Longtime White Sox broadcaster and former MLB pitcher Ed Farmer passed away Wednesday night at the age of 70.
Ed shared about his love of baseball and his hometown team with SoxTV last year. pic.twitter.com/3cNhJb8Je2
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 2, 2020
Farmer died because of complications from a previous illness. White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said the following.
Ed Farmer died in a Los Angeles-area hospital of complications from a previous illness.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 2, 2020
“Ed Farmer was the radio voice of the White Sox for three decades, and he called no-hitters, perfect games and of course, a World Series championship,” Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said.
"Ed grew up a Sox fan on the south side of Chicago and his allegiance showed every single night on the radio as he welcomed his ‘friends’ to the broadcast. I am truly devastated by the loss of my friend.”
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 2, 2020
The baseball community has been mourning the death of Farmer.
Never known anyone like him. Truly I haven't. And there isn't a chance on Earth I ever will again. Ed Farmer was generous. He cared about people. He was funny, often times on purpose. He knew everybody. I think, literally, everybody. Goodbye, friend. pic.twitter.com/Ripm6ao2t8
— Chris Rongey (@ChrisRongey) April 2, 2020
I'm a wreck today after hearing about the loss of friend and colleague, Ed Farmer. As a Baseball broadcaster, Ed had always been a part of my life as a White Sox fan, but then I had the honor of working with him. A true individual and Chicago guy whose door was open in any town. pic.twitter.com/bylviDOjNF
— Chris Tannehill (@ChrisTannehill) April 2, 2020
The @whitesox radio booth was always filled to the brim with guests.
— Jason Benetti (@jasonbenetti) April 2, 2020
Ed Farmer was such a loyal, welcoming friend. Scores of people have lost a piece of their heart, including me.
Very sad news this morning as #WhiteSox radio voice Ed Farmer passed away last night. If you ever had a chance to meet him, you know he had a story for you. Here’s my story on Ed: https://t.co/DL1MTj92GB
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 2, 2020
Ed Farmer was also one of the best baseball broadcasters I’ve ever heard. No game I ever heard him do was boring or slow – even if he was complaining with a chuckle that it was boring or slow. https://t.co/J9rddl24lq
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) April 2, 2020
Truly sad news about the passing of Ed Farmer. A great man, a real baseball character who enjoyed every minute of life. I'll miss talking baseball, talking about life and of course Notre Dame-Michigan football. He loved Notre Dame football among the many things he loved.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 2, 2020
Woke up today and learned my good friend, Ed Farmer, the radio voice of WhiteSox, has passed away. Ed was a great teammate and one of the nicest guys I’ve had the privilege to know. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
— Larry Bowa (@LarryBowa10) April 2, 2020
You dream to play for your hometown team…rep them in an All-Star Game and get one of the sport’s all-time greats—say, Pete Rose—to GIDP with the bases loaded…then, you broadcast your team’s games for three decades.
— Stephen Nelson (@StephenNelson) April 2, 2020
That dream was Ed Farmer’s life. RIP to a South Side legend. https://t.co/ktpLwsVaOW
Ed Farmer was kind, welcoming, and a conversational pleasure from the very first moment we met. His booth was literally always open; couldn’t resist a visit every time I was on press level. What a sweet, good man. R.I.P.
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) April 2, 2020
Working w/Ed Farmer was a treat; he had great stories and always could make us laugh. @ChrisTannehill @Ecnerwal23 and I have been to many Sox road games & we’d often get a credential to spend some time catching up with Ed and DJ in the booth. Rest In Peace, Ed. pic.twitter.com/Oe2zOp8TYO
— Brendan McCaffrey (@b_mccaffrey) April 2, 2020
Hawk on Ed Farmer, the pitcher: "He’s one of the toughest guys I ever played with. That’s one of the reasons everybody loved him. He was just a tough guy and a great competitor. At one time he had as good of a curve ball, fastball combo as anybody in the game."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 2, 2020
Ed Farmer was incredibly funny, deeply knowledgeable, and intense in his love of baseball. Loved talking with him. What awful news.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 2, 2020
Sorry to hear the news of the passing of long time #WhiteSox announcer Ed Farmer. May you #RIP
— Eduardo Perez (@PerezEd) April 2, 2020
Ed Farmer was all class. Wanted to help everyone. Brought the donuts to the ballpark on Sundays. Hated my coffee cake. Everyone was welcome in his booth. He loved talking to anyone. Taking pictures. I will miss him. #RIP https://t.co/cpqUTnPoSO
— Mark Carman (@thecarm) April 2, 2020
He was a terrific scout with humor. We were in the 4th row in Anaheim when Junior Felix hit a homer into the upper CF stands. As he rounded the bases, Farmer said, "if that's Junior Felix, I want to see Senior Felix."
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) April 2, 2020
My relationship with Ed Farmer began on my first game as an @whitesox intern, Opening Day 1981. Farmeo walked up to this nervous 20YO, introduced himself & said "I'll help you with anything you need, I remember what my first day was like." And he did. Loved working with him. 💔
— Dan Evans (@DanEvans108) April 2, 2020
Statement from Darrin Jackson on Ed Farmer's passing: "“My heart is broken, but my mind is at peace knowing my dear friend is no longer suffering. Ed was a competitor who also was everyone’s best friend…..
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 2, 2020
More from DJ on Ed Farmer: "I saw first-hand how hard Ed fought each and every day and season after season to keep himself healthy and prepared to broadcast White Sox baseball. I first got to know Ed during my time in Chicago as a player and am honored to have been his friend ..
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 2, 2020
More from DJ on Ed Farmer: "..and radio partner. My heart goes out to Barbara and Shanda, the only people he loved more than the White Sox and his hometown of Chicago.”
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 2, 2020
RIP Ed Farmer, great White Sox and baseball lifer who valiantly battled illness for decades. Good man. https://t.co/s8VdSxiuhB
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 2, 2020
Sad news about White Sox radio play-by-play man Ed Farmer, who died Wednesday. Farmio knew everybody. He could line you up with Mexican food in Orange County or a tour of the White House in DC. A unique character, for sure. RIP man.
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) April 2, 2020
Here’s what I’ll remember about Farmio: 1980 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, the AL pitchers are Steve Stone, Tommy John, Dave Stieb, Goose Gossage … and Ed Farmer. He ended his outing by getting Pete Rose to ground into a double play.
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) April 2, 2020
Ed Farmer had a big heart and never forgot a name. There are many incredible stories about Ed, but I'll always remember that outside of his wife Barbara and daughter Shanda, he had an incredible passion for the White Sox and Notre Dame football. RIP, Farmio. pic.twitter.com/5yyD4k5Lfr
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) April 2, 2020
Ed Farmer will be remembered as a legend in Chicago and throughout the @MLB family. Beloved in South Bend, too. An ambassador for the game and city he loved. He’s one of the all-time greats. My condolences are with his family and the @whitesox organization. @NotreDame 🙏 https://t.co/04bkIbQa2X
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 2, 2020
One of the most beloved voices in sports. A Chicago kid who got to live out his dream of playing for his beloved @whitesox. One of the funniest guys you’d ever meet. Ed will be missed by the entire #MLB Family. #RIP #LightItUp https://t.co/sQOdQLi7wS
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) April 2, 2020
Farmio….he always had a perfect way of articulating everything he narrated on and off the field. Will miss him and the moments we shared off the field. Always authentic, fully himself in every situation. https://t.co/plDoA4xyhk
— Gordon Beckham (@gordonbeckham) April 2, 2020
My heart is broken…I called him Uncle Ed…a man who taught me so much on and off the field as well as broadcasting. Drafted me out of college when he was with the @Orioles and always enjoyed our talks when we played the @whitesox …Uncle Ed..RIP… I love you! #SaltOfTheEarth https://t.co/kN7wygMRyK
— Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) April 2, 2020
Ed was always so kind to me. He’d come over to my locker grab a chair and talk about anything with me. He had a confidence that I loved. I will miss you Ed! https://t.co/sptxWTT2BZ
— Brent Lillibridge (@BSLillibridge) April 2, 2020
He was the best. Gonna miss him dearly. Amazing man
— Matt Davidson (@matt_davidson24) April 2, 2020
So many great moments. So many great calls.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 2, 2020
RIP Farmio. pic.twitter.com/KYilPSPbAX
Farmer was born on Oct. 18, 1949, and attended St. Rita High School on the southwest side of Chicago. He was picked by the Indians in the fifth round of the 1967 MLB draft. Farmer also pitched for the Tigers, Orioles, Brewers, Rangers, White Sox, A’s and Phillies. Following his playing career Farmer was a scout for the Orioles and then joined the White Sox radio booth in 1991, broadcasting games on the South Side through the 2019 season.
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