Page 254 - 1975 BoSox

’75—THE RED SOX TEAM THAT SAVED BASEBALL 247
persona to utilize for monetary purposes—though that was a very nice side e ect— e Hawk was some- thing that gave Harrelson, someone who always thought of himself as an overachiever, support when he was behind or slumping. He credits the fans with “bringing e Hawk to the forefront,” and maintains that he never could have been successful in baseball without e Hawk backing him up.
In 1967, the fans were behind Ken Harrelson—and e Hawk—all the way, and the now-happy out elder helped the Red Sox take the pennant. Besides being a solid out elder, he was also a great clubhouse in u- ence who could take the strain of a pennant race o other players, players like Carl Yastrzemski. Especially Carl Yastrzemski. In 1967, Yaz was, as Harrelson wrote in his book, “the greatest ballplayer who ever lived, in fact or ction. Compared to him [ ctional sports hero] Frank Merriwell was a piker.” Harrelson provided a great help in taking the press load o the media- conscious Yaz. Like every other member of the 1967 team maintains, Harrelson recalls the Red Sox as having a great year, a magical, unbelievable, impossible year. Everyone did their part, even self-proclaimed Johnny-come-latelies like e Hawk. Harrelson did not have a good World Series, and the Red Sox lost in seven games. In the clubhouse immediately after the nal game, Harrelson would nally lose his com- posure, sobbing uncontrollably as the victorious St. Louis Cardinals celebrated just down the hall. Harrelson had not played his best with the Red Sox, hitting just .200 with only 14 RBIs, and though Hawk had knocked out some clutch hits, including a key RBI in their October 1, pennant-clinching game, it was a de nite possibility that his poor play would result in a trade.
Despite the rumored trade o ers, by the spring of 1968, e Hawk was ying high. Harrelson had es- tablished himself as one of the baseball’s best golfers, and won a number of golf tournaments in the o sea- son.14 As soon as spring training started however, e Hawk totally dedicated himself to getting ready for a good year, and even gave away his clubs so he could focus on baseball.15
Red Sox fans, many of whom were initially upset at the thought of Harrelson replacing their beloved Conigliaro, had begun to open their arms to their amboyant right elder. Nonetheless, rookie Joe Lahoud was showing some promise in right, and with George Scott already at rst base, Harrelson’s second position, trade rumors regarding e Hawk abounded. Fortunately for Harrelson—and, as it would turn out, the Red Sox—Conigliaro’s injury still prevented him from playing and Lahoud proved to still be too young. Shortly after Opening Day, it became clear that the Hawk would roost in right eld at Fenway for at least one more season.
e 1968 season would become known as “ e Year of the Pitcher,” and in the American League, Detroit Tigers right-hander Denny McLain won 31 games and the MVP award. But despite the mastery of pitching that year, the Hawk excelled.16 e Red Sox won no pennant in 1968, but Harrelson helped keep them competitive. He valued runs batted in above all other measures of individual success, and leading the league in RBIs in 1968 with 109 is something he remains proud of more than 40 years later.
Again and again, e Hawk picked up the Sox, seem- ingly always getting a big hit when one was most needed. He hit 35 home runs during the season, 13 of them game-winners. Harrelson was enjoying Boston immensely and playing better than he ever had before, and his e usive, explosive alter-ego, e Hawk, was having the time of his life, earning more money then he ever had before—and spending that money just as quickly, which only helped build the “Hawk” persona.
e Hawk had become more than just a nickname, it was now a commodity, and lavish possessions prolifer- ated. A lavender dune-buggy. A sandwich shop, an insurance company and travel agency. A song by a popular Boston band entitled “Don’t Walk e Hawk.” e emblem “Hawk” embroidered on every piece of clothing, including his trademark Nehru jackets. He attended an Academy of Professional Sports Show that was televised from Hollywood—and, reportedly, his attire made the movie stars “look like rag pickers.”17 e Hawk loved the attention, but Harrelson was