The Hawk is Still Flying High

The Chicago White Sox are my favorite baseball team. Chalk it up to wanting to go against the grain of all the Cubs fans who permeate the area, or that I actually think U.S. Cellular Field is now a superior ballpark -- I've just always loved the "South Siders."

That admiration extends to long-time White Sox announcer, Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson. I love tuning in to Sox games to hear Hawk's calls and opinions.

He's one of the most polarizing figures in sports broadcasting. He's the self-described "biggest homer in baseball," and he prides himself on it. There are many who don't like his style -- he's received reprimands from MLB for his criticisms of umpires. In July 2010, GQ named Harrelson the worst announcer in baseball.

I don't care.

You can't argue that he's not unique and brings some distinctiveness to what can often be a boring game.

Hawk's greatest gifts to the world are his catch phrases. Here are several of my favorites:

"You can put it on the board! Yes! Yes!"

"He gone!"

"Grab some bench!"

"Sacks packed with Sox."

"Sit back. Relax and strap it down."

"You gotta be...bleeping me!"