8-8-08 Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, White Sox Broadcaster

Our number three dale and -- Sports Radio WEEI our next guest as a I UT daily double he was arguably one of the most popular players in the history of the Boston Red Sox. And he's arguably one of the most popular. Sports personalities in the city of Chicago. Former Red Sox player in Chicago White Sox commentator Ken hawk Harrelson joins us on the lines they -- Daylon Michael how are. -- Michael good morning. Doing great in these parts but in Chicago they don't even better you got the Cubs with the best record in baseball and the White Sox. Best team in the American League central you gotta go on out there.

Yeah that we got been here a long time now and we have without question these -- the two best teams that one time. Probably in the last quarter century -- sure. It's just been a lot of fun. The Cubs are good ballclub we're good ballclub. And this is this is really get -- this get a chance to be cup White Sox -- World Series this year.

From afar those of us who were not Chicago ones we look at -- we say. The Cubs have the hold on the city and the White Sox are kind of the second citizens do you agree with that.

Yeah and then the reason being is that when I first got here. Actually it was a White Sox out and the Cubs were really they weren't very good team needed -- very well all I can remember. Because -- wood off 5600 people a game 700 people game. And and the White Sox were the first ones to bring in you know pay television so to speak with sports vision. So people who were getting the White Sox home. Preachy but he always years all the sudden I had to pay for it. And it really took -- told us for a long is -- fan base because not everybody -- it you know when you first come there was some like that everybody every -- wired for. And it diminished the fan base and since that time because you know we're continuing to be on WGN. Superstation and -- around the country. In the the Cubs fan base started to grow and now it's become more cult rather than a cup thing. It's. This situation where they have a beautiful ballpark over there to watch game from Wrigley Field. And -- it very it is really good too because all of Barcelona's restaurants taverns. -- the source more an advantage so to speak they're going to video baseball game like they take a survey. That eight or nine years ago. And 40% of people who went to Wrigley Field did -- know we will play.

Clock for the first time in seven and a half years you'll see a Red Sox team without Manny Ramirez in the lineup. How does that situation impress you if you're the if you the Chicago White Sox.

Then make our -- of that database is a good player. And dangerous hitter birdies he's not Manny Ramirez and I Ramirez to view of the smartest -- an American League in just one of the greatest hitters ever worsening. So while it was one when that deal was made I was hoping when Manny was -- and off you know but get out of there which I was -- they get rid of him because of the fact it's. You know I'd -- White Sox -- still pull for the Red Sox. But not like we -- and obviously in this series. I was happy with Joe wanted to go for it certainly last year I was ecstatic. That I didn't like is much that respected Manny as a hitter. I didn't like his continual pop and -- and trying that was all I I I meet meet me and I got tired of the many in many B yes.

hard how and your opinion does Ozzie Guillen continued to survive there yes he did -- a World Series title with the white White Sox in 2005 but. It always seems that there's some comment from Ozzie Guillen some type of blow up how does he managed to hold on there.

Well several reasons first Rollins and all the manager. He's one of the top in my opinion certainly an American League is one top. Torre and and baseball is on top five. So when you get a guy like that. Is he knows what he's doing he's been terrific manager easily the face to the ball well. And we don't win it without him and know five him and we went this year when Aramis is going to be because about his well. -- think he says a lot of times respond anyway the media want suspect. That same with. Early in here -- Besides people were spinning it like god it was when Kenny Williams our general manager in the bud. And that was completely a 180 degrees it from the truth that they missile and anybody in the but you sort -- And they were upset that he's a great walker but feel like Greg Walker but to restore himself -- he was taken responsibility but because somebody. This English and the way he speaks a lot of times people misconstrue it. And then again as the media the you know open range sort of speak to what it -- being hit anywhere they want to and they decided displayed in the negative fashion. Has not the first time that's happen. -- like -- Marriott here to -- I think. In every time he writes a column first slot Taylor comes in the ballpark. Never -- ball park. Yet furious columns. To your immediate impression he's there every day interviewing he interviewing the players interviewing everybody. Well he does -- he'll read your column your column by column by column and then he'll take quote from you what you wrote. -- and so forth and so on he writes a column about it so he must think it originality Israel plagiarism.

If I. At the -- pitching was the key when the White Sox won the World Series few years ago what's the key when anybody wins a World Series. The the Sox White Sox have enough pitching to win it again.

Yes we do if we're healthy. We're not healthy right now but nobody is you tell me your bullpen in great shape right now.

Yeah not great but okay.

Okay I'll say what this is August -- August 8. There's not one in the bullpen in the major leagues among thirty teams that you could call victory as -- usual bullpen. Healthy and ready to go everyone on the you have thirty know that's what you'll. And that's -- all down to that's what baseball. People live ask me. Over the last I would get -- what's the biggest difference in baseball last fifty years. There was no question about his bullpen -- become a battle Balkans I don't care how good you're starters nor. It has -- pretty good starters over there as we do. Are they going to go 89 innings every game. No they don't -- every day. No no way -- always become I don't care how good your starters are okay average offenses. If you don't have a good bullpen. -- Now the person's going to win the east is going to be that game that gets the best production other bullpen. For the last seven weeks in cease. The person's going to win the central is going to be attained he gets the best production out of their bullpen for the last seven weeks. Angels of foregone conclusion on the west so forget about that. There's also really tight race whoever gets the best production out of bullpen is going to be the winner.

Hockey guys recently picked up. Can get Ken Griffey junior what you have left.

Well have to -- great. I know what thing he has a nice presents there's no question about that and that has merit. I'm vice president has merit when you. We had a situation in the ball game the other day dead because of his presence. They decided. To pitch to the guy in front. And it got starting got a base hit and went on the when the ball. It was the next hitter he struck out but again it was because this presents. It is manager make that decision. In that sense -- double there the last thing this manager -- it was Ken Griffey junior at the plate. Against virtually a one pitch pitcher. And it turned out. Even though he and is -- struck out he did his job with his presence in getting the guy in front -- a nice -- it and he delivered.

Because of the make up of the White Sox roster does he have to play center field every day and Kenny.

Well I don't think so I don't think getting complacent and feel every day care. You know anyone -- in Cincinnati. And -- I don't think it's it's where which Kenny Williams our our general managers lead when he acquired him. This is what I had to be look at -- that we saw in Seattle because -- belonged back Ken Griffey junior was the best player I ever saw. And he's certain it was about -- fielder. But the things that a change he's 38 years old now he still looks terrific he still has good bat speed. But it is going to Philly was not even close so we have a young man sit on our bench is best outfield we have and -- Ryan Anderson. But my am I going to be playing him because of the offense Nick Swisher has done a credible job -- center field. But he is a terrific first base but we have Paul Konerko so that if you concede. We got the dominoes here that we got to get right place because -- to to a ball is probably the whole house now.

Pocket as a huge baseball weekend in the city of Chicago. Enjoy your weekend out there it's always fun to talk baseball.

All right yeah as any -- that you take -- I -- just simply don't want Oki doesn't think Stanley -- are ready alive but that is I can hawk Harrelson.