Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Crosstown open thread
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Crosstown open thread

Monday, Jun 17, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Sun-Times

The White Sox make their latest visit up north to Wrigley Field to face the Cubs this week, but their former longtime announcer appears happy he’s not joining them.

Hawk Harrelson, when asked by local television reporters whether he’d miss covering games at one of baseball’s legendary stadiums, told reporters he’s got no plans to step back in the Friendly Confines again anytime soon because “that place sucks” for visiting teams.

“You couldn’t give me a $5,000, $10,000 bill to put another foot in that place,” Harrelson, who covered White Sox games for 33 years until his retirement in 2017, said Monday. “I’m telling you what, that place sucks, for the visiting team.” […]

“Now for the fans, it’s great,” Harrelson said of Wrigley. “The venue is great. You can walk from Wrigley all the way downtown if you want, you can walk from downtown to Wrigley. So the venue is beautiful, and once you get on the field it’s great. […]

So when is Harrelson going back? “Never again.”

I haven’t been to Wrigley Field in almost 20 years. I refuse to step foot in that place. I won’t even go to a rooftop event. Sports makes you weird, I guess.

* Video…



       

48 Comments
  1. - Lucas Giolito >>> Jeff Pico - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:52 pm:

    I hate the Cubs.

    Abolish interleague play and the DH.


  2. - 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:54 pm:

    ===You can walk from Wrigley all the way downtown if you want, you can walk from downtown to Wrigley.===

    Wow, Hawk still has that ole country poetry going on. It’s always better when he stays quiet, like when he was the Sox broadcaster and viewers wondered why his microphone wasn’t working.

    Here’s a tip for Hawk: you can walk to Comiskey too. As a great man once said, “everywhere is within walking distance, if you have the time.”

    I don’t miss Hawk one bit. See this interview fills my quota of Hawkisms for 2019.


  3. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:55 pm:

    ===I don’t miss Hawk one bit===

    Nobody cares what a Cub fan thinks of Hawk.


  4. - ajc - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:57 pm:

    The Hawk wont go to Wrigley, Rickets must be doing something right.


  5. - Chad Hays - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:59 pm:

    My retired Legislator license plate:

    HE GONE

    I’m with Rich - I’m a chopper, two hopper away from ever caring what a Cub fan thinks of Hawk.


  6. - Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:59 pm:

    Wrigley is the eighth wonder of the world.


  7. - The Bashful Raconteur - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 1:59 pm:

    “You couldn’t give me a $5,000, $10,000 bill to put another foot in that place,” Harrelson..

    The feeling is mutual. So everybody’s happy.

    Play ball.


  8. - SSL - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:03 pm:

    Nobody is as smart as Hawk thinks he is. A bag of wind on his best day.

    Sox should take both games if they are just patient and let Joe out manage himself.


  9. - Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:04 pm:

    Who?


  10. - Reality Check - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:07 pm:

    Hawk Harrelson is a buffoon. If you’re agreeing with him, you’re doing something wrong.


  11. - Fax Machine - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:07 pm:

    Actually the walk from downtown to Sox Park is a lot safer now than it used to be. Same distance too (Addison is 3600 north, 35th Street is 3500 South).


  12. - Responsa - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:08 pm:

    I’ll be there Wednesday night to cheer on Lucas Giolito or as some spell it, G-elite-o. Unfortunately the weather looks iffy for Wrigley that afternoon/evening.


  13. - So_Ill - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:08 pm:

    Coming from the worst announcer in sports history, that’s rich.

    The visiting team just got a brand new, state of the art clubhouse, so I would assume it’s much better for the visiting team.

    And Rich, you missed a couple of good Dead and Co. shows at Wrigley last weekend.


  14. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:11 pm:

    ===you missed a couple of good Dead and Co. shows at Wrigley===

    If Jerry Garcia himself came back from the dead, I still would not go to Wrigley.


  15. - Dude - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:14 pm:

    -Reality Check-

    Sports are for fun. Hawk, Harry, Bob Uecker et. al. are in the entertainment business. Most do not get appointed to an Ambassadorship post retirement from the booth. ALL are homers for the franchise they work(ed) for . . . .who cares??

    It is a child’s game, enjoy it for what it is . . . . . .and for the record, has anybody EVER suggested the accommodations for the visiting team at Wrigley are anything more than a toilet . . . .ever? Relax.


  16. - Dude - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:16 pm:

    If Wrigley updated the visitors accommodations recently, I stand corrected. It was a toilet for the previous 75 years or so . . . . .fixed it.


  17. - Gruntled University Employee - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:17 pm:

    That Hawk quote reminds me of an old joke about why all of the trees in downstate IL lean slightly to the North.


  18. - Father Ted - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:18 pm:

    I enjoyed Hawk for many years but eventually the whole schtick kind of ran its course, in my opinion. I never stopped loving his passion for the Sox though and am happy the team found a way to let him retire on his own terms. Even better than that was moving on to Jason Benetti, who has been a fantastic addition to the broadcast team.


  19. - Anon312 - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:19 pm:

    As a commentator, Hawk was equal parts great and grating.

    As a fan, he’s belligerent. No one cares what a stadium is like for the opposing players. Fans care what the environment is like for them. And as a die-hard Sox fan, Wrigley is undeniably an amazing venue to take in a ball game.


  20. - I Miss Bentohs - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:20 pm:

    I know you Cub fans like that place but I honestly think it is the worse venue in America to watch a baseball game. The fans are fun but the stadium is brutal.


  21. - Ken_in_Aurora - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:20 pm:

    ===If Jerry Garcia himself came back from the dead, I still would not go to Wrigley.===

    Your loss - Friday night was great, and it even smelled like a late 70s concert.


  22. - Chunga - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:23 pm:

    Many years ago I lived near Wrigley. It smells like what it is. 100 years of urine and beer soaked concrete.
    I agree with Hawk the place stinks!


  23. - Dozer - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:29 pm:

    why does he still command any attention? honestly..Go Cubs!!!


  24. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:30 pm:

    ===It smells like what it is===

    I love these threads more than anything. Unadulterated hatred without political partisanship. Put it on the board… Yes!


  25. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:32 pm:

    ===why does he still command any attention?===

    Because he was one of the greatest broadcasters in the history of baseball.


  26. - slow down - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:33 pm:

    Your Cubs hatred just makes us stronger.


  27. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:38 pm:

    ===just makes us stronger===

    Pretty low bar.


  28. - slow down - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:45 pm:

    The thing about the Cubs is that in Chicago, they are hated and adored but never ignored. As for the Sox, you can go years without noticing they’re still a Chicago team. Too bad Tampa’s no longer an option.


  29. - Try-4-Truth - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:45 pm:

    ====Because he was one of the greatest broadcasters in the history of baseball.====

    Oh boy, Mr. Miller. Stick with the Statehouse, you are outside your lane here.


  30. - Try-4-Truth - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:47 pm:

    Hawk isn’t even on this list:

    https://www.ranker.com/list/best-baseball-announcers-of-all-time/ranker-baseball


  31. - Donnie Elgin - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:50 pm:

    The Hawk speaking his mind is great, as the Sox rebuild is almost done we need more visceral “homer” bleed white and black stuff. Let the Cubs have Maddon and his mad zen guru Leonardo Da vinci approach, it works for them.


  32. - Anon E Moose - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:52 pm:

    Lots of righteous indignation from fans who are making already grossly wealthy people more wealthy.


  33. - Leon Durham - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:52 pm:

    Did you know that Hawk played with Carl Yazstremzski? Also that no denominations larger than $100 have been circulated since 1969? TWTW bro.


  34. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 2:58 pm:

    ===Hawk isn’t even on this list:===

    Meh. Bite me.


  35. - Amalia - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 3:07 pm:

    Wrigley is the eighth wonder of the world? maybe wonder why people like it. especially now, with the TRicketts family and their hosting of TrumpFest Chicago. give me the fireworks after a homer and walking around the ball mall at the Rate any day over yuppie crowds.


  36. - City Zen - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 3:13 pm:

    The Hawk Wants You…to see Steve Carlton and George Foster play in Sox uniforms before they retire:

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-08-11-8602270888-story.html

    The other player they were pursuing at the same time but didn’t get? Andre Dawson.


  37. - Levivotedfor Judy - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 3:15 pm:

    I’ve been lucky in hearing some great colorful baseball announcers. I grew up listening to Jack Buck with the Cardinals. Listened to Harry Carey do the White Sox in college (and the Cubs later) and Hawk covering the Sox. A midwest Mt. Rushmore of baseball announcers to me.


  38. - Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 3:25 pm:

    Hang in there Hawk visitors locker room will be completed next year and it will be spectacular


  39. - 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 3:44 pm:

    === he was one of the greatest broadcasters in the history of baseball===

    Kind of early in the day, isn’t it Rich? Or is that from the cough syrup?

    He was a good player, a much better player than he was as GM, and a much, much better GM than he was a broadcaster.

    He traded Bobby Bonilla for…wait for it…Jose DeLeon. In 1986. Before firing Tony LaRussa. And he was better at GM than he was ever in the booth.

    Can o’ corn. Duck snort. Grab some bench. Cliche after cliche after tired, predictable cliche.


  40. - Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 4:02 pm:

    ===Or is that from the cough syrup?===

    My cough medicine contains no alcohol.


  41. - Skeptic - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 4:19 pm:

    I found Hawk annoying. I found Harry Carey annoying. I turned down the volume on both. I’ve never been to The Stadium Formerly Known as Comiskey. I’ve never been to Wrigley, and as long as Ricketts is involved, I never will. Of course that and a $20 will just about buy you a beer at the ballpark.


  42. - Grandson of Man - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 4:55 pm:

    Loved Hawk. Very passionate. Loved his call of DeWayne Wise’s outstanding catch to save Buehrle’s perfect game no-hitter—among many other calls.


  43. - Pundent - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 5:03 pm:

    =Because he was one of the greatest broadcasters in the history of baseball.=

    Agreed. But he also became a bit bitter and angry in his latter years. Things got so bad that he was rumored to have told Roger Bossard to “get off my lawn.”


  44. - Cheryl44 - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 5:30 pm:

    I grew up in Oak Lawn. I stopped paying attention to the Sox because of Harrelson.

    And Picks? Sox Park is exactly as far from downtown as Wrigley.


  45. - Flapdoodle - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 8:17 pm:

    From Rich: “I haven’t been to Wrigley Field in almost 20 years. I refuse to step foot in that place.”

    My father likewise always refused to go to Wrigley himself or let his children do so. A stout Democrat, he claimed that all Cubs fans were Republicans, so that settled that.


  46. - thunderspirit - Monday, Jun 17, 19 @ 9:46 pm:

    I’ve been to a number of MLB ballparks (my wife and I are on a quest to see all 30) and, by comparison to the new facilities, Wrigley Field may still look great on TV but the place is an absolute dump and needs to be blown up.

    And I say that as a die-hard Cubs fan.


  47. - Anon324 - Tuesday, Jun 18, 19 @ 9:50 am:

    Wrigley is definitely a dump. They can put lipstick on that pig all day with luxury boxes and clubs and “reviving the neighborhood,” it’s still a dump. When every inch of concrete needs to be covered because it’s at risk of falling and hitting people, you’ve got yourself a dump. The best you can say is it’s a summer beer garden with a baseball field in the middle of it.


  48. - Shevek - Tuesday, Jun 18, 19 @ 12:11 pm:

    I’m a life long Cubs fan, and I love Wrigley, urine smells and all. But I don’t get the hatred. I have no problem when an out of town guest wants to go down to whatever they’re calling that ball park on the South Side. I enjoy the game and the amenities, and I root for the Sox because they are still a Chicago team regardless. I even like to see the Sox do well, as long as they don’t beat the Cubs.

    Sorry for the sacrilege.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Today's number: $13.33 billion
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup (Updated x2)
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Fundraiser list
* How does this medical debt relief plan work?
* Pritzker, Preckwinkle ‘optimistic’ that Chicago city council will approve asylum-seeker funding
* Pritzker says prison facilities must be replaced: "This is not an optional issue" (Updated)
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update to today’s edition and some campaign stuff
* Governor says free speech is a right, but doesn’t support protesters blocking traffic
* On Harmon, the White Sox, the Bears and BIPA
* It’s just a bill
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller