Ken Harrelson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ken Harrelson made his mark on baseball history during his nine-year Major League career. He bounced around four different teams before stepping away from the game at just 29.

People called him “The Hawk” because of his sharp profile. He blended decent offensive numbers with a big personality, making him one of the more memorable players from the 1960s.

Harrelson retired in the middle of the 1971 season after rookie Chris Chambliss took over his first base job. That decision wrapped up a career that featured an All-Star selection and an American League RBI title.

He left baseball young, right after battling back from a broken leg he suffered in spring training in 1970. That injury limited him to only 17 games that year.

Harrelson’s journey shows a player who squeezed the most out of his talent. His reputation stretched far beyond his .239 career batting average and 131 home runs.

From his dramatic exit from Kansas City to his breakout 1968 season with Boston, Harrelson’s playing days set him up for an even bigger stage as a broadcaster. That second act really defined how most fans remember him.

Early Life and Path to Professional Baseball

Kenneth Smith Harrelson was born into tough circumstances, and those early challenges shaped his drive and edge as an athlete.

At Benedictine Military School, he wowed college recruiters all over the Southeast. In the end, he picked professional baseball over some tempting options in other sports.

Family Background

Kenneth Smith Harrelson was born on September 4, 1941, in Woodruff, South Carolina. He moved to Savannah, Georgia, in sixth grade and spent his formative years there with his older sister.

His single mother, Jessie, raised him and became his biggest supporter. She worked as a secretary at a meat-packing plant, scraping by on just $56 a week.

That financial pressure pushed young Ken to excel in athletics. By 17, he was the family’s main breadwinner, thanks to his sports talents and jobs he landed through school connections.

His mom’s advice played a huge role in his career choices. When Jessie suggested baseball might pay better than football, Ken listened and changed course.

High School Athletic Achievements

Harrelson attended Benedictine Military School in Savannah, picking it because his mom preferred it—even though he really didn’t like the strict military code.

Despite that, he thrived as a multi-sport athlete. He played:

• Baseball (though he always said it was his weakest sport)
• Football
• Basketball (he actually earned Basketball Schoolboy All-American honors)
• Golf

He showed off his baseball skills early, hitting three home runs in Savannah’s first-ever Little League game. His competitive streak drove him to stand out in every sport he tried.

The Benedictine alumni network also helped him out with jobs as he developed his athletic skills.

Choosing Baseball Over Other Sports

Harrelson originally planned on playing football at the University of Georgia and had already accepted a scholarship. Football was his favorite, and he looked good on the field.

But his mom worried about money and nudged him toward baseball, thinking it offered a better shot at a stable future.

Two teams came calling: the Kansas City Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers dangled a bigger bonus, but Harrelson signed with Kansas City.

Scout Clyde Kluttz convinced him Kansas City could get him to the majors faster. That was the clincher for Ken.

His choice showed a practical side—he saw sports as both a passion and a way to help his family.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Ken Harrelson played nine seasons in the Majors from 1963 to 1971. He hit .239 with 131 home runs and 421 RBI in 900 games.

He suited up for four American League teams. His 1968 All-Star season with the Boston Red Sox—when he led the majors in RBI—stood out as his best.

Debut and Early Years With Kansas City Athletics

Harrelson broke into the majors on June 9, 1963, with the Kansas City Athletics at age 21. As a right-handed first baseman and outfielder from Woodruff, South Carolina, he spent his first three full seasons sharpening his skills in Kansas City.

From 1963 to 1966, Harrelson established himself as a power hitter. He played mostly first base and right field, learning how to face big-league pitching.

The young slugger showed flashes of home run power. His Kansas City years gave him the experience he’d need for success later on.

Harrelson kept improving year by year, learning the ropes of pro baseball while holding down a regular spot in the Athletics’ lineup.

Transition to Washington Senators

In 1966, Harrelson landed with the Washington Senators during his Kansas City run. That was his first taste of life with another American League organization.

The Senators gave him steady playing time. He kept splitting his time between first base and the outfield while getting used to a new clubhouse.

His stint in Washington lasted through 1967. That experience gave him a new perspective on how different teams develop players.

He briefly went back to Kansas City in 1967. That kind of team-hopping was pretty common for players trying to stick in the majors.

His Washington years were a stepping stone, prepping him for bigger opportunities coming up.

Key Seasons With Boston Red Sox

Harrelson joined the Boston Red Sox in 1967, right after he called Athletics owner Charlie Finley “a menace to baseball” following the firing of manager Alvin Dark. He denied saying those exact words, but the team released him, and Boston signed him to a strong contract.

He filled in for the injured Tony Conigliaro and helped the Red Sox grab their first pennant since 1946. The team made it to the World Series but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

1968 was Harrelson’s career year. He made the American League All-Star team, hit a personal best of 35 home runs, and led all of MLB with 109 RBIs.

He finished third in American League MVP voting that year, behind Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain and teammate Bill Freehan.

Harrelson’s time in Boston cemented his status as one of the league’s top power hitters. His RBI numbers showed he could drive in runs when it counted.

Trade to Cleveland Indians

On April 19, 1969, Boston traded Harrelson, Dick Ellsworth, and Juan Pizarro to the Cleveland Indians for Sonny Siebert, Vicente Romo, and Joe Azcue. Harrelson immediately announced his retirement, saying his business interests made moving impossible.

His agent Bob Woolf claimed leaving Boston would cost Harrelson “between half a million and three quarter of a million dollars.” After talks with commissioner Bowie Kuhn and some tweaks to his contract, Harrelson changed his mind.

He debuted for the Indians on April 24, going 2-for-4 with a triple in his first at-bat in an 11-3 loss to the Yankees. Harrelson wrapped up 1969 with 30 home runs and a personal-best 99 walks.

A broken leg in spring training 1970 knocked him out for most of that season. When rookie Chris Chambliss took over first base in 1971, Harrelson decided to retire mid-season and chase a career in pro golf.

Standout Performances and Career Highlights

Ken Harrelson’s nine-year MLB run included some big moments, like leading the American League in RBIs in 1968 and helping the Boston Red Sox reach the World Series.

His best year came in 1968, when he hit 35 home runs, drove in 109 runs, made the All-Star team, and finished third in MVP voting.

Breakout 1968 Season: The Year of the Pitcher

Harrelson’s best season came in 1968, also known as the “Year of the Pitcher” because hurlers dominated that summer. Despite the tough offensive climate, he put up career-high numbers that made him one of the league’s top sluggers.

He belted 35 home runs and led all of MLB with 109 RBIs. That kind of production was even more impressive since league-wide batting averages dipped to .230.

He earned a spot on the American League All-Star team and finished third in MVP voting.

Only two players from the Tigers finished ahead of him—pitcher Denny McLain and catcher Bill Freehan.

World Series Appearance

Harrelson played a key role in the Boston Red Sox’s 1967 “Impossible Dream” season. He joined the club after Kansas City let him go, following some controversial comments about the team.

Boston signed him to replace the injured Tony Conigliaro. Harrelson’s arrival helped the Red Sox win their first pennant since 1946.

That run electrified New England. Harrelson contributed both at the plate and in the field as Boston battled through a tight pennant race.

The Red Sox reached the World Series but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Even though they fell short, Harrelson’s efforts that year remain a career highlight.

Notable Career Stats: RBI, Home Runs, WAR

Harrelson put up solid power numbers in his nine MLB seasons. He finished with 131 home runs and 421 RBIs over 900 games.

His career batting average, .239, reflected how tough pitchers were in that era. He racked up 703 hits and scored 374 runs while playing for four teams.

Career Stats:

• Batting Average: .239
• Home Runs: 131
• RBIs: 421
• Career WAR: 6.57
• Games Played: 900

His best power year after Boston came in 1969 with Cleveland, when he hit 30 home runs. He also drew a career-high 99 walks that season, showing more patience at the plate.

Awards and All-Star Selection

Harrelson’s monster 1968 earned him his only All-Star Game nod. That was the year he led the majors in RBIs.

His American League RBI title in 1968 was probably his biggest individual honor. Driving in 109 runs in a pitcher’s year was no small feat.

He also finished third in MVP voting that season, behind two Tigers from the championship squad.

Years after his playing days, Harrelson picked up the Ford C. Frick Award in 2019 for his work as a broadcaster. While that prize recognized his media career, it showed his influence on baseball lasted well past his time on the field.

The Hawk: Persona and Playing Style

Ken Harrelson earned the nickname “The Hawk” in a locker room exchange that stuck for life. His flashy personality and solid play in right field turned him into a fan favorite during his nine years in the big leagues.

Origin of the Hawk Nickname

The “Hawk” nickname started in 1959 during a Gulf Coast Instructional League game in Florida. His teammate Dick Howser began calling him “Henrietta Hawk,” poking fun at his nose, which had been broken a few times.

Harrelson didn’t appreciate the teasing, especially while he was slumping at the plate. He finally told Howser, “Hey Slick, why don’t you lay off?”

Howser shot back, “I’ll lay off when you get a hit.”

The next day, Harrelson cracked two home runs. Howser dropped the “Henrietta,” and “Hawk” became his permanent moniker.

After the 1964 season, Harrelson played winter ball in Venezuela and really leaned into “The Hawk” persona. His teammate Billy Bryan called him “a character”—a great pool player, arm-wrestler, and a fun roommate.

The Hawk persona became more than just a nickname. Harrelson realized it could help him earn money and connect with fans all over the American League.

Right Fielder and On-Field Reputation

Harrelson mostly played as a right fielder and first baseman from 1963 to 1971. In 1968 with the Boston Red Sox, he led the American League with 109 RBIs, which really stands out in his career.

The Red Sox brought in Harrelson in 1967 after Tony Conigliaro got beaned and couldn’t play. Boston needed someone with power in right field, and Harrelson stepped up during their pennant-winning run.

His batting style? It was good, though maybe not jaw-dropping. He hit 23 home runs in 1965 with Kansas City, then peaked at 30 home runs in 1968. That same year, he managed to steal 17 bases, which was his personal best.

Besides the numbers, Harrelson brought a lot of personality and leadership to the clubhouse. He helped ease the load on guys like Carl Yastrzemski during Boston’s wild 1967 season.

Key Innovation: In 1963, Harrelson started wearing a batting glove after getting blisters from golfing. He just wore his golf gloves at the plate, and soon enough, his teammates followed along.

Final Playing Years and Retirement in 1971

Ken Harrelson’s last seasons with the Cleveland Indians took a tough turn after a devastating injury. He broke his leg during spring training in 1970, which kept him out for most of the year. When he returned, he found himself fighting for first base against rookie Chris Chambliss.

Injuries and Competition With Chris Chambliss

On March 19, 1970, during spring training, Harrelson broke his leg sliding into second base in an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics. That injury put him out for almost the entire 1970 season.

He came back in September and played just 17 games. Missing so much time really hurt his momentum.

By the start of 1971, Harrelson faced off with rookie Chris Chambliss for the first base job. Chambliss had caught the Indians’ attention while Harrelson was recovering.

Through 52 games in June 1971, Harrelson just couldn’t get it going at the plate. He batted only .199—way below his career average of .239.

His struggles and the long recovery made his spot on the team shaky.

Decision to Retire and Pursue Professional Golf

With his performance slipping and Chambliss taking over, Harrelson decided to retire from baseball in the middle of the 1971 season. He was just 29.

His last MLB game was on June 20, 1971, against the Detroit Tigers. He went 0-for-3 in that final appearance.

Instead of pushing through more struggles, Harrelson switched gears and went after a career in professional golf. He’d always loved golf, and honestly, he figured he had a better shot there.

Retiring early showed both his competitive drive and some business sense. He didn’t see much upside in sticking around baseball while things weren’t working out.

Post-Baseball Career and Legacy

After he hung up his cleats in 1971, Ken Harrelson jumped into broadcasting and later took on executive roles with the Chicago White Sox. He even served as the team’s general manager in 1986, making some bold moves like firing manager Tony La Russa and trading away Bobby Bonilla, who’d become an All-Star.

Transition to Broadcasting and White Sox Broadcaster

Harrelson started broadcasting in 1975 with the Boston Red Sox on WSBK-TV, working with Dick Stockton. He really clicked with Ned Martin in 1979, and fans seemed to like that pairing.

In 1982, he joined the Chicago White Sox as a broadcaster after leaving Boston due to disagreements with co-owner Haywood Sullivan. They just didn’t see eye to eye.

After a short time as an executive, Harrelson went back to the White Sox broadcast booth in 1990. He stayed as the main TV announcer for almost 30 years. People knew him for his unique “Hawkisms”—catch phrases like “You can put it on the board! Yes!” for home runs, and “He gone!” for strikeouts.

He got some heat for being so openly biased toward the White Sox, but he still picked up five Emmy Awards and two Illinois Sportscaster of the Year honors.

Broadcasting Timeline:

• 1975-1981: Boston Red Sox
• 1982-1985: Chicago White Sox (first stint)
• 1987-1988: New York Yankees
• 1990-2018: Chicago White Sox (main career)

In 2020, he received the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting.

Brief Tenure as White Sox General Manager

On October 2, 1985, the White Sox named Harrelson executive vice president of baseball operations. They reassigned general manager Roland Hemond, so Harrelson basically took over as GM until Tom Haller arrived in June 1986.

Harrelson’s time as an executive stirred up plenty of controversy. In July 1986, he traded rookie Bobby Bonilla to the Pirates for pitcher José DeLeón. Bonilla went on to become a six-time All-Star.

He also fired assistant GM Dave Dombrowski in June 1986. Dombrowski later became the youngest GM in baseball with the Montreal Expos.

The White Sox finished 72-90 in 1986, landing 20 games behind the division-winning California Angels.

Harrelson stepped down from his executive post on September 26, 1986, just before the season ended. That short stint really showed how tough it can be to jump from the broadcast booth to the front office.

Connections With Tony LaRussa and Alvin Dark

Harrelson’s career crossed paths with two big-name managers at some pretty crucial times. He actually knew manager Alvin Dark from his days playing with the Kansas City Athletics.

Back in 1967, reporters quoted Harrelson as calling Athletics owner Charlie Finley “a menace to baseball” after Dark got let go. Harrelson later insisted he never said “menace,” but the team still released him, and he ended up signing with the Boston Red Sox.

Fast forward to 1986, and Harrelson, now an executive, fired manager Tony La Russa in June. Oakland didn’t waste any time—La Russa landed with the Athletics and found major success there.

La Russa’s Post-White Sox Success:

• Took Oakland to three World Series (1988-1990)
• Won the championship in 1989
• Later managed the St. Louis Cardinals to two more World Series titles

People really criticized Harrelson for letting La Russa go. Honestly, when you look at La Russa’s Hall of Fame career, it’s tough not to question that decision.

Those moves pretty much summed up Harrelson’s short and rocky time running baseball operations.