The Chicago White Sox have hit a prolonged dry spell as a franchise. The South Siders haven’t made the playoffs since 2008 and they haven’t had a winning season since 2012. In 2013, the Sox lost 99 games and this year they are currently a game in front of the Phillies for the mark of the worst record in baseball at 42-68.
If there’s one thing the White Sox have excelled at in the last few seasons, it’s close losses. And if there’s one thing that close White Sox losses mean, it’s getting to witness Hawk Harrelson having his heart ripped out of his chest for the entire world to see.
There’s nothing quite like hearing Harrelson call a White Sox walkoff defeat. The 2013 season featured a number of them. Given Harrelson’s reputation as one of the biggest home team cheerleaders in the history of sports broadcasting, it seems especially cruel and unusual that the White Sox have seemingly lost so many games via the walkoff in recent times.
Andrew Vargha has put together a collection of the calls on YouTube and it’s something to behold. You can tell the losses that really get to Hawk because he can’t even get out his dejected “This ballgame is ovah” catchphrase for some of the more painful ones.
Maybe it’s best for Hawk’s own personal health and well-being that next season will be the last one he has to subject himself to this pain and agony… at least on television. We’re sure he’ll still be living and dying with the Sox while watching at home.
[YouTube]
