My one Ed Farmer complaint

[HomeFish]

For years I have defended Ed Farmer at WSI when others have criticized him. There have been times where I felt that I was the only person in a 100+ post thread defending Ed Farmer.

The truth is, I find Ed Farmer's quirks to be amusing. I laugh hard whenever he goes on a tangent about the animals he saw while playing golf, or when he goes into a rant about how players shouldn't wear sunglasses on their hats. These things, objectively, don't belong in a radio broadcast of a ballgame -- but that is exactly what makes it funny to me.

A few years ago, Farmer started saying "Light it up!" when the Sox hit an HR. I believe that this started in 2005, and what happened was that Rooney would call the HR, and at some point Farmer would yell "Light it up!" Now Farmer does it as part of his HR call. My issue is that even when he is calling an away game, he says light it up. Light up what? The scoreboard doesn't light up when we hit a HR at an away park.

Farmer should come up with a different HR call to use at away games. Any suggestions?

[MarySwiss]

For years I have defended Ed Farmer at WSI when others have criticized him. There have been times where I felt that I was the only person in a 100+ post thread defending Ed Farmer.

The truth is, I find Ed Farmer's quirks to be amusing. I laugh hard whenever he goes on a tangent about the animals he saw while playing golf, or when he goes into a rant about how players shouldn't wear sunglasses on their hats. These things, objectively, don't belong in a radio broadcast of a ballgame -- but that is exactly what makes it funny to me.

A few years ago, Farmer started saying "Light it up!" when the Sox hit an HR. I believe that this started in 2005, and what happened was that Rooney would call the HR, and at some point Farmer would yell "Light it up!" Now Farmer does it as part of his HR call. My issue is that even when he is calling an away game, he says light it up. Light up what? The scoreboard doesn't light up when we hit a HR at an away park.

Farmer should come up with a different HR call to use at away games. Any suggestions?

"Too bad we're not home, so we could light it up"? :smile:

[Sockinchisox]

"You can put it on th....."

Oh wait.

[JoeClutch24]

You still have to light up the number on the away scoreboard.

[HomeFish]

You still have to light up the number on the away scoreboard.

I guess so -- unless we are playing a team with a non-electronic scoreboard, which we do at least 6-9 times a year.

But I've always thought "light it up" referred to the ring of lights around the US Cellular scoreboard, as well as the fireworks, rather than the actual numbers on the scoreboard. But you are right that these do literally "light up".

[soxpride724]

I like Ed Farmer, always have. But, he seems to treat Stoney like a newb. I know he's new to radio, but c'mon the guys been doing broadcasting for a long time.
Great team though!

[Fenway]

“It could be ... It might be

:tongue:

[103 screwball]

Light up a big El Duque World Series victory cigar?

[Frontman]

Well, maybe Ed's telling the staff at USCF to light up the scoreboard, as they do watch the broadcasts for away games.

But he's on the radio.


Ok, I'll admit, I got nothing.

[HomeFish]

One thing I've noticed with Ed and Steve is that Ed will often try to engage Steve in a conversation about Steve's career, and Steve will refuse. Farmer will then awkwardly change the subject.

For instance:

Farmer: Has there ever been a guy that you just couldn't get out?
Steve: Yeah, there have been a lot.
***5 seconds of silence***
Farmer: Magglio has his sunglasses on his hat. I'm not a fan of that one, folks. What good are your sunglasses going to do on your hat?

or

Ed Farmer: Have any good pickoff stories?
Steve: I don't know.
***5 seconds of silence***
Farmer: And the Angels have scored two runs in the top of the inning at Minnesota.

[TDog]

If you have only one complaint with Ed Farmer, consider yourself lucky and enjoy the game.

[LoveYourSuit]

If you have only one complaint with Ed Farmer, consider yourself lucky and enjoy the game.


Took the words right out of my mouth.

His HR call is fine compared to all the rest.

[chisoxwschamps05]

One thing I've noticed with Ed and Steve is that Ed will often try to engage Steve in a conversation about Steve's career, and Steve will refuse. Farmer will then awkwardly change the subject.

For instance:

Farmer: Has there ever been a guy that you just couldn't get out?
Steve: Yeah, there have been a lot.
***5 seconds of silence***
Farmer: Magglio has his sunglasses on his hat. I'm not a fan of that one, folks. What good are your sunglasses going to do on your hat?

or

Ed Farmer: Have any good pickoff stories?
Steve: I don't know.
***5 seconds of silence***
Farmer: And the Angels have scored two runs in the top of the inning at Minnesota.
:rolling:
That cracked me up. That was the funniest line I've read on here all day.

[Frontman]

I do think they get along, especially when talking about how good they both were as batters:

"Well Ed, I do believe that the Designated Hitter was introduced to the American League after they saw how bad my swing was."

But yeah, there sometimes is un-easy radio. Stoney is just professional enough to keep the game moving.

[stockonline2]

I bought Gameday Audio for mlb.com so I have been listening to a ton of games so far this year. Let me tell you something - we have a great broadcast team.

Farmer is a unique and insightful announcer who is nothing like the unenthusiastic and "cookie-cutter" voices that most other teams have in the booth.

Without Farmer, Sox radio just wouldn't be the same.

[FedEx227]

I bought Gameday Audio for mlb.com so I have been listening to a ton of games so far this year. Let me tell you something - we have a great broadcast team.

Farmer is a unique and insightful announcer who is nothing like the unenthusiastic and "cookie-cutter" voices that most other teams have in the booth.

Without Farmer, Sox radio just wouldn't be the same.

Yeah, it'd be good.

[Kilroy]

Yeah, it'd be good.

Come on... There's nothing wrong w/ Farmio's call. Is he the best?? Probably not even close. But he does the job, is entertaining at times, and he's about 1000 times better than 2 other twits that do Chicago baseball radio.

[Carolina Kenny]

I guess so -- unless we are playing a team with a non-electronic scoreboard, which we do at least 6-9 times a year.

But I've always thought "light it up" referred to the ring of lights around the US Cellular scoreboard, as well as the fireworks, rather than the actual numbers on the scoreboard. But you are right that these do literally "light up".

I always thought it meant to light one up. If you've gottem, smoke em.

[doublem23]

I don't know about you guys but whenever someone on the Sox hits a home run, I run outside and blow **** up.

[FedEx227]

Come on... There's nothing wrong w/ Farmio's call. Is he the best?? Probably not even close. But he does the job, is entertaining at times, and he's about 1000 times better than 2 other twits that do Chicago baseball radio.

I personally enjoy knowing the score or things going on in the game as opposed to hearing about St. Rita, Notre Dame and how he shot a 72 on the course earlier. But I guess I'm old fashioned.

[Dornado]

I just like it when Farmer says "He was looking for the local and got the express..."


I think he's got a great dry-wit to him... I can't think of many people I'd change radio booths with. Maybe Bob Uecker... that guy can still call a game.