Is Hawk Harrelson going to cut back schedule in 2015?

I caught up with White Sox TV broadcaster Ken "Hawk" Harrelson shortly after the 2011 season ended, and we talked about the four-year contract extension he had recently signed.

At the time, Harrelson was actually looking forward to his next multiyear deal with the Sox, even though he will be 74 years old when his current contract expires after the 2015 season.

"If I had my druthers I'd just like to die in the booth," Harrelson said with typical aplomb. "That would be my ultimate way to go. I love what I do now more than I ever have. There was a time, seven or eight years ago, when I was thinking about retiring. My wife (Aris) and I had a long talk about it.

"After we had the talk it left my mind and I just have never revisited it. It's something I want to do as long as I possibly can."

Harrelson is still going strong, but as he nears the end of his 30th season in the White Sox' broadcast booth, he's considering an adjustment.

He told WSCR's Bruce Levine he is seriously thinking about reducing his road game schedule next year.

"I really don't want to miss my grandkids growing up," said Harrelson, who lives in Granger, Ind., during the season. "They are old enough now to know I am known by a lot of people and they really kind of like that. I have a

10-year-old and 7-year-old playing ball in South Bend, and I am missing a lot of it.

"If I told you I was not thinking about (cutting back) I would be lying. I am thinking about it. I have not made a decision, but it will be one that my family will help me with."

Harrelson declined to speak with reporters before Friday's White Sox-Tigers game at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Sox issued a statement later Friday:

"Similar to past seasons, after the 2014 season ends Hawk will talk with his family and members of the White Sox front office and a collective decision will be made in terms of his 2015 schedule, which could be no change or altering his schedule."

Reducing the heavy workload of a long major-league season has become popular with older broadcasters like Vin Scully, Bob Uecker and Mike Shannon.

As for his potential replacement, ex-White Sox players Tom Paciorek and Mike Huff have both filled in for Harrelson in recent years when he's been under the weather or had a family commitment.

Looking into the future, would the Sox turn to A.J. Pierzynski after he retires? The controversial catcher has postseason broadcasting experience, but earlier this season Pierzynski said he'd likely want to be at home with his family when his playing days end.