining ‘The Big Hurt’ nickname because it was a huge part of who I was as a ballplayer. Induction weekend is a special time in Cooperstown, and I’m excited to have a front row seat for his speech.”
Paul Konerko: “Hawk truly is a legend. He’s a recognizable figure and has done nothing but good things for the game. Hawk spent a ton of time in the broadcast booth literally changing the vocabulary of the game. His nicknames and catchphrases are still being used by media, players and fans today.”
A.J. Pierzynski: “Hawk has made a lasting impact during his eight decades in the game and I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of this honor. He became synonymous with White Sox baseball, and I was privileged to be part of it during my eight seasons on the South Side. Hawk was like a father to me and guys like Paulie (Konerko) and (Mark) Buehrle. This is a long overdue honor and a great day for Hawk, his family and everyone associated with White Sox baseball. Put that on the board, yes!”
Steve Stone: “Hawk changed the language of the game. He touched many lives and to the White Sox and baseball he was an original unique voice of the game”
Jason Benetti: “Forever, Hawk will be with the best of the best in Cooperstown, where he and his creativity and passion belong, He’s touched all of us and changed the way so many speak about the game in Chicago and beyond. He deserves this deeply.”
