Ed Farmer Was Also The Voice Of Papa Hops Softball

CHICAGO — The late Ed Farmer, who died Wednesday night in Los Angeles at age 70, will forever be remembered as the radio voice of the Chicago White Sox. He called games on the air for the South Side's team for nearly 30 years after an 11-year playing career that also included a stop in Chicago. But his voice was also used to promote a popular yearly softball tournament right here in the 19th Ward.

A South Side native who grew up near 79th and Francisco in the St. Thomas More parish, Farmer narrated two videos to promote the Papa Hops 16'' Softball Tournament in 2018 and 2019. The tournament, a midsummer classic, pays tribute to the late neighborhood resident Tom Hopkins and raises money for local families dealing with cancer and youth athletic programs at local Catholic elementary schools.

Liam Hopkins, founder of the Papa Hops tournament named in memory of his dad, said his mother works at St. Rita High School, of where Farmer is an alum.

"He would often visit and talk with her," Hopkins said. "He was a very genuine guy who always took care of others. He also sponsored our tournament pretty much every year."

Farmer's voice perfectly described the essence of Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park in a video promoting the 2018 Papa Hops tournament.

"The neighborhoods of Beverly, Mt. Greenwood and Morgan Park are far from Chicago's iconic skyline and scenic lakefront... These are communities of world class families, where police officers, firefighters, teachers and union laborers call home.

"A place where neighbors come together to share stories with friends, pray for the sick, make meals for those who are struggling and shovel snow for the elderly."

Have a listen: