NBC Sports Chicago To Celebrate Career of Ken ‘Hawk’ Harrelson With Documentary on September 13

The Chicago White Sox and NBC Sports Chicago have announced a joint production of a brand new documentary that chronicles the life and career of one of the most colorful characters and influential personalities in baseball history: Ken “Hawk” Harrelson. This special feature presentation, simply entitled Hawk premieres Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 PM CT exclusively on NBC Sports Chicago, NBCSportsChicago.com, and on the NBC Sports app.

Prior to the September 13 premiere of Hawk on NBC Sports Chicago, the White Sox will hold a VIP sneak preview screening to take place on Thursday, September 6 at 6:00 PM at ArcLight Cinemas (1500 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago). A limited number of tickets to the screening, which will feature special guests and include a Q&A session with “Hawk” and the directors, will be available to fans through a Chicago White Sox Charities sweepstakes. Fans can purchase entry to the “He Gone!” sweepstakes at whitesox.com/hawk.

Harrelson, who will mark eight decades in baseball in 2019, will retire from the broadcast booth after 33 seasons at the conclusion of the 2018 season. In this one-hour documentary, production teams from both the White Sox and NBC Sports Chicago traveled the country with Harrelson, which included stops in Savannah, Georgia, Boston, and Orlando, Florida among others.

The documentary delves into the alter-ego of Ken & “Hawk” and what truly matters most to Harrelson — his family — as set during a gathering outside of his home in Granger, Indiana. This all-encompassing documentary explores the incredible and spirited life of one of baseball’s most memorable figures.

The joint collaboration of Hawk was produced & written by SoxTV, the digital production team of the Chicago White Sox, and NBC Sports Chicago originals. The NBC Sports Chicago team includes multiple Emmy-award winner/Senior Producer of Original Content Ryan McGuffey, along with videography handled by Content Producer Matt Buckman & editing by Executive Producer of Original Content Sarah Lauch. In equal collaboration, the SoxTV consists of Emmy-award winner/White Sox Director of Digital Communications Brad Boron, Manager of Digital Media Matt Dahl, as well as Digital Video Coordinators JV Trammell and Blake Evaristo. With over 20 hours of exclusive interview footage, Hawk captures some of the most revealing stories from those individuals in Harrelson’s life who not only know him best, but also truly understand the real man behind the “Hawk” persona.

“As he nears eight decades in this game as a player, executive, and broadcaster, one thing is certainly clear: Hawk has a passion for baseball. Few people can claim a lasting impact on the game like Hawk, from the batting glove, to his standout 1968 season in Boston and career as a player, his decades as a broadcaster as well as his experience as an executive,” says Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox Chairman. “With nicknames like ‘The Big Hurt’ and catchphrases like ‘He Gone’ and ‘You Can Put It on the Board…YES!,’ Hawk literally has changed the way generations of fans talk about baseball. As this documentary shows again and again, he’s one of a kind. There certainly will never be another Hawk Harrelson.”

In addition to in-depth and heartfelt discussion with Harrelson, the documentary includes numerous interviews with family members, players, coaches, front office executives, and broadcasters featuring honest “Hawk” recollections from the following individuals:

  • Allan H. “Bud” Selig (former MLB Commissioner)
  • Tom “Wimpy” Paciorek (former broadcast partner)
  • Darrin “DJ” Jackson (former broadcast partner)
  • Steve Stone (current broadcast partner)
  • Jason Benetti (White Sox broadcaster)
  • Bob Costas (NBC Sports broadcasting legend)
  • Ann Meyers Drysdale (widow of former broadcast partner Don Drysdale)
  • Denny Matthews (legendary Royals broadcaster)
  • Bob Uecker (legendary Brewers broadcaster)
  • Eric Nadel (legendary Rangers broadcaster)
  • Terry Francona (Indians manager)
  • Frank Thomas (White Sox DH/1B, 1990-2005)
  • Paul Konerko (White Sox 1B, 1999-2014)
  • Mark Buehrle (White Sox P, 2000-2011)
  • A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox C, 2005-2011)
  • Bo Jackson (White Sox DH/OF, 1991-1993)
  • Aris Harrelson (wife)
  • Krista Harrelson (daughter)
  • Casey Harrelson (son)

Password must contain the following:

A lowercase letter

A capital (uppercase) letter

A number

Minimum 8 characters

;
SVGLogoHR_NOTAG-200

The Latest in Sports Video Production & Technology
in Your Inbox for FREE

Daily Email Newsletters Monday - Friday