Hawk Harrelson plans to cut back announcing schedule in 2016

Longtime White Sox TV play-by-play announcer Ken “The Hawk” Harrelson announced Monday his intentions to cut back on his announcing schedule for the 2016 season, as first reported by Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM in Chicago.

Levine reported that Harrelson, 79, will be limited to working road games, along with a select few home games, including opening day at U.S. Cellular Field and the series against the Cubs.

Among the reasons Harrelson is believed to be cutting back on working home games is his lengthy commute to U.S. Cellular Field, a near-100 mile drive from his home in Granger, Indiana.

Harrelson briefly took some time off this season due to a minor surgical procedure, but ended up working close to a full schedule. He missed an 11-game road trip due to the procedure. Chicago Bulls radio broadcaster Chuck Swirsky filled in for Harrelson during his absence.

Harrelson has been the voice of the White Sox for more than three decades.

According to an article on the Chicago Tribune website, a White Sox spokesman said the club has not made any decisions regarding broadcasting tandems for the 2016 season. The radio duo of Ed Farmer and Darrin Jackson are expected to return as the broadcasts move to a new station, WLS-AM 890, next year.