Ken Harrelson and Pat Hughes named Frick Award finalists

Former White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson and current Cubs play-by-play radio voice Pat Hughes are among eight finalists for the 2020 Ford C. Frick Award, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced Friday.

The award is presented each year for excellence in baseball broadcasting.

Harrelson, 78, and Hughes, 64, join Joe Castiglione, Jacques Doucet, Tom Hamilton, Ned Martin, Mike Shannon and Dewayne Staats as finalists.

In 2020, only major-league, team-specific broadcasters are eligible for the award, based on their commitment to excellence, quality of broadcasting abilities, reverence within the game, popularity with fans and recognition by peers. Candidates, active or retired, must have a minimum of 10 years of continuous major-league broadcast service with a ballclub, network or a combination of the two.

Harrelson was a 2007, 2014 and 2017 finalist. He retired from broadcasting after the 2018 season after serving as the voice of White Sox television for 33 seasons.

Hughes has called major-league games for 37 seasons, starting with the Twins in 1983. He worked Brewers games from 1984-95 before going to the Cubs radio booth in 1996.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 11 at baseball’s winter meetings in San Diego and honored during the July 24-27 Hall of Fame Weekend 2020 in Cooperstown. All candidates except Martin are living.