Ken Harrelson's surgery postponed till Thursday; White Sox broadcaster to miss more time

ARLINGTON, Texas — Ken Harrelson’s hiatus from the broadcast booth will extend into the White Sox homestand that begins this weekend.

Harrelson’s scheduled minor surgical procedure to repair nerve and muscle damage above one of his eyes was supposed to be last week but was delayed until Thursday, he said, because his doctor recommended both eyes get treated. The conditions stem from a fight during his playing days and from boxing when he was younger, Harrelson said.

Chuck Swirsky, who has replaced Harrelson alongside Steve Stone on the current 11-game, four-city road trip that concludes with games against the Rangers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, was told to be on standby for Friday’s game against the Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field. Saturday’s game is a national broadcast on FOX Sports. Beyond that, the Hawk’s schedule is unclear.

“I’m hoping to make the next road trip,” Harrelson, who is getting restless missing more games in one stretch than he has in his 31st year with the Sox, said by phone Tuesday. “Sitting on your hands is ridiculous. I’m going stir crazy.”

After the Tigers are in town this weekend, the Sox host the Houston Astros for three games early next week before going back on the road June 12.

Harrelson, 73, said he can’t get all of the TV broadcasts at his home in Indiana, so he has listened to Ed Farmer and Darrin Jackson on radio as well.

“Farmio and D.J., I laugh my butt off at them. They are entertaining,” Harrelson said.

Harrelson said he has enjoyed listening to Swirsky, the Bulls radio play-by-play announcer who is doing baseball for the first time in his broadcasting career — aside from a minor league game in 1979.

“It’s a different game. I think he’s doing a terrific job,” Harrelson said.

Harrelson also said he’s encouraged by the Sox improved play he’s seen of late while watching them on TV — they’ve won four of six and are 9-4 in their last 13 road games. But they went into Tuesday’s game in last place in the American League Central, a division Harrelson predicted the Sox would win back in spring training.

“Four and four is not bad,” he said. “I’m not backing off one bit from my prediction. We have a good ballclub and we’re going to be there at the end. The division is so tough, so nobody is going to run off. Kansas City hasn’t hit a slump yet and they will. Every team does. Don’t tell me the other teams don’t have holes. And we’re going to be there in September. The only way we don’t win this thing is if we don’t catch the ball.”

4-4 is not bad. I’m not backing off one bit from my prediction. We have a good ballclub and we’re going to be there at the end. The division is so tough and nobody is going to run off. Kansas City hasn’t hit a slump yet and they will. Every team does. And we’re going to be there in September. The only way we don’t win this thing is if we don’t catch the ball.”

We can win the son of a gun.

Harrleson says the Sox pitching is good enough to get it done. Tell me another team that doesn’t have holes.

It’s almost like plastic surgery. I told my doctor, just don’t make me look like

It’s going to be a different look but it