Ed Farmer, White Sox Broadcaster for Nearly 30 Years, Passes Away at Age 70

Ed Farmer was a member of the Chicago White Sox radio broadcast since 1992. He was beloved for his passion, sense of humor and welcoming presence.

On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox announced the passing of Ed Farmer, who was the team's radio broadcaster for nearly 30 seasons. He was 70 years old.

We mourn the death of Ed Farmer who passed away Wednesday night.

Farmer worked as a radio broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox for nearly 30 years, played 11 seasons in the major leagues, including three with his hometown White Sox, and was a strong advocate for organ donation. pic.twitter.com/wx7itjfEYk

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 2, 2020

Farmer dealt with kidney disease for most of his life and died in a Los Angeles-area hospital due to "complications from a previous illness," according to Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune.

Farmer spent 11 seasons in the majors as a pitcher, including two years with the White Sox from 1980-81. In 1980, he saved 30 games and made his only All-Star team.

Farmer began working as a full-time radio announcer for the White Sox in 1992 and became the team's play-by-play announcer in 2006. He was renowned for his passion, sense of humor and welcoming presence.

“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,” White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said. “I am truly devastated by the loss of my friend.”

Darrin Jackson, Farmer's radio partner for the past 11 seasons, called Farmer “a competitor who also was everyone’s best friend.”

White Sox television play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti described Farmer as a "loyal, welcoming friend. Scores of people have lost a piece of their heart, including me."

Others across the baseball world shared their thoughts on Farmer's passing:

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

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

Ed Farmer broke the mold. I never met anyone like him.

He was a Chicago native who lived out his childhood dream of playing for the White Sox. https://t.co/fJxeCrkK0a

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) April 2, 2020

RIP Ed Farmer! I spent so many years with you and you constant humor! Thanks for always taking time to say hello to my family and friends. You were one of a kind and you will be missed by all of us! God bless you family Farmio!

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) April 2, 2020

Rest In Peace Eddie boy. You always made me laugh when I had my time with @whitesox Your stories were priceless and you always told me straight up how you felt. I loved every second of it. Watch over us buddy pic.twitter.com/xNxStSaHNT

— Todd Frazier (@FlavaFraz21) April 2, 2020

RIP Ed. One of the funniest people in the game, and one of my all-time favorites. https://t.co/yQpM7x5Zm4

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 2, 2020

Farmer suffered from polycystic kidney disease for years, a condition that causes cysts to form primarily around the kidneys and impacts their functionality. His mother, Marylin, died from the disease at age 38, when Farmer was 17.

Farmer is survived by his wife, Barbara, and daughter, Shanda. The team announced donations can be made in Farmer's named to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation.